Bavaria Funds E-Sport Verband Bayern to Bring Esports to Rural Areas

The E-Sport Verband Bayern e.V. (EVB) has been awarded €135,940 in funding by the Bavarian State Ministry of Digital Affairs. The EVB will use these funds to launch its Bavaria-wide roadshow, 'Next Stop: E-Sport', in late summer 2025. This will be the first time that esports have been brought directly to rural areas in this way. The roadshow will include tournaments, workshops and educational formats for young people, parents and interested parties. As part of the initiative, parents and clubs will also be informed about important topics relating to youth protection and media use, with the aim of strengthening knowledge and understanding. The Bavarian State Parliament is providing funding for the implementation of the project as part of the parliamentary initiatives of the Freie Wähler and CSU parties.

The E-Sport Verband Bayern e.V. (EVB) has been awarded €135,940 in funding by the Bavarian State Ministry of Digital Affairs. The EVB will use these funds to launch its Bavaria-wide roadshow, 'Next Stop: E-Sport', in late summer 2025. This will be the first time that esports have been brought directly to rural areas in this way. The roadshow will include tournaments, workshops and educational formats for young people, parents and interested parties. As part of the initiative, parents and clubs will also be informed about important topics relating to youth protection and media use, with the aim of strengthening knowledge and understanding. The Bavarian State Parliament is providing funding for the implementation of the project as part of the parliamentary initiatives of the Freie Wähler and CSU parties.

Dr. Fabian Mehring, Minister of State: "Esports combine digital education, teamwork and dedication. We are now bringing these opportunities to Bavaria's rural regions in a targeted manner. Our project demonstrates how modern technologies can enhance local life, offering new leisure activities, career prospects and opportunities for voluntary work. Esports play a significant role in the lives of many young people, offering opportunities for personal growth. In this way, we are promoting digital participation for the whole state, not just large cities."

Sandra Bloy, President of the E-Sport Association of Bavaria, said: "This funding is a real opportunity for us as a young association in Bavaria. It will enable us to take esports directly to rural areas, identify young talent and inspire parents and children with our passion, while strengthening local communities in the long term. It is clear that the Free State of Bavaria recognises the importance of esports for youth culture, education, and the digital future. We therefore look forward to continuing our excellent cooperation with the State Ministry for Digital Affairs and Minister Mehring."

As part of the project, EVB is focusing on a four-part concept consisting of a mobile roadshow visiting four rural regions with interactive activities for all ages, training for C-licensed esports coaches to promote local initiatives, a Bavarian esports tournament with online preliminary rounds and live finals, and online workshops on media literacy, volunteering, and career opportunities. The roadshow will begin in September 2025 and the project will run until the end of the year. It will be implemented in close cooperation with schools, youth centres, and municipal partners.

"With this project, we are bringing esports to smaller communities, and thus to young people in rural areas, specifically. Esports creates new leisure activities and promotes equal opportunities. It also strengthens volunteer work and builds digital structures where clubs need them. This means that our villages are becoming digital arenas, with esports becoming a real driver of social development in Bavaria," Mehring emphasises.

The E-Sport-Verband Bayern, the organisation responsible for the project, was founded in 2023 to represent the interests of the esports and gaming community in Bavaria. "Through this project, the EVB is establishing itself as a bridge builder between the public and the esports community. Support from the State Ministry for Digital Affairs is a clear indication of the increasing significance of esports as a cultural and educational tool, both in urban and rural areas," says the association.

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