WALES’ first-ever esports team is heading to the 2022 Commonwealth Games’ Esports Championships in Birmingham to compete in its inaugural main event.

Esports is a form of competition using video games played competitively for spectators, and has rocketed in popularity in recent years.

And now the Welsh team, funded by the Welsh Government’s Creative Wales agency, is heading to the two-day event, which begins today, Saturday, August 6, and will see top-flight esports competitors from across the Commonwealth go head-to-head in six categories:

  • Rocket League Open;
  • Rocket League Womens;
  • Dota 2 Open;
  • Dota 2 Womens;
  • Efootball;
  • Efootball Womens.

Creative Wales recently confirmed £25,000 in funding to Esports Wales to support the establishment of a Welsh league and representation at tournaments in the UK and beyond.

South Wales Argus:

The Esports Wales Team. Picture: Esports Wales

The Welsh Government’s deputy minister for arts and sport Dawn Bowden said: “Esports is an exciting and inclusive new development for sport and for Wales. I’m delighted we have been able to support the establishment of Wales’ first ever Esports team, which will further support the growth of the games industry in Wales.

“I very much look forward to cheering on the Welsh team in Birmingham. Pob lwc i chi gyd!”

Chief operating officer of Esports Wales Jack ‘Anders’ Lawrence said: “The practice the teams put in showed through the qualification process, with the mixed Rocket League and mixed Dota 2 teams advancing through the qualifiers without dropping a series.

“I’m thoroughly looking forward to watching all of our six brilliant teams compete at the Commonwealth Esports Championships. It will be a fantastic step for Welsh Esports and its community to be part of an event of this magnitude.”