Interest in esports is rapidly growing around the world. And in many countries, esports athletes are becoming officially-encouraged in their careers like never before. One country that has seen a rise in esports players and tournaments, and a more serious approach towards the industry, is Finland. Let’s find out more:
Finnish Esports Players Are Now Officially Recognised as Athletes
Throughout the world, esports has become more recognized as actual sports over the last decade. That helped Finland decide to officially-recognize professional esports players as athletes in 2017. That means esports players are athletes in the eyes of the taxman.
The ruling also means player’s wages and competition winnings now qualify for professional sports activities earnings, so that a portion of the income can be placed in a tax-free fund to be used when an athlete’s career comes to an end. Seeing as most esports players stop competing in their thirties, the news is a great help to professional esports athletes all over Finland.
Finnish Players Are Some of the Best in the World
Finland boasts some of the strongest esports players on the planet. For instance, JerAx ranks first for worldwide players of 1089 Dota 2, and he has won an incredible $6,469,215 throughout his Dota 2 career. Some of the top Counter-Strike players are Finnish as well.
Other top Finnish players include Lasse Aukusti Urpalainen, who has won $3,541,536, and Topias Taavitsainen, who has so far earned $2,290,122. As for group competitions, the highest-earning Finnish team is Team Gigantti, which has won more than $220,000.
With interest rising, it should come as no surprise to learn that fans now enjoy betting on eSports competitions online. For example, with platforms like Casumo casino’s sportsbook, Finnish sports fans can check out the latest odds, news and fixtures for a range of sports in advance.
The Rise of Esports Tournaments in Finland
In 2019, the Finnish Olympic Committee established esports as a part of the country’s sports community. The bi-annual Finnish Assembly tournament was launched, and it has rapidly become one of the leading esports competitions in the world. Both amateur and professional Finnish-players gather to compete in various titles, and there are also international competitions that attract the best players from around the world.
Games Played at Assembly
Assembly has become highly respected among pro esports players. Its pro tournaments require pre-qualification and include competitions like ASUS ROG – StarCraft II and OMEN by HP – Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Casual tournaments, which are open to all, include games like League of Legends, Pro Pikki 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
Encouraging Esports Careers in Finland
As shown above, the best Finnish esports players can earn big money. With esports in Finland becoming a lucrative career opportunity for many young Finns, the government is helping youngsters to branch into the industry.
In addition to holding esports tournaments, the government of Finland provides the four-week summer Nordic eSports Academy Bootcamp. The camp is designed for casual gamers, rising esports players, and professional esports athletes. Whatever level attendees are at, the camp’s instructors help them to improve their knowledge of the esports industry and its potential future development.
Students also learn how to refine their playing skills to bring them up to a professional standard. Indeed, Finland’s government is so optimistic about the future of esports; it has even introduced esports courses in some Finnish colleges to ensure the next bright stars of Finnish esports have the tools and mentoring required to become professional athletes.
eFutisliiga
In recent years, we have seen the launch of esports football leagues like ePremier and eLa Liga. Now, Finnish football is following suit with the launch of eFutisliiga.
The new FIFA league will run alongside the main Finnish football competitions. With weekly online matches on virtual pitches, eFutisliiga will hopefully drive a whole new demographic.
Football fans are sure to get more into esports, and esports fans are sure to get more interested in football, so it really is a win-win situation. Make no mistake; esports is growing rapidly in Finland and many other countries around the world. And its popularity will surely only increase over the coming years.
