Santesih

Study Day

Toward more professionalized esports practices?

May 21 & 22, 2026

Esports conference co-hosted by Montpellier University (Faculty of Sports Sciences, France) and the Hanoi School of Business and Management, Vietnam National University (HSB-VNU, Vietnam).

HSB-Montpellier Esports Conference 2026 – Updated Program (May 15 Final) – PDF 329 KBDownload

Call for oral presentations – Esports conference co-hosted by Montpellier University (Faculty of Sports Sciences, France) and the Hanoi School of Business and Management, Vietnam National University (HSB-VNU, Vietnam).

Call for Oral Presentations – Conference on the Sustainable Development of Esports – PDF 553 KBDownload

Abstract

For the first joint conference organized by Montpellier University and HSB-VNU, we decided to examine the conditions for the professionalization and sustainability of esports. In particular, the goal is to bring together research from various disciplines to explore the benefits, limitations, and tensions associated with the professional structuring of esports. This conference therefore aims to offer a comprehensive and critical analysis by examining both the practices of esports stakeholders and the methodologies employed by scholars.

Proposal

Please submit your proposal (title, five keywords, and a 300-word abstract) along with a brief biography of the author(s) by March 30, 2026. Please find below a summary of the conference topics:

Axis 1: Health, performance, and player inclusion

  1. Mental health and burnout prevention for professional esports players.
  2. Holistic support strategies (nutrition, ergonomics, psychology, and training).
  3. Gender inequality and inclusion dynamics within competitive environments.
  4. Professional training and dual-track program for young esports players.
  5. Structuring the training environment and innovation in performance monitoring.

Axis 2: General structure of the esports industry

  1. The Institutionalization of Esports: Challenges, Resistance, and Comparative Models.
  2. Governance and integrity in esports competitions.
  3. Legal regulations and player contracts: current status and future prospects.
  4. Communication strategies during crises and image management within esports organizations.
  5. Relationships between public and private actors in the development of the esports ecosystem.

Axis 3: Business Models and Sustainability

  1. Diversification of revenue streams: merchandising, ticketing, exclusive content, etc.
  2. Club funding: fundraising, grants, and public-private partnerships.
  3. Corporate social responsibility in esports business models.
  4. Esports tourism and its integration with other cultural industries (fashion, music, film).
  5. Toward Sustainable Financial Autonomy: Strategies and Best Organizational Practices.

Each proposal must clearly define the research question, methodologies, framework, and results. Each presentation will follow this format: a 20-minute presentation and a 10-minute Q&A session. All proposals must be submitted to the following email address: