Levelling Up Welsh Gaming - Esports Wales

John Jackson, founder of Esports Wales.

Esports Wales is the national body for esports in Wales, founded by John Jackson.

The organisation oversees competitive video gaming in all of its forms and disciplines throughout the nation, covering the entire scene from the grassroots level all the way up to national teams. 

Working with partners and stakeholders across the country, Esports Wales supports a growing network of clubs and their members by providing an affiliation and support structure that aims to ensure there are safe, fun and accessible opportunities for all to participate and succeed in esports.

The company works with a wide range of stakeholders, from students and professional gamers to clubs and event organisers, with whom Esports Wales collaborates to facilitate top-level competitions and esports opportunities in Wales.

Since 2019, Esports Wales has taken on three full-time members of staff, engaged 30 volunteers and has 45 freelancers on the books. The company is also working with the Welsh Government to plan and host a major esports competition in Wales next year.

In January 2024, Esports Wales received £50,000 in funding from Media Cymru as part of its £1 million Development Fund. The investment was granted to give Esports Wales the support it needed to complete its project, ‘Esports Wales: A New Game Plan for Wales’.

John said: “The business has grown rapidly since I founded it in 2019 and I’m exceptionally proud of what it has achieved so far to bring esports events to Wales and take Welsh gamers around the world to compete. The funding from Media Cymru has been invaluable in taking us to the next level and helping us reach more of the esports community with our work.

“The community is at the heart of everything we do and we love giving them the opportunity and platform to grow whilst doing what they love. The support from Media Cymru has not only given us the financial backing we needed to expand our work, but also a sense of validation and renewed confidence that our business is viable, worthwhile and on an upwards trajectory.

“I’m excited to see how Esports Wales will develop over the coming years with support from Media Cymru and its wider community of creative and digital businesses.”

For more about ESPORTS WALES, visit esportswales.org.