For years, when you thought about extracurricular activities in schools, a few familiar options came to mind—football, basketball, music club, or maybe debate society. But in 2025, the list is changing. A new contender has entered the arena: esports. Competitive gaming, once dismissed as just a hobby or a “distraction,” is now finding its way into classrooms, gymnasiums, and after-school programs. The question is: can esports really become the new extracurricular? The short answer—yes, and it already is.

Why Esports Belong in Schools

At its core, esports is about competition, teamwork, and strategy—skills that overlap with traditional sports. Where football teaches coordination and communication, games like League of Legends or Valorant do the same, just in a virtual stadium instead of a grassy field. Players learn to think critically under pressure, manage resources, and trust their teammates.

Even better, esports is more inclusive than many traditional sports. Not every student can run the 100 meters in 12 seconds or dunk a basketball, but most can sit down at a PC or console and learn a game. This inclusivity means students who might not have felt connected to typical school activities now have a way to engage, build friendships, and represent their school with pride.

A Growing Global Trend

Schools across the US, South Korea, and even parts of Europe have already introduced esports programs. In fact, the U.S. now has high school esports leagues supported by state athletic associations. Colleges are also offering esports scholarships, treating gamers the same way they treat athletes. Imagine: a student’s skills in Overwatch or Rocket League could help fund their degree.

India and other countries are slowly catching on too. As internet speeds and PC cafés become more accessible, esports as an organized extracurricular could take off globally, bridging a gap between passion and education.

More Than Just “Playing Games”

Skeptics often argue that gaming is “just screen time,” but structured esports is far from casual play. Training schedules, scrimmages, coaching, and even fitness routines are part of a professional approach. A student on an esports team doesn’t just spend hours mindlessly playing—they practice teamwork drills, review strategies, and analyze their gameplay, much like a football team studies its past matches.

Esports also opens doors to STEM learning. Students interested in gaming often become curious about coding, game design, broadcasting, or even hardware engineering. Many esports clubs integrate streaming setups, video editing, and event management, giving students real-world skills in technology and media.

Challenges Along the Way

Of course, introducing esports in schools isn’t without challenges. There’s still a stigma around gaming, with some parents and educators worrying about addiction or academic distractions. Funding is another issue—setting up a proper esports lab with high-performance PCs and fast internet can be expensive compared to a football field that lasts for decades.

Health concerns also matter. Unlike physical sports, esports doesn’t promote movement, so schools need to balance screen time with physical activity, ensuring students stay healthy both mentally and physically.

Why It’s Worth It

Despite these hurdles, the benefits are hard to ignore. Esports teaches discipline, resilience, and adaptability—the very same qualities schools want to instill through traditional extracurriculars. More importantly, it recognizes the reality of today’s generation. Gaming isn’t going away. Instead of resisting it, schools can channel that passion into something constructive, competitive, and educational.

And let’s not forget: esports is a booming industry. By giving students early exposure, schools may be preparing them for future careers not just as pro gamers but also as casters, analysts, developers, and managers.

Final Thoughts

So, is esports the new extracurricular? The evidence points to yes. We’re moving into an era where digital skill sets matter as much as physical ones. For students who live and breathe gaming, esports provides an outlet to shine, grow, and even dream of a career.

In the end, whether it’s on a football field or in front of a monitor, the goal is the same: teamwork, discipline, and growth. And if esports can provide all that while embracing what students already love, then schools should absolutely press “Start.”