As the popularity of esports surges across all demographics, women have become a growing force in the community. To support these developments, the Hungarian Esports Association (Hunesz) created a Women’s Esports Division earlier this year.
The competition took place as part of the Women’s Esports Division Day on Sep. 20, showcasing opportunities and career paths for women in this rapidly growing sector. Hungary’s top four female teams battled it out in the landmark event, highlighting the growing opportunities for women in competitive gaming.
Globally, female esports players are receiving increased recognition and opportunities, with organizations tied to the industry acknowledging the importance of a more balanced gender representation. Hungary is aligning itself with these trends, as demonstrated by the formation of the Women’s Esports Division by Hunesz.
Already this year, a Hungarian women’s team participated for the first time in the European regional qualifiers for the International Esports Federation (IESF) World Championship, playing Counter-Strike 2, a tactical first-person shooter game. Eszter Németh represented Hungary at the Global Esports Federation’s 2024 Global Esports Games in China, competing in Assetto Corsa, a racing video game developed by the Italian video game developer Kunos Simulazioni.
The Valorant (a character-based first-person shooter game) 2v2 Spike Queen Challenge powered by K&H saw the top four female teams advance from the qualifying rounds for the final at the Delta1 Esports Café.
“The K&H Group is not only a dedicated supporter of Hungarian esports but also a pioneer in championing the women’s division,” emphasized Nóra Horváth Magyary Voljč, communications director at K&H Group.
“Creating equal opportunities, not just in business but across all areas of life, is vital. Esports, as a dynamically evolving discipline, benefits immensely from advancing equality from the very start. It’s crucial that every committed and determined female player is given the chance to develop their skills and achieve excellence,” she said.
“Esports, much like traditional sports such as football or motor racing, unfortunately, grapples with sexist stereotypes against female players, and there is also the persistent issue of online harassment. Statistics from Wifitalents show that while 46% of gamers are women, many choose gender-neutral usernames to avoid negative comments,” Horváth Magyary Voljč added.
In conjunction with the tournament, the Women’s Esports Division Day was held at the same venue. Experts discussed career opportunities in women’s esports, female representation in gaming, and the challenges women and mothers face in this competitive space. The goal was not only to highlight the achievements of female esports athletes but also to inspire the next generation through their stories of success.
An essential aspect of the day was the focus on breaking down gender barriers in esports. Hunesz emphasized the importance of increasing female participation and its determination to create a more inclusive and balanced environment for female players.
It highlighted that, despite the growing popularity of esports among women, there are still significant challenges, including societal acceptance and combating sexist stereotypes. The Women’s Esports Division is designed to address these issues by creating more opportunities for women in competitive gaming.
“We are working to eliminate gender inequality in esports so that female players receive the same recognition and opportunities as their male counterparts. Women’s presence in esports is not only important for equality but also reflects the diversity and richness of the sport. However, to make esports truly inclusive and accessible to all, it is essential first to increase the societal acceptance and participation of female players,” stressed Balázs Biró, secretary general of Hunesz.
Participants in the Valorant 2v2 Spike Queen Challenge had the chance to showcase their skills in a professional setting, with industry experts and sponsors like K&H supporting the cause of gender equality in gaming. K&H has been a longstanding supporter of esports in Hungary. Its involvement in the tournament underlined its commitment to ensuring that female players receive the same opportunities for growth and recognition as their male counterparts.
This tournament is part of a broader movement in Hungary and globally to foster greater inclusion in esports, ensuring that women have the same access to the platforms and support they need to succeed at the highest levels of competition.
The inaugural winner of the Valorant 2v2 Spike Queen Challenge powered by K&H was a team called 1C2G, whose players go by the handles Nana and Bius.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of October 4, 2024.
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