When there isn’t any live sports on TV, sports fans can turn to the video game world of sports on Twitch or other livestreaming platforms. Watching live sports with others (whether virtually or in person) creates dialogue and shared interest within any sports community.

What will the future look like for livestreaming sports games? The potential opportunities for live streamers in the sports world is only starting to be explored, and sports livestreaming may gain a lot more attention in the coming years.

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Speaking from personal experience, livestreaming and watching sports games is a thrilling and enjoyable venture. When I am livestreaming sports games like NHL 23 (EA Sport’s hockey game) it gives me an opportunity to connect with fellow hockey fans. You can talk to viewers about the virtual hockey game you are playing, but you can also chat about what is going on in the real hockey world. This is where the potential of livestreaming sports games can be expanded as technology continues to evolve.

One recent example was when professional NHL 23 players got the chance to attend the NHL All Star game earlier this year. As part of the events that led up to the game, the best of the best got the chance to do a live tournament on the beaches of Florida in front of a live audience. Players not only got the opportunity to compete for glory (and a generous cash prize) but they were also seen as “celebrities” in the sense that they got to interact with other media and the players at the event.

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Ideas stemming from this event have already been brainstormed for other sports games at an even larger scale. The real and virtual worlds of sports are starting to merge to create a combined community that welcomes all sides of the game. If you had the chance to play sports videos games and be included and mentioned by the top professionals of that sports league, wouldn’t you take that opportunity?

I know for sure I would, but I’m not a professional gamer so I will have to be content with streaming my virtual games to my audience on Twitch. One day it would be super cool to have a chance to play my favourite video game with a professional athlete.

This is only the tip of the iceberg for the potential that livestreaming sports games can reach if the market and audience continues to be explored. The next time you have an urge to watch sports, don’t forget the sports gaming community, the streamers are always there for you to get your sports fix.