The Esports Australia Summit 2020 brings together industry leaders and stakeholders to focus discussion on the Australian esports industry. 2020 has been an interesting year for all, with esports enjoying explosive interest and growth.

Join the Australian Esports Association (AESA) and esteemed panelists as we discuss the major movements our industry has experience over 2020, esports during lockdown, crossovers with traditional sporting groups, developing infrastructure and major investment announcements, grassroots programs, accessibility, participation and education.

Event Program (times in AEDT):

12:45pm - AESA address and welcome

1:00pm - Home Court Advantage: Making Oceanic esports ecosystems matter

Oceanic Esports have been on a tumultuous journey. In 2020 alone we saw major commercial leagues emerge and fold in the region, while state-backed esports hubs and events rose in long-term investment investment in the millions. More than ever, families have increased their esports awareness through mainstream youth involvement which moves across devices, into the lounge room, the schoolyard, and online through organized play in local leagues and international events. Year-over-year, esports continue to rise as an everyday recreational and organised competitive activity in the Oceanic region. This panel asks What does a more sustainable esports landscape, and local pipelines towards participation, look like from an Oceanic point of view?

2:00pm - Operation Esports: Fusing Sports & Esports under lockdown

Imagine organising a global professional sports event in less than a week. 48hrs to be precise! That was the total turn-around time for the “Not the Australian Grand Prix” event run by Formula 1 and Veloce Esports in response to the cancelled 2020 Melbourne GP. Under the expansive lockdown of live sports worldwide due to COVID-19, traditional sports leagues and teams turned to esports to maintain engagement with their fans with great success. This panel peels back the curtain into how mainstream professional sports worked through unprecedented challenges and cleared the hurdles to keep their communities thriving through the unique medium of esports.

3:00pm - Grassroots esports & Placemaking

The foundation of any successful movement is it's communities and the grassroots they have. In addition to the major events and the big leagues we often hear about there is a wide array of contributors building esports in their local communities, nurturing local play and participation. This panel discusses local esports that thinks about inclusivity, sustainability and participation.

4:00pm - Education in Esports

Esports provides a new medium to engage with youth and students in education spaces, with youth widely interested in video game content and play. There are a number of esports leagues looking to introduce structured competition for Primary aged and High School aged students, introducing some of the youngest players to participation in esports. Supplemented by a number of applications in the class room from scholarships at university, to teaching aids and course subject matter. This panel explores the role esports is playing in education, how it is impact student lives and where we go from here.

5:00pm - AESA closing remarks and Board comments