Esports and Gaming in Russia in 2026: One in Five Russians Has Participated in an Esports Tournament at Least Once, While Residents of Pskov Oblast Spend the Most on Gaming Services

To mark the conclusion of Sber’s 4th Esports Tournament, the Association for the Development of Interactive Advertising (ARIR), the Russian Advertising Industry Analytical Center (AC RIR), and Sber’s in-house analytics team conducted a study titled “Esports and Gaming in Russia — 2026.”

According to the survey results and collected statistics, one in five Russians (19%) has taken part in an esports tournament at least once, while nearly a quarter of players with competitive experience (24%) are seriously considering a professional career in the field.

The data also showed that Russians are playing video games more often, particularly on mobile devices. Every day or almost every day, 45% of gamers play on smartphones and 34% on computers. Interest in gaming consoles is also growing: over the past two years, the share of players who use them has risen from 41% to 46%.

For some Russians, esports is becoming not just a hobby but a possible career path. Among those who have already participated in tournaments, 24% are seriously considering a career as an esports player, coach, analyst, commentator, or tournament organizer. Another 35% say they may consider it in the future. Among Russians without competitive experience, only 3% are seriously considering a professional esports career.

At the same time, most tournament participants (88%) have only amateur experience so far. For them, competitions are an opportunity to test their abilities, gain their first experience playing on a team, and try to reach a higher level.

The study also looked at parents’ attitudes toward their children’s interest in esports. Among parents of school-age children, 37% have a positive attitude toward the prospect of their child pursuing a professional esports career, 31% are neutral, and 28% are negative.

Parents who play video games themselves are much more likely to support their child’s choice. Among them, 48% are positive about their children pursuing a career in esports, compared with just 19% of parents who do not play. The prospect is viewed negatively by 18% of gamer parents and 44% of those who are not interested in video games.

Most parents of schoolchildren (80%) are willing to provide their children with moral and emotional support in their pursuit of esports. More than half (55%) are willing to help with buying equipment and finding a team or coaches. Some 41% are ready to pay for training, while 36% would cover tournament entry fees and related travel expenses.

Parents’ willingness to financially support their children’s interest varies considerably by income level. Among families with an income of over 100,000 rubles per person, 80% are willing to pay for the necessary equipment and software, 67% for training and coaching, and 62% for tournament participation and travel. Among parents with an income of up to 50,000 rubles, the figures are 45%, 32%, and 27%, respectively.

Interest in gaming is also influenced by gender and age. According to anonymized Sber data, more than half (52%) of customers who make purchases through gaming services are under 25. Men account for 75% of buyers and women for 25%.

On average, residents of Pskov Oblast spend the most on gaming services: since the beginning of 2026, average monthly spending per customer has been about 1,600 rubles. They are followed by the Nenets and Chukotka Autonomous Okrugs, at around 1,400 rubles. In Moscow, the figure is 1,100 rubles.

The study “Esports and Gaming in Russia — 2026” was conducted by the Russian Advertising Industry Analytical Center using an online survey. The nationwide stage included 3,063 participants, and a separate study of the esports audience included 1,240 respondents. The findings were compared with those of a 2024 study. Sber’s analytics are based on data about customers who have made purchases through gaming services since the beginning of 2026.