Majority of Young Australians Want Esports at the Olympics, Study Reveals
A major worldwide study has revealed that a majority of young Australians believe esports deserve to be in the Olympic Games – but older generations disagree.
The global Logitech G study surveyed 1,500 Australians, finding that an eye-catching 59% of Aussies aged 18-24 believe esports should be part of the Olympics, but this enthusiasm drops sharply with age. The sentiment wasn’t shared by the broader Australian population, with overall agreement sitting at 22%, falling to 19% among 45-54-year-olds, and plummeting to just 4.6% among Australians aged 55 and over.
“The results of this study expose a clear generational divide in how Australians define sport and entertainment,” says Daniel Hall, Senior Category Manager at Logitech G ANZ. “Gaming is a large part of many young Australians’ lifestyles, so it is perhaps unsurprising that the majority feel it should be included in the Olympics. However, these figures point at something deeper – an evolving conversation around what makes a sportsperson.
“While older generations might be sceptical of the comparison, the reality is that professional gamers are skilled cognitive athletes – they endure extensive multi-hour training schedules, require split-second reflexes and handle intense pressure just like a gymnast, sprinter or swimmer. As these findings show, differences between what could traditionally be called ‘sports’ and ‘entertainment’ are narrowing, with lines becoming increasingly blurred with each new generation.”
The data collected as part of a wider global study of 18,000 participants also indicated that while half of the 18-to-24-year-olds surveyed worldwide support esports in the Olympics, young Australians track nearly 10% ahead of their global peers. As Hall explains, these findings indicate that the country’s younger generations are taking the country’s deep-rooted enthusiasm for sport to new arenas.
“Considering how outdoorsy we are brought up to be here Down Under, it’s very interesting that young Aussies are among the more passionate supporters globally when it comes to esports in the Olympics,” he concludes. “It further reinforces that we are genuinely a sports-mad nation, but this enthusiasm isn’t just confined to the pitch or pool anymore. Aussies love competition, team strategy and the thrill of a win, so it’s only natural that this passion has spilled over into the digital arena.”
About the Author
Adrian Gunning Adrian lives in Melbourne Australia and has a huge passion for gaming, technology and pop culture. He recently finished his a Bachelor of Journalism and is currently focusing on games journalism. When not writing and playing video games, Adrian can be found in Comics 'R' Us debating the pros of the DC Universe and cons of the Marvel Universe.
Related Posts
DUNE: SKATE DECK—SHAI-HULUD BY DARK HORSE DIRECT →
BlizzCon 2026 Digital Bundles just dropped on the Battle.net Shop →
BRYAN ADAMS first Melbourne show sold out with a second Melbourne show added to the Roll With The Punches arena tour →
