Esports parties are not a new thing, although their popularity has increased tremendously over the last few years. For some, video games are a way to de-stress and unwind. For others, they’re a competitive sport. Either way, esports is a common theme for parties in Chicagoland. 

Maybe you’ve stumbled across this article because your child has requested an esports party or you’ve been invited to one and aren’t sure what you’re in for. In this article, we’ll tell you what you need to know about esports parties, so you can enjoy your time!

What Are Esports?

Esports are essentially competitions done through multiplayer video games. They turn online gaming into a spectator sport, much like basketball or baseball. Esports can include traditional sports-based games like NBA2K or FIFA or more story-based games such as League of Legends. 

Much to many peoples’ surprise, the idea of esports is not new. In fact, it has been around for at least fifty years! One of the earliest known esports tournaments was held at Stanford University in 1972, playing the game Spacewars. In 1990, Nintendo even set up their World Championship tournament which has been held three times since then. Esports has come a long way since the 90s thanks to internet connectivity. Now, more people can play games in multiplayer mode than ever before. 

How Popular Are Esports?

Esports are popular among players and also have a significant fan base. For example, the 2019 League of Legends World Championship reached 3.9 million concurrent viewers worldwide (excluding China). The Fortnite World Cup in 2019 reached 2.3 million viewers. 

For fans of esports, the appeal is simple. People like to watch professionals battle each other in one of their favorite games. Some people might love football and watching the NFL. Others might love hockey and watch the NHL. Fans of esports find watching these games just as interesting as a basketball lover finds watching the NBA. 

Another unique appeal of esports is that the player’s success is independent of how tall, strong, or fast they are. It doesn’t matter if the player is 5’0 tall or 6’8 – they have the same opportunity to excel in the games. In addition, gender, culture, and even location don’t matter. As long as someone has access to the right equipment and the internet, they can play and win!

Esports is also more scalable than other sports. For example, it would be impossible to turn basketball into a 100 vs 100 sport. But this is entirely possible with games on a digital platform like esports.

There’s also the social aspect of esports. While a lot of people still consider video games to be a solitary activity, that actually hasn’t been true for many years. The majority of the most popular games involve playing and communicating with a team. Some people might play with their friends, while others will play with people across the country or even the globe. 

Tips for Throwing an Esports Party

If you’ve decided on throwing an esports party for yourself or someone you know, we have a few tips on how you can make it even more fun for everyone involved!

Create a Tournament Bracket

This isn’t something you have to do, but it can definitely make the party a little more fun! If scores are going to matter at your party and you have several people attending, think about posting a tournament bracket. Doing so lets everyone see where they’re standing, who’s made it to the final rounds, and it also gives everyone a person or team to root for! Plus, with this approach, you could put together one prize for the overall winner to take home.

Choose Watchable Games

Depending on the size of your party, not everyone will be able to play at the same time. In this case, it is a good idea to choose a game that is both fun to play and fun to watch. For example, sports games, dance games, and trivia games are good examples of games that can get everyone involved even if they’re not holding the controller.

Put Together Goodie Bags

Another way to make your esports party memorable is to give everyone something they can take away from the party! Perhaps you create customized t-shirts that everyone can wear during the party and then take home after. You could also put together goodie bags with unique items. For example, you could order customized water bottles, themed gaming socks, and a light-up lanyard. Throw in a couple of sweet treats to keep them fueled next time they play at home and everyone will be happy!

Themed Food and Drinks

As the popularity of esports parties has grown, so have your options for themed food or drinks! You can easily ask your local bakery to create a cake or cupcakes with a design that fits the specific game or games you are focusing on for your party. There’s a good chance they’ve had this request before! If you want to make the desserts yourself, there are tons of great ideas online that you can replicate.

Why Host Your Esports Party at Wintrust Sports Complex

One of the things that sets us apart as an esports venue is that we have a dedicated space for esports. It’s not an area that we haphazardly convert into an esports venue when it’s needed. Our esports lounge is always set up and ready to go. Even a professional gamer will be impressed with our setup. 

We also have an Esports Birthday Package that you can order and even customize to create the perfect party! It includes:

• 2-hour private room rental
• 2 large pizzas (cheese or pepperoni)
• Unlimited fountain water, soda, and popcorn
• 2-hour Esports Lounge rental
• $10 arcade game card per guest
• Birthday Party Concierge

Plus, every package comes with optional customizable party invitations. All we need is the details to create an invitation you’ll be proud to send out. Don’t hesitate to book your party now at the best place for esports in Chicagoland!