ESBD Makes Three Requests to the New Federal Government

As the coalition negotiations continue, the E-Sport-Bund Deutschland (ESBD) has addressed three demands to the negotiators from the CDU/CSU and SPD: recognition of the non-profit status of esports, strategic support for esports, and a clear commitment to Germany as a location for esports.

The E-Sport-Bund Deutschland (ESBD) has three demands for the negotiators of the next federal government, a coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD. "Non-profit status remains the urgently needed foundation for esports in Germany. It is important that every club that already offers esports or wants to extend its offer to esports has the necessary legal security to do so in the public interest," says ESBD President Christopher Flato. "Politicians have been discussing the recognition of non-profit status for esports since 2017. It is long overdue to be implemented."

Non-profit status for clubs is becoming even more important, especially in light of the Olympic Esports Games. Starting in 2027, the Games will run for twelve years. Flato: "The Olympic Esports Games will include titles from a wide range of genres, not all of which are widely represented. Successful participation in the Games must therefore go hand in hand with the development of structures across the board, which is only made possible by the recognition of non-profit status." The development of a Team Germany made up of players of these games is something that the Federal Government must continue to help shape.

The strategic support of esports by the Federal Government should also include the implementation of the results of the first industry dialogue in 2024. In discussions with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, representatives of the esports community have identified measures such as project funding, workshops, roundtables at federal and state level, and a regular industry dialogue. In order to make a clear commitment to Germany as a location for esports, the ESBD believes that representatives of the federal government should, for example, take on the patronage of important tournaments or events in the future and show their presence there. "Germany has the potential to become a much more significant player in global esports. However, this requires a clear political and, above all, public commitment to go down this road together," says Flato.

Never miss anything from the German, Swiss and Austrian games industry again: subscribe for free to our Daily newsletter and get all news straight to your inbox.