What is the first recognized e-sports competition in the world?

Space Invaders Championship

In 1980, Atari organized the "Space Invaders Championship," attracting over 10,000 participants across the United States. This competition is widely regarded as the event that birthed e-sports. The idea that a video game could bring together so many people for a competition was revolutionary at the time. This event laid the groundwork for the competitive video game industry, showcasing the potential of video games as a form of competition and entertainment. Today, e-sports has become a global phenomenon with millions of fans and prizes often surpassing those of traditional sports.