The growing popularity of competitive gaming is undeniable. What was once a niche community, mainly involving local gatherings, has now grown into an international, digital phenomenon. It was only a matter of time before competitive gaming reached Ireland.
In 2025, the success of eSports in Ireland is seeing an upward trajectory, as far as popularity is concerned. Professionals, amateurs, and spectators are all excited for the next event, and participation continues to grow, quite rapidly.
Online Gaming in Ireland
We don’t need to look far to see online gaming engagement. The iGaming industry is a pretty clear cut example of the success of games for the Irish. Being one of the first countries to adopt legal gambling, Ireland’s iGaming industry is thriving. But, that is not the only example of competitive gaming online.
The game VALORANT has had a significant, and undeniable impact on the Irish eSports community as well. In this article, we would like to examine the success of shooting game, and discuss why it is such a big hit in the Emerald Isles.
VALORANT – A Big Hit
VALORANT is one of the biggest titles fueling the eSports boom in Ireland. Riot Games’s tactical, strategy-based shooter game seems to really be resonating with Irish players. Indeed, quite a few are very excited for the upcoming 10.4 Patch, which is expected to introduce new features, skins, and maybe even fix some technical issues with a lot of characters’ abilities.
The success of the game among Irish gamers can be attributed to its intense and strategic gameplay. Unlike many shooters, VALORANT requires dedication and high levels of skill, at least if you are going to be playing it professionally. Most dedicated gamers welcome a challenge like that, which naturally elevates the game’s success.
For their part, the VALORANT developers have not let their Irish fans go unappreciated. There have been plenty of Irish-oriented promotional material, and unique character skins tied to the Emerald isles. The love and support seems to be coming from both sides here, which is likely why VALORANT continues to attract new fans in Ireland.
VALORANT & Betting
Another big reason for the success of the game has to do with the enormous betting community that has formed around it. The success of eSports has not gone unnoticed by synergetic markets. Online bookies, for example, now feature betting options for some of the most popular games in the world. Among them, VALORANT is a staple, particularly in Ireland.
Believe it or not, the betting community that has formed around this game has greatly contributed to its success. Some players who might not have been interested otherwise, are now deeply involved with games, simply because they learned about them on sports-related websites. What is more, online sportsbooks do their best to entice VALORANT fans to bet on tournaments all year round.
Online bookmakers also provide some special, and very unique bonus offers for fans of VALORANT. It wouldn’t be surprising for a sports betting fan to come across free bets or a match deposit when they first start betting on the game. The success of Riot Games’ shooter has just as much to do with the synergy between gaming and gambling, as it does with the success of eSports in general.
Demographic Participation in Ireland
Once upon a time, games were considered a largely male-oriented hobby. What is more, most people would consider games a children’s pastime. However, a lot has changed since the days of Super Mario or Sonic the Hedgehog. Nowadays, the amount of adults who play video games has risen by quite a significant margin.
That is just as true in Ireland as it is globally. A report published in 2024 indicated that 50% of the adult, Irish population plays games frequently. The ages ranged from young adults, to middle aged players, and even some that could be considered senior citizens. But, the surprises don’t stop there. It isn’t just that adults are much more likely to play games, but the gender demographics have also changed drastically.
According to that same report, only 52% of the adults who call themselves gamers were men. The remaining 48% all identified as female. In other words, games are no longer the niche hobby made exclusively for young boys. Adults of both genders play games, and games like VALORANT certainly contribute to this change.
VALORANT is a highly-strategic game that requires developed hand-eye coordination and tactical planning. That simply isn’t something that younger kids are capable of at a tender age. However, adult men and women certainly are. What is more, VALORANT’s diverse roster appeals to both genders, which goes to enrich the gaming ecosystem, not just in Ireland, but worldwide.
Why Gaming Matters in Ireland
While it is certainly impressive how far the Irish gaming industry has come, some may wonder why it all matters? In other words, who cares that games are now more popular in Ireland than ever before? The truth of the matter is that the gaming industry is a very significant contributor to the Irish economy, and general digital infrastructure.
Many are not aware that in 2024, revenues associated with gaming in Ireland alone surpassed 630 million Euros. That is not an insignificant number to be sure. What is more, statisticians believe that the amount is going to increase in 2025, and might even surpass 800 million by the end of 2027. These revenues go into bolstering the Irish economy, and serve to improve the lives of all Irish people.
But, the benefit is not just monetary. Game development leads to improvement in digital infrastructure. For example, cloud gaming and improved digital platforms are now common in Ireland. Would that have been the case without the rising gaming market in the country? It is very likely that adoption of these new technologies would have been much slower. Finally, big name eSports tournaments are now being held in Ireland, which of course also contributes significantly to the national revenue. The organizers have to pay certain fees, and of course, tourists from all over the world want to come to the Emerald Isles and see their favorite gamers compete.
