Futuresource Esports in Education

The esports industry is stabilising after the immense growth of the early 2020s, and it has created a knock-on effect on esports in education. Due to regional disparities and lack of current investment, it has become increasingly difficult to truly understand the adoption, investment and benefits of esports in education.

This report provides data points on key themes for esports IT hardware across K12 and Higher Ed, now and over the next 2 years. It explains regional purchasing decisions of schools and universities and highlights the current barriers that face institutions. Additionally, it gives a student perspective and covers the learning outcomes and impact of esports in education.

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Esports continues to grow within K-12 schools globally, focusing on student engagement and inclusion through extracurricular clubs. Extracurricular esports is the foundation of K-12 esports, by giving students a non-traditional activity that very much aligns with the schools' plans for learning outcomes. Over the next two years, schools will begin to focus on developing competitive tournaments and esports teams.

Skill development in areas such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving is a key driver of investment for esports activities. North America leads globally with esports integration and aims to increase investment into esports capabilities within K-12 schools.Growth of K-12 esports in Western Europe is significant, with the UK leading as a mature, standardised esports ecosystem.

  • Report Background and Methodology
  • Esports Definition and Market Overview
  • Inclusivity and SEND in Esports
  • Executive Summary
  • K-12 Esports Landscape
    • Programme Ownership and Structure
    • Infrastructure, Set-Up and Investment
    • Streaming, Broadcasting and Media Integration
    • Outcomes and Impact
  • Higher Education Esports Landscape
    • Student Participation and Demographics
    • Strategic Role of Esports in Higher Education
    • Infrastructure, Set-Up and Investment
    • Streaming, Broadcasting and Media Integration
    • Outcomes and Impact
  • About Futuresource

Insights from this report are based on interviews of 8,833 end-users across North America, LATAM, Western Europe and APAC.

The report focuses on regional purchasing decisions of schools and universities, the current barriers to adoption, learning outcomes, the impact of esports in education alongside vital student perspectives.

Futuresource has been tracking, researching and consulting on the global education technology market for more than 20 years. However, since 2020, the pandemic has placed a spotlight on EdTech and the role it has played in keeping children educated, and Futuresource’s reporting has been ramped up accordingly. Any enterprise operating within the EdTech sector will benefit from this report, particularly:

  • Manufacturers and their suppliers
  • Resellers and VARs
  • Intermediaries and supply chain
  • EdTech market strategists, marketing and sales professionals
  • Investors

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Esports in Education 2026 report?

A global research study examining esports adoption, investment, infrastructure and outcomes across K-12 and higher education institutions.  

The study includes 8,833 end-user interviews across North America, LATAM, Western Europe and APAC.  

The report covers both K-12 schools and higher education institutions.  

Schools cite student engagement, inclusion and skills development, including teamwork, communication and problem-solving, as key drivers.  

Higher education institutions are increasingly using esports to support student recruitment, retention and engagement strategies.  

The research shows growing investment in streaming and broadcasting infrastructure, especially within higher education.  

North America remains the leading region globally, while the UK is identified as a mature esports ecosystem within Western Europe.  

Yes. The report includes analysis and forecasts covering the next two years.

Education technology vendors, PC manufacturers, display providers, esports platforms, higher education institutions, schools, investors and policymakers.

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