On any given evening, thousands of young people across Europe are gathering, collaborating and competing. They are building friendships, learning teamwork, solving problems and developing new skills. Yet most city leaders never see it happen. Unlike a football match in a local park or a training session at a sports club, these interactions often take place online, largely invisible to policymakers, facility managers and community leaders. But that does not make them any less real.
As participation patterns continue to evolve, cities are increasingly being challenged to rethink where and how communities are formed. For generations, sports clubs, community centres and cultural venues have played a central role in bringing people together. While these institutions remain incredibly valuable, younger generations are engaging with the world differently. The question for municipalities is no longer whether these communities exist, but how cities can connect with them.
That question was explored at the heart of a recent ESWAM webinar on the role of esports in urban development. Bringing together European experts from Poland, Denmark and the Netherlands, the discussion revealed a growing shift in thinking. Across Europe, esports is increasingly being viewed not simply as entertainment or competition, but as a tool for social connection, community building and civic engagement. This webinar highlighted a reality that many municipalities are beginning to recognise, if cities want to remain relevant to future generations, they need to understand where people gather, how they interact and what motivates them to participate in community life.
Few cities illustrate that transformation better than Katowice. Located in the heart of one of Europe's largest metropolitan regions, the Polish city spent decades defined by coal mining and heavy industry. Like many post-industrial cities, it faced the challenge of reinventing itself for a new era. More than a decade ago, an unexpected opportunity emerged through esports. In 2013, Katowice hosted its first Intel Extreme Masters event. What began as a gaming tournament quickly evolved into one of the most iconic esports events in the world. Every year, tens of thousands of visitors travelled to the city, filling hotels, restaurants and public spaces while putting Katowice on the international map. Yet according to Rafał Trybuś from PEGA, the true impact extended far beyond tourism and economic activity. As the event grew, schools began exploring esports and gaming as educational tools, community organisations launched local initiatives and young people became involved as participants, organisers and creators. What started as a major event gradually evolved into a local ecosystem built around innovation, creativity and engagement.
That ecosystem may ultimately prove more valuable than the event itself. With Intel Extreme Masters moving away from Katowice, the city is entering a new chapter. Rather than trying to replace one major event with another, Katowice is investing in a Gaming & Technology Hub that brings together gaming, technology, innovation and creative industries. The ambition is to build a sustainable future where talent can develop, businesses can grow and communities can connect throughout the year. It is a powerful reminder that while major events can attract attention, lasting impact comes from creating local ecosystems that continue to generate value long after the spotlight has moved on.
A very different, yet equally compelling, story is unfolding in Copenhagen. While Katowice used esports as part of its economic and cultural transformation, the Danish capital views gaming primarily through a social lens. Inside one of the city's major sports complexes, esports has become an innovative way to engage groups that traditional programmes sometimes struggle to reach. Young people experiencing loneliness, citizens with disabilities and vulnerable groups looking for connection often find gaming a more accessible entry point than traditional sports activities. Peter Palsberg and Martin Carl from the City of Copenhagen explained how esports can create engagement, build confidence and foster a sense of belonging. Participants enter through a shared interest in gaming, but often leave with something far more valuable: friendships, social skills and meaningful connections to others.
“The question for municipalities is no longer whether these communities exist, but how cities can connect with them.”
What makes Copenhagen's approach particularly interesting is that gaming is never viewed in isolation. The esports facility at the Grøndal Multicenter sits alongside traditional sports activities, creating opportunities for participants to move naturally between physical and digital environments. Gaming becomes part of a broader ecosystem of wellbeing, participation and community development. The city has also discovered that successful esports programmes require municipalities to think differently about partnerships and facility management. Running an esports venue involves more than providing equipment. Staff need technical knowledge, gaming literacy and pedagogical skills. Success often depends on collaboration between departments responsible for sport, youth, education, culture and social services. In many ways, esports challenges cities to move beyond traditional policy silos and adopt a more integrated approach to community development.
The importance of community was also central to the presentation by architect Dafne Wiegers, whose work includes projects such as Team Liquid's headquarters in Utrecht and the recently opened MOUZ headquarters in Hamburg. Her perspective focused not on gaming itself, but on the spaces where gaming communities come together. Unlike football pitches, basketball courts or swimming pools, gaming often takes place behind closed doors. Millions of people participate, yet much of that activity remains hidden from public view. As a result, cities can easily underestimate both the size and potential of these communities.
These projects in Utrecht and Hamburg help to change that perception. Located in highly visible city-centre locations, these facilities are designed to be part of everyday urban life rather than isolated destinations. Large windows invite curiosity from passers-by. Open layouts encourage interaction. The venues function not only as training environments for players, but also as community spaces where people can gather, watch events, learn new skills and spend time together. The technology may attract people through the door, but it is the social experience that keeps them engaged. By making gaming communities visible, cities have an opportunity to strengthen social connections and create new forms of civic participation.
Perhaps that was the most important message emerging from the webinar. The conversation was never really about gaming hardware, software or professional competition. It was about connection. It was about finding new ways to engage residents, particularly those who may not participate in traditional programmes. And it was about recognising that community can take many different forms. As cities across Europe continue searching for solutions to challenges such as loneliness, social isolation and declining participation in traditional structures, esports is increasingly becoming part of the answer. Not because it replaces sport, culture or community work, but because it complements them.
The communities already exist. They gather every day, often unseen by the institutions designed to serve them. The cities that are leading the way are not asking whether esports belongs in their community. They are recognising that the community is already there and finding meaningful ways to support it. In an increasingly digital world, that may be one of the most important lessons cities can learn: sometimes the strongest communities are the ones hiding in plain sight.
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