You have probably already heard of esports, whether from younger family members or colleagues, but the term is still not entirely clear to many. Esports, short for electronic sports, refers to organized video game competitions at a professional level. While some may still see it as mere entertainment, esports is today a serious and rapidly growing industry worth billions of dollars.
Its popularity continues to rise globally. The International Olympic Committee has already included esports in its program, and many countries officially recognize it as a sport. Universities around the world offer scholarships to esports players, while major competitions attract investments and sponsorships worth millions. The scale of audience interest is best illustrated by the 2019 League of Legends World Championship, which drew more than 100 million viewers, surpassing the NBA Finals viewership that same year.
Debates over whether esports should be considered a sport are becoming less frequent. The argument that it lacks physical activity is losing ground when compared to disciplines such as chess, shooting, or sailing, which have long been recognized as sports. Esports involves organized competition, demands a high level of skill, and requires continuous training, placing it alongside other established sports.
This year, students from the University of Rijeka have made a significant breakthrough within the national UNISPORT HR system. They stood out in League of Legends, one of the most popular online multiplayer games in the world — a strategic team game in which two teams of five players compete to destroy the opponent’s base.
The Rijeka team consists of Karlo Girotto from RITEH, Filip Papić and Nikola Cindrić from FIDIT, and Mirsad Djedović, led by captain Luka Vrančić from FMTU. Substitutes include Rafael Dejong from RITEH and Mihael Pokorni from FIDIT. After successfully completing the group stage, the team advanced to the knockout phase, where they convincingly defeated teams from the University North and Algebra University. In the semifinals, they will face the University of Zagreb.
Adding to the significance of this achievement is last year’s result, when the Rijeka team won first place at the EXPO GameRI 2025 competition.
“The team has been preparing continuously for this season, and I am extremely proud of my teammates and our progress so far. We believe we can crown our efforts with the highest honor and secure a place in Poreč. This is my final year as captain, and I would like to conclude my studies at the University of Rijeka with a medal at the national championship,” said captain Luka Vrančić ahead of the upcoming match.
The semifinal match can be watched live on Sunday, April 26, at 1:00 PM on the UNISPORT HR Twitch channel.