The World eSports Summit, hosted by the International Esports Federation, took place on 10 February 2026 at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Busan. The event focused on building an academic foundation for the growth and sustainability of the esports industry, sparking deep discussions between industry leaders and academia. Notably, the session titled 'Esports Industry: Connecting Field Insights to Academic Research' explored the necessity and direction for establishing esports as a formal academic discipline.

Professor Song Seok-rok of Kyungdong University, president of the Korea e-Sports Industry Association and session chair, shared his experiences from the early days of esports and the founding of the international federation. 'It is high time we treat esports as an independent industry and academic field, rather than just an extension of gaming,' he argued. Song warned that without securing public interest, educational value, and industrial viability, sustainable development remains a pipe dream, calling for complex discussions on governance, education, standardisation, and para-esports.

Dr. Cho Hyun-joo from the Korea Institute of Sport Science pointed to traditional sports, arguing that esports requires an 'academic foundation that supports its values and philosophy.' Dr. Cho insisted that policy research must move beyond simple status analysis to convince stakeholders that esports is a sector worthy of public investment. She suggested academic research networks and data-driven studies as key, adding that systematic academisation is required to link esports with content industries, sports policies, and international sports governance.

Professor Yeo Hyung-il of Woosuk University detailed the history and international trends of para-esports, asserting that esports is arguably the only sport where disabled and non-disabled individuals can compete on truly level ground. To advance the field, he highlighted the need for professional coaching, dedicated facilities, customised assistive technology research, and accessible game design. He also stressed that academic research and institutional support are essential for paving the way into the Paralympics and other major international tournaments.

For Professor Lee Sang-ho of Kyungsung University, 'standardisation' is the linchpin for industry sustainability. He criticised the current fragmented structure, where environments, equipment, networks, and rules vary wildly between investors and organisers, as a barrier to fairness and stability. He urged the establishment of an internationally agreed-upon standard system and argued that esports should be defined as a unique academic and industrial category rather than merely being compared to traditional sports. He also touched upon the future potential of integrating AI and physical esports.

Professor Kim Se-yoon of Dankook University, after analysing domestic research trends, diagnosed an over-reliance on fan and consumer-centric marketing studies. He noted a glaring lack of research covering human resources such as players, coaches, and industry workers. To improve the quality of esports education, he stated that a clear definition of industry scope and classification systems must come first. He also advocated for a cohesive educational pipeline from universities to academies, alongside more international comparative studies and policy-driven research.

The session made one thing crystal clear: the esports industry has moved past its initial growth phase and must now secure academic legitimacy and institutional grounding. The panel identified the independent establishment of esports as a discipline, industrial classification, standardisation, education and talent development, inclusive structures for the disabled, and data-driven policy research as the most critical tasks ahead.