Football has been around for a long time now, but the popularity of esports is snowballing. Football clubs have started investing in esports to increase their fan base. Chelsea can take advantage of esports if they have a strong marketing plan and focus on developing its academy. As Chelsea Football Club looks to secure its future, many have wondered whether it should invest in esports.
The Growing Popularity Of Esports
The growth of esports is undeniable. The most popular game today is PUBG—a free-to-play shooter with a battle royale mode that pits 100 players against each other on a map that shrinks over time until only one player remains to stand.
The game was released in March 2017, and its popularity has attracted millions of players worldwide. According to statistics from Google Trends, searches for PUBG overtook those for football matches earlier this year. There are still more people searching for PUBG than watching actual football games.
Virtual Football Vs Real Football
Football is a team sport, but it’s also an individual one. Playing well on the field requires you to be aware of what’s happening around you and react accordingly. It takes years of practice to master that skill, which is why virtual football can benefit players of all levels.
Virtual football allows players to hone their skills without risking injury or walking away with bruises and scrapes from tackling other players. You’ll still get a good experience from playing this game because each match lasts about 90 minutes. You can also bet on virtual football in eSports or watch the game in spectator mode.
It’s easy for anyone who wants to keep fit during the winter months when snow prevents outdoor activities like soccer and rugby from taking place outdoors. Unlike real-life soccer matches, where every player has specific duties within each position on defense, such as goalkeeper or defender, virtual football allows each player anything in style.
Everyone gets involved in whatever way they want. eSports give people freedom in how they play together with friends online through voice chat programs like Discord. It allows users access anywhere, anytime, without having internet cables connected directly to home computers/laptops, etc.
Spectator Modes In Esports For Football Clubs
Most major eSports games have some spectator mode, allowing fans of Chelsea FC to watch the game from a different perspective. Spectator modes can also allow teams to use statistics to improve themselves.
Spectator modes give eSports teams a chance to get more exposure and better sponsorships. eSports organisations like Chelsea FC can use their streams as marketing tools, with advertisements playing before the match starts, during halftime, and after the game ends. These advertisements are usually for their sponsors’ products.
Chelsea Could Create A Solid Virtual Football Team If They Capitalise On It Now
You probably never knew there was a virtual football league. It exists, and it’s snowballing. If Chelsea were to capitalise on this now, they could simultaneously become the first-ever team to win in both the real and virtual football leagues. That would be huge for Chelsea’s brand recognition—not to mention their bottom line.
There are plenty of reasons why Chelsea should consider getting involved with esports now rather than later:
- The potential growth of virtual football as an industry
- The potential profitability of investing in a virtual football team
- The future viability of such an investment
The growth rate is accelerating yearly, and it’s estimated that by 2022 there will be approximately 250 million players worldwide.
Golden Goal
The future of esports is bright, and Chelsea should be looking to create a solid virtual football team. The world of competitive gaming is changing, but it’s still an excellent way for fans to stay connected with their favourite teams in a new way.
It’s worth noting that there are some profound financial implications here, too. If the club can capitalise on this trend, they could reap huge rewards later.