Abstract: The article analyzes the key trends in the development of the sports industry and defines the place and role of esports within its structure. Esports refers to organized competitive activities involving video games through the internet or local area networks (LAN). It is evident that esports follows a certain historical trajectory, which has shaped its current characteristics, including competition, social interaction, economic and cultural elements, entertainment, popularity, and professionalism. The paper identifies the key components of the esports ecosystem, which includes video games, players, teams, spectators, gaming communities, institutions, publishers, and any sponsors associated with them. Esportsʼ ecosystem is a complex network of interconnected elements, encompassing players, tournament organizers, teams, sponsors, media, and platforms for broadcasting and training. The growth of this industry reflects not only the increasing popularity of video games but also shifts in cultural and economic paradigms, particularly in the digital space. A distinctive feature of esports is that while it shares many external elements with traditional sports, its characteristics prevent it from being classified as a sport in the classic sense of physical activity. The paper defines the key types and categories of esports, its elements, and structure. It describes the market size in terms of its geographic spread and the main segments that generate revenue. The study finds that esports demonstrates dynamic growth, both in terms of market size, participant numbers, and revenue generation. The article explores the fundamental aspects of how the esports ecosystem operates, its interactions with other industries, and the primary factors driving its development, including technological innovations, investments in educational programs, and the shifting societal perception of esports as a profession. Special attention is given to the economic dimension of esports, particularly the impact of sponsorship deals and media platforms on the increasing popularity of disciplines and professional players.