Valencia has taken a decisive step to consolidate itself as a leading hub for the eSports industry. Or, depending on how you see it, it has hit ‘reset’, as the city’s tradition of digital entertainment dates back to the early 2000s with the legendary Campus Party, which for years brought together thousands of young people around video games and technology.
Two decades later, the phenomenon has matured. eSports are now a global industry generating more than 2 billion dollars a year, with forecasts to triple that figure before 2030, according to Statista. In Spain, although the numbers are more modest, growth remains steady: the market could reach 150 million euros in 2025, driven by an audience exceeding 2.9 million followers, 36% of them women, one of the highest rates in Europe.
To play the game, and win it, Valencia has first-class assets on its team, organized around one plan: the València Game City strategy, launched exactly one year ago.
València Game City: community, talent and infrastructure
From arcades, the mentioned Campus Party, and cybercafés now turned into eSports lounges, to the annual Dreamhack event —the largest video game festival in Spain— Valencia has long hosted a vast community of gaming enthusiasts. Aficionados who, driven by the rise of streaming and influencer culture, have grown into a thriving legion.
Many of them have chosen to turn their passion into a career, supported by numerous studios and training centers in the city. Standing out among them is ESAT, once again featured in the prestigious GAMEducation ranking as Spain’s best video game school, number four in Europe and fifth in the world.
The icing on the cake is the recently inaugurated Roig Arena, a multi-purpose venue that is the envy of Europe. Its scope goes far beyond sports or music, as plans include hosting major international eSports championships.
Adding to that momentum, Microsoft has established its operations center in La Harinera, dedicated to developing and testing technology applied to sports, entertainment and health on a global scale.
VDS: the creator of Counter Strike headlines the lineup
If Valencia has a plan to boost the video game and eSports industries, the city’s flagship innovation event could not ignore it. Thus, the eighth edition of VDS (Valencia Digital Summit) featured Minh Le, the legendary creator of Counter Strike, among its main speakers.
In his talk “No Plan, All Passion: The Story Behind Counter Strike, The Billion Dollar Game”, Le shared how, during his spare time as a computer science student, he developed the foundation of Counter Strike, which would later be acquired by the iconic studio Valve in the early 2000s.
Joining the Canadian developer were other prominent figures from the eSports world, including Johannes Pfundmeier (Esports World Cup) and Chad Weeden (RIT Esports).
eSports worldwide: a booming industry driven by the sports economy
The eSports industry is not only growing in audience and revenue but also in investor interest. A recent example is the acquisition of Electronic Arts (EA) by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund (PIF), along with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, for 55 billion dollars. The deal, one of the largest leveraged buyouts in history, confirms the strategic importance of video games and digital sports for global capital markets. Specifically, private investors paid 25% above EA’s stock price to acquire and delist the company, a valuation supported by its central role in the next gen of sports.
Such moves reflect a global trend: video games have evolved from simple entertainment into a new sports economy, with their own stars, audiences, and professional circuits. Brands, sponsors, and streaming platforms are investing more and more in leagues, teams, and tournaments, fueling a phenomenon that blends spectacle, technology, and community.
Global industry revenues are expected to continue growing at double-digit rates throughout the next decade, driven by player professionalization, the expansion of streaming, and the integration of eSports into traditional sports events.
Valencia, ready to level up
The challenge for Valencia now lies in consolidating its position on the international map. The city will compete with other global hubs that already have professional leagues and large venues but holds a key advantage: a clear strategy, institutional support, emerging talent, and a passionate community.
With a focus on attracting international championships, strengthening local leagues, and deepening the connection between education, technology, and entertainment, Valencia is ready to become the Mediterranean capital of gaming.
Because if there’s one thing this city has proven, it’s that it knows how to play as a team.
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