AFL extends games to eSports
Australian Football League (AFL) is ready to implement its sporting strategy in the eSports sector.
Australia.- The Australian Football League will extend its tournaments to the eSports sector, as reported by local press. The main football association in the country has approved a project to allow eSports competitions under the brand. AFL and AFL Women are joining an international trend to attract younger players and adapt the sports reality to the virtual gaming platforms.
The AFL Commission approved the project and expects the creation of an eSports team soon. According to the Sidney Morning Herald, the Australian football club Greater Western Sydney could buy an eSports team to begin the new sporting experience. GWS is betting on the gaming innovation in order to reach a bigger and new fan market.
Authorities have not set the complete plan yet and have not revealed further details about the market development. “The AFL believes its expertise in sporting governance, policing integrity issues and running competitions makes it well-placed to play a part in the Australian eSports industry,” stated the Sidney Morning Herald.
AFL and AFL Women could run their own eSports leagues in order to engage with the public that is not consuming TV content. Furthermore, Etihad Stadium could become the convention center for the AFL eSports tournaments, as revealed by Game Planet. The international eSports industry responded to the AFL decision by offering teams and projects to develop the sector.