ESports has the potential to become a new sport at the Commonwealth Games in the future, and now it will be piloted at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Later this year, the 2022 Commonwealth Games will be the first attempt at esports, known as the Commonwealth Esports Championships, which will be held in conjunction with the 2022 Commonwealth Games. But at the same time it is also independent of the Commonwealth Games, with its own medals and organization, after all, it is only a separate event.
The event's success in attracting young spectators to the competition is a major factor in its ability to become a permanent event, with the Commonwealth Games Federation's internal hope that esports will be part of the entire event ahead of the 2026 Games, and Hamilton, Canada, the host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games, is also keen to include esports.
Rumor has it that dota2, a MOBA game developed by V, is expected to be one of three games in the Commonwealth Games esports pilot program, while the other two games may be announced soon.
Traditionally, sports include cycling, swimming, athletics, and many other optional sports. Currently, only athletics and swimming are mandatory. So even if esports were approved for the next Commonwealth Games, they might not appear in every subsequent Commonwealth Games.
In December 2021, Commonwealth Games chief executive Katie Sadleir said in an interview with the BBC that she was "open" to the idea of esports appearing at the Commonwealth Games.