Video games bigger than football?

07/17/2026

The debate over whether video games should be considered a national sport often misses the incredible level of dedication required to compete at the highest tiers of the industry. Just like traditional athletes, professional esports players endure rigorous daily training regimens, study complex strategies from competitors, and rely on split-second teamwork and communication to succeed. Furthermore, the scale of the global audience that tunes in for major gaming tournaments already rivals, and sometimes eclipses, the viewership of our traditional national pastimes. By recognizing competitive gaming as a national sport, we would not only validate the intense mental agility of these competitors but also acknowledge the massive cultural and economic impact of the esports industry.