ICE's Esports Arena delivers insigh into the vertical

Clarion Gaming’s world-beating event, ICE Barcelona, has served as the basis for stakeholders and industry insiders to exchange know-how, dive into some of the most exciting trends, and explore new sector developments.

Esports competitions continue to demonstrate the sector’s potential

The ICE Esports Arena has helped contribute to stakeholders’ understanding of the exciting sector, and where the esports vertical is today. Commenting on this particular vertical, Clarion Gaming’s Will Harding explained that the Esports Arena and the Esports and Games Conference have been an important ambassador for the sector and helped better communicate what esports really is.

"There is still work to be done in helping regulators to better understand esports. That's why showcasing esports here atICEis so important - we're empowering people who are at the forefront of shaping regulatory policy," Harding noted.

The arena exhibits professional gaming competitions and shows the appeal of esports to the wider industry. This year, The Esports Arena hosted a Counter-Strike 2 competition with four world-ranked teams participating in the event. The winners – Team 500 from Bulgaria, secured the bulk of the $25,000 prize pool.

Harding spoke about the momentum that the Esports Arena has been gaining year in and year out. "In terms of attendees, we have a whole spectrum of people here, from those that are still shocked that computer games have anything to do with sports betting to those that have built incredible businesses around esports," he added.

Harding noted that thanks to the Esports Arena, certain visitors have realized that esports can be a vital part of their business, and a significant driver of revenue. While esports betting adoption has come in fits and starts – not least Entain’s own decision to scale back unikrn, its dedicated esports betting brand, Harding is confident that esports betting as a vertical is growing and will continue to do so.

Esports betting is only set to grow from here on in

The event was sponsored by Oddin.gg, a prominent tech supplier in the esports sector, which continues to be one of the driving forces behind the industry.

"Oddin.gg has been an excellent partner in realising the Esports Arena. Holding a professional esports tournament is a big endeavour. As our headline sponsor, Oddin.gg has played a key role in showcasing how the data and the odds work. They have helped complete the education journey," Harding argued paying praise to the company.

This year’s event results have only highlighted the need for the Esports Arena and The Esports and Games Conference in the coming years, Harding concluded.

Image credit: ICE 365