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.

How extensive is the research?

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

Which education segments are covered?

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

Why are schools investing in esports?

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

How are universities using esports?

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

What does the report say about broadcasting?

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

Which regions are leading adoption?

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

Does the report include future forecasts?

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

Who should read this report?

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

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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

Please complete the report enquiry form below.

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