Attending live events: Are esports fans comfortable?

It’s been nearly a year and a half since stadium doors slammed shut to in-person esports events, but like other facets of life, esports is showing early signs of returning to pre-pandemic normal.

The most recent hint came from the Call of Duty League, which announced all its teams will play in the same location for its Major IV tournament in June, albeit still without spectators.

As the league makes this crucial step toward bringing large-scale in-person events back, continuously collected data from YouGov shows 35% of esports fans in the United States now feel comfortable attending live events. This group of those who either watch, play, or bet on esports are about as likely as traditional sports fans to feel safe venturing to events (34%).

About the same number of esports fans say they’re uncomfortable with heading into a crowded stadium (36%), while 15% say they aren’t sure. Those are sizable figures, but not insurmountable for event promoters, especially for those events where social distancing is still necessary. Upcoming large-scale sporting events will provide esports event organizers with a blueprint on how to put on an event with fans in the stands under those circumstances.

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Methodology: YouGov Profiles is based on continuously collected data and rolling surveys, rather than from a single limited questionnaire. Profiles data referenced is based on a sample size of1,092 sports fans and 158 esports fans. Profiles data is nationally representative and weighted by age, gender, education, region, and race. Learn more about Profiles.