Esports is booming around the world and despite numerous unique challenges, South Africa is no different. Major events are driving growth and if the upcoming rAge is anything to go by, this is going to continue well into the future.

With ACGL and Mettlestate running a variety of mega events at rAge, backed up by industry leading sponsors like Intel and Incredible Connection, the expo is bound to set a benchmark for esports in South Africa, a country that according to esportsinsider.com, “is at the forefront of African esports”.

Generally defined as being “professional, or semi-professional competitive gaming in an organised format with a specific goal or prize,” esports has been around for a while, with stats indicating it received a massive boost due to the pandemic, particularly on the African continent. Games marketing and analysis company NewZoo indicates that in 2019, esports enjoyed a total audience of 397.8-million people around the world. Just one year later this had boomed to 435.9-million - a massive 9.6% increase.

Despite being held back by issues such as power disruptions, lack of connectivity and high unemployment, Africa's esports growth is still set to equal the worldwide figures this year, due in part, to the continent's high youth population. The number of young people (those between 0 and 24) on the continent is set to increase by 50% come 2050, making it a potentially enormous and lucrative market, with South Africa currently leading the way.

According to Mordor Intelligence, gaming in South Africa has overtaken movies and even music sales in the country due to the reach of mobile communications and the accessibility of online gaming.  Futuresource estimates annual audience size for esports in Southern Africa will grow from 30 million in 2020 to 53 million by 2023.

Which brings us to rAge. This trailblazing tech, gaming and geekery convention is positioning itself as the pinnacle for esports in South Africa. This year's event, to be held from 9 to 11 December at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg, is set to feature an absolute feast of top competitive gaming.

For starters, UGC is set to host competitive events for both Tekken 7 and Street Fighter V, while RGB gaming is hosting 16 high schools to both play a host of games from Rocket League, FIFA and Minecraft and engage in competitive world building and coding.

The inclusion of schools in esports is no coincidence, as school esports clubs and activities are growing rapidly around the country and more pupils are able to take part in these events as official school activities. Schools are even developing their own esports arenas acknowledging that, “skills practiced and honed as part of being in a team apply equally to any sport, and esports is no exception. These important skills and lessons include strategic thinking, planning, working with others, social skills, and managing success and failure.” The SA National Online School Championships held in June are proof that it has taken hold, and is rapidly growing.

Of course the largest event announced thus far (and we must say thus far as rAge has promised even more announcements in the near future) is the Intel Africa Masters. According to Michael James, project director of rAge, the Intel Africa Masters is the largest CS:GO cross-continent competition in Africa to date and has a prize pool of roughly half-a-million rand.

With so much on offer, there is little doubt that rAge is the place to be for gamers, streamers, fans of esports and even those who may be thinking of getting their company to dip their toes into this rapidly growing global phenomenon.

rAge Expo 2022: