Esports Research Network Conference 2026 Held

The Esports Research Network Conference 2026 (ERNC 2026) was held at the University Hall from September 15 to 17. Researchers, educators, and industry professionals from around the world gathered together and discussed current trends in esports research, its social significance, and the future of the esports industry.

In the opening ceremony, President NAGATA Kyosuke delivered a video message, noting that esports have the potential not only to contribute to economic growth but also to provide educational opportunities for people of all ages, from young students to older adults. He also highlighted the potential of esports studies as an interdisciplinary field that bridges the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among academia, industry, and public authorities.

Associate Professor Tobias Scholz at the University of Agder and Founding Chairperson of the Esports Research Network described esports research as "an interdisciplinary field that does not fit neatly within the boundaries of any single academic discipline." He further explained that esports, while rooted in digital technologies, is fundamentally a human-centered activity. He emphasized its importance as a subject of academic research for addressing contemporary societal issues such as artificial intelligence, health, and inclusion, and highlighted the value of international collaboration and exchange among researchers.

Professor USUYAMA Toshinobu, Dean of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences and host of the conference, spoke about the rapid evolution of esports over the past decade. He noted that esports have grown beyond a form of entertainment to become a global phenomenon influencing a wide range of fields, including education, technology, business, and culture. He highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary research in exploring the social, economic, and cultural dimensions of esports and underscored the significance of hosting the conference in Japan.

Assistant Professor SHINOHARA Tsubasa at the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences and Conference Chair of the ERNC 2026, expressed his appreciation to the participants, sponsors, and supporting organizations from Japan and abroad. He noted that preparations for the conference, the first ERN Conference to be held in Japan, had begun two years earlier and that the event was made possible through the cooperation of many individuals and institutions, including students, faculty, and staff of the University of Tsukuba.
He also expressed his hope that the three-day event would serve as a catalyst for new connections and collaborative research among participants, while contributing to the continued growth of the international esports research community.

Throughout the three-day conference, participants, including H.R.H. Prince Omar Bin Faisal of Jordan, President of the Jordan Esports Federation, who attended as part of efforts to promote esports, engaged in in-depth discussions on new opportunities to bridge academic research and industry practice, while sharing insights that will help drive the continued development of esports research.