Russia Proposes National Esports Day to Celebrate Digital Competence

Russia, the first country to recognize esports as a legitimate sport, is considering a new national holiday to honor its growing digital culture.

A proposal to establish a national Esports Day has been introduced in Russia, where competitive gaming has evolved from a fringe hobby to a source of national pride. In 2001, Russia became the first country in the world to formally recognize esports as an official sport. Since then, its cultural and technological significance has only grown, according to State Duma Deputy Speaker Alexander Babakov, as reported by RIA Novosti.

Over the past two decades, Russian esports has exploded in popularity. More than 10,000 tournaments have been held, with participation exceeding 2.5 million players—including many international contenders. In 2024, at the direction of President Vladimir Putin, Russia hosted the CyberVostok international championship in Vladivostok.

Esports has also become a driver of innovation, spurring development in software, engineering, and digital skills. Team coordination, precision, and analytical thinking—hallmarks of elite gaming—are transferable to sectors such as drone operation, digital modeling, and beyond.

Russian esports is now viewed as a strategic asset within the nation’s defense and technology sectors. Its growth is helping build technological sovereignty, while global victories continue to elevate Russia’s standing as a high-tech leader on the world stage.