The German Esports Federation (ESBD - Esport-Bund Deutschland) has unveiled a comprehensive set of initiatives aimed at developing grassroots esports across the country, marking a significant step forward for Germany's competitive gaming landscape.

Announced at a press conference in Berlin, these ambitious plans include new funding mechanisms, training programs, and regional competitions designed to foster talent and increase participation in esports throughout Germany.

€5 Million Investment in Grassroots Development

At the heart of the announcement is a €5 million investment fund dedicated to grassroots esports development. This funding, gathered through partnerships with technology companies, game publishers, and regional governments, will be allocated over the next three years to various development programs.

"Our goal is to create sustainable infrastructure for esports that reaches every corner of Germany," said Hans Wagner, President of the ESBD. "This funding will help establish local clubs, provide equipment to underprivileged communities, and create career pathways for young talent."

The investment will be distributed through grants to local organizations, schools, and existing sports clubs looking to incorporate esports into their programs.

National Training Framework

The ESBD also unveiled a standardized national training framework for esports coaches and administrators, addressing a critical gap in the current ecosystem.

"Professional coaching is key to developing competitive talent," explained Julia Schmidt, ESBD's Director of Education. "Our new certification program will ensure coaches across Germany have the necessary skills to nurture young players, with emphasis not just on gaming skills but also physical fitness, mental health, and ethical competition."

The framework includes:

  • Three-tiered coaching certification program
  • Standardized curriculum for youth development
  • Mental health training for coaches and team managers
  • Nutritional guidance specifically designed for competitive gamers
  • Ethics and sportsmanship modules

Training centers will be established in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, and Leipzig, with online components available to ensure nationwide accessibility.

Bundesliga Esports: A New Regional Competition Structure

Perhaps the most exciting announcement is the creation of "Bundesliga Esports," a tiered competition structure modeled after Germany's football league system.

"We're taking inspiration from what works so well in traditional German sports," said Wagner. "By creating regional divisions that feed into national competitions, we'll ensure that talent can be discovered and developed regardless of where in Germany a player lives."

The Bundesliga Esports will initially feature competitions in four titles: League of Legends, Counter-Strike, FIFA, and Rocket League, with plans to expand to additional games in the future.

"This structured approach to competition is exactly what German esports needs. It creates clear pathways from amateur to professional play and helps legitimize esports as a genuine competitive pursuit."

— Marcel Schmidt, Captain of BIG's League of Legends team

School Integration Program

The ESBD is also launching a pilot program to integrate esports into school activities across five federal states, working closely with education ministries to develop appropriate frameworks.

"We're not suggesting that kids should play video games during math class," clarified Schmidt. "Rather, we're establishing after-school programs that use esports to teach teamwork, strategic thinking, and digital literacy, all within a supervised environment that emphasizes healthy gaming habits."

The school program will include:

  • Age-appropriate game selection for different educational levels
  • Teacher training on esports supervision and education integration
  • Inter-school competitions with emphasis on sportsmanship
  • Digital citizenship and online safety components
  • Career pathway information for students interested in the esports industry

Industry and Government Response

The initiatives have been met with enthusiasm from both the gaming industry and governmental bodies.

"These programs represent the maturation of esports in Germany," said Klaus Müller from the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community. "By focusing on structure, education, and ethical development, the ESBD is addressing many of the concerns that have historically kept esports from being fully embraced as a legitimate competitive activity."

Game publishers have also expressed support, with several committing additional resources to help implement the regional competition structure.

Looking Forward

Implementation of these initiatives will begin in January 2024, with the first Bundesliga Esports season scheduled to commence in March. The ESBD expects that within five years, these programs will increase organized esports participation in Germany by 300% and significantly improve the competitive performance of German teams in international competitions.

"Today marks a new chapter for German esports," concluded Wagner. "With these structured approaches to development, funding, and competition, we're not just catching up to leading esports nations – we're creating a uniquely German model that could become the standard for sustainable esports development worldwide."