Esports and Football: One Passion, Two Outfits

When the stage lights of the Esports Stadium Hanoi blazed on the night of the 2026 League of Legends (LoL) final, I remembered another afternoon, nearly 20 years earlier, when I stood in the stands of My Dinh Stadium watching the Vietnam national team play. Two scenes, two generations, but the same emotion: the frenzy of the crowd, the roar of celebration, and the tears of the victors. No one can deny that esports has become an integral part of Vietnam's sporting life, but the question remains: is it truly a sport, or just a video game over-celebrated? I have spent over two decades following both fields, and I believe the answer lies in what we call 'sportsmanship'. The context of this rise cannot be separated from the development of technological infrastructure and the shift in social perception. In 2026, when I was a freelance journalist in Melbourne, I witnessed the esports wave in Australia, and I wondered when Vietnam would catch up. Ten years later, the answer came. According to Newzoo, Vietnam's esports market reached $15 million in 2026, up 25% from the previous year. Tournaments like VCS (Vietnam Championship Series) attract millions of online viewers, and players like SofM (Do Duy Khanh) have made it to the international stage, becoming icons for the younger generation. But that number is still a fraction of football's revenue, where a match between U23 Vietnam and U23 Thailand can bring the whole country to a standstill. This comparison is not meant to belittle esports, but to view it realistically: esports is growing, but it is still seeking a solid place in the public consciousness. What I want to analyze here is not revenue or viewership, but the essence of competition and sportsmanship in esports. Many argue that esports lacks physicality, but they forget that a LoL player must perform an average of 300 actions per minute, with millisecond precision. They must train their minds, reflexes, and teamwork under immense pressure. I once interviewed an esports coach in Ho Chi Minh City, who said his players train 12 hours a day, with a strict schedule from physical fitness to tactics. That is no different from a professional track and field athlete. But there is a big difference: in football, luck and pitch conditions can create surprises, while in esports, everything is decided by pure skill and tactics. This creates absolute fairness, but it also means there is no room for weakness. However, I want to offer a contrarian view: esports is not a threat to football, but a perfect complement. When I watch a VCS final, I see the frenzy of young fans, those who may never step foot in a stadium. They find in esports a community, a pride, and a way to connect with the world. Football, with its centuries-old history, can learn from esports how to reach the younger generation, how to use technology to enhance fan experience. Conversely, esports can learn from football endurance, how to build a systematic training system, and how to create lasting legends. This intersection has already begun: football clubs like Hanoi FC have established esports teams, and tournaments like VCS are becoming more professional, with investment from major sponsors. Looking ahead, I believe the line between traditional sports and esports will blur. As Gen Z grows up, they will not distinguish between watching a football match and a LoL game; they simply watch what they love. Tournament organizers will have to adapt, and media professionals like me will have to find new storytelling ways to connect both worlds. I have witnessed this change in Australia, where esports tournaments are broadcast on national television, and I hope Vietnam will soon follow that path. Esports is not just a game; it is a sport of the digital age, and football, with its traditional strength, will never be replaced, but will coexist and thrive. The final question is not 'which is better', but 'are we open enough to accept both'.