Call for Abstracts for Esports Research Network Conference 2026

“Bridging Gaming Heritage and Esports Futures: Transformations, Traditions, and Tomorrow”

Organised by 
University of Tsukuba, Japan
15 – 17 September 2026
University of Tsukuba 30th Anniversary Hall 
(Daigaku Kaikan)

Conference Theme

“Bridging Gaming Heritage and Esports Futures:
Transformations, Traditions, and Tomorrow”

Background 

Japan stands as one of the world’s most influential pioneers in gaming culture, having shaped the global industry through iconic companies such as Konami, SEGA, and Nintendo, and by fostering a vibrant arcade and console gaming tradition that continues to inspire generations worldwide. This deep-rooted gaming heritage provides a powerful foundation for the ongoing expansion of esports within the country.

In recent years, Japan has entered a dynamic new phase in its gaming story—one where esports are gaining recognition as both a professional pursuit and a cultural movement. Milestones such as the relaxation of prize money regulations in 2018, the establishment of professional leagues, and the increasing acceptance of esports as a legitimate career path reflect a rapidly evolving ecosystem. These developments highlight Japan’s proactive steps toward building a sustainable esports future while drawing on its unparalleled gaming legacy.

The Japanese context provides an extraordinary opportunity to study how a nation with a globally admired gaming culture is shaping its own distinctive approach to esports. Unlike markets that developed primarily around PC gaming, Japan’s strong console and arcade heritage has given rise to unique community structures, player pathways, and fan experiences. Observing this transition offers valuable lessons on how different cultural traditions and technological innovations can intersect to create new models for esports growth.

The University of Tsukuba, with its expertise in sports sciences and cutting-edge research environment, provides the ideal setting for this academic exploration. Hosting the ERN Conference in Japan not only acknowledges the country’s central role in the history of gaming but also celebrates its emergence as a growing force in esports. This moment represents an opportunity for international researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to learn from Japan’s journey and contribute to shaping the global future of competitive gaming.

Furthermore, Japan’s situation raises important questions about the relationship between gaming industry leadership and esports success. The country’s experience demonstrates that excellence in game development and gaming culture doesn’t automatically translate to esports dominance. This disconnect provides fertile ground for research into the specific factors that contribute to successful esports ecosystem development, making it a particularly valuable location for academic discourse on the future of esports.

This unique position of Japan – as a gaming powerhouse but an emerging force in esports – makes it an especially interesting venue for the ERN Conference 2026. It offers participants the opportunity to examine both successful gaming industry development and the challenges of esports market evolution, providing valuable insights for researchers studying market development, cultural adaptation, and the future of competitive gaming.

The timing of the conference aligns with Japan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its position in the global esports landscape, making it an opportune moment to gather international researchers and industry experts to discuss these developments and their implications for the broader esports ecosystem. This convergence of established gaming excellence and emerging esports development makes Japan an ideal location for exploring the complexities and future directions of the global esports phenomenon.

Conference Theme 

The Conference Theme is “Bridging Gaming Heritage and Esports Futures: Transformations, Traditions, and Tomorrow”. This year’s theme explores intercultural perspectives on esports and video gaming, with a particular focus on the relationship between Asia and other regions. We invite critical and creative reflections on how esports and video gaming serve as a bridge between Asia and the wider world through social, technological, cultural, and economic innovation and progress. 

Call for Papers 

In line with this year’s conference theme, “Bridging Gaming Heritage and Esports Futures,” our objective is to foster deeper intercultural dialogue around the world through esports and video gaming. In particular, Japan’s video gaming industry has long been a global leader in the field, and the opportunity to engage directly with Japanese stakeholders in Japan offers significant value for all participants as we consider the future of the esports and video gaming industries.

Based on this understanding, we are pleased to receive your submissions. Suggested Topics include (but are not limited to): 

  • Comparative studies of esports infrastructures, history, and policy with Asian esports and video gaming ecosystem; 
  • Diversity and inclusion in esports and video gaming ecosystem; 
  • Collegiate and amateur esports development; 
  • Academic learning and educational programs through esports and video gaming; 
  • Digital labor, creators, and platform economies; 
  • Streaming, media, fan communities, and audience engagement in esports and video gaming; 
  • Technological innovation (e.g., Artificial Intelligence, data, analytics, streaming tools, metaverse) in esports and video gaming; 
  • Esports health, well-being, coaching, and performance studies; 
  • Video game publisher’s strategies, governance, standardization; 
  • Cross-regional collaboration and transnational esports institutions; 
  • Governance and management of esports ecosystem; 
  • Ethics study for esports and video gaming ecosystem; 
  • Methodologies for investigating esports in-person and online; 
  • Global implications for esports business and management; and 
  • Legal studies for esports and video gaming. 

We welcome contributions from a wide range of disciplines across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, including but not limited to media studies, business, education, communication, sociology, game studies, sports science, economics, law, digital humanities and related fields.

The abstract should not exceed 500 words (including references) and must be accompanied by a short biography of no more than 150 words. Please submit your contribution via our submission website: https://v3.esportsresearch.net/submission/. All submissions will be peer-reviewed.

All sessions will be conducted in English. Presenters will receive technical and production support from their chosen regional hub. Simultaneous AI translation, provided by Pocketalk, will be available so that participants may listen to interpretations in supported languages. However, to streamline the administrative and technical operation of the conference, all presentations must be delivered in English.

Key Dates 

  • Call for Proposals Launch: 1 March 2026 
  • Proposals Deadline: 25 May 2026
  • Notifications Sent: 15 July 2026 
  • Conference Dates: 15 September 2026 – 17 September 2026 
  • Content Archiving & Feedback: Begins 1 October 2026

Call for Proposals

Submission Page

Venues

Host University

  • University of Tsukuba, Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences 

Organising Body

  • Entertainment and Gaming Research Group, University of Tsukuba, Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (Responsible: Prof Dr Tsubasa Shinohara)
  • Entertainment and Gaming Research Association (EGRA) – Japanese Branch of ERN

Supporting Organising Body 

  • Esports Research Network (ERN) 

Conference Chair

  • Prof Dr Tsubasa Shinohara (Assistant Professor, University of Tsukuba, Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences)

Organising Committees

[Academic Teams]

  • Prof Dr Tobias Scholz (Associate Professor, University of Agder; Founding Chairperson, Esports Research Network)

Academic Organising Team Members 

[Administrative Team in Japan]

  • Prof Dr Tsubasa Shinohara (Assistant Professor, University of Tsukuba, Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences)
  • Prof Dr Yamamoto Hidehiro (Professor, University of Tsukuba, Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences) 
  • Prof Dr Shigeki Kusunoki (Professor, University of Tsukuba, Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences) 
  • Prof Daisuke Kobayashi (Associate Professor, Heisei International University)
  • Mr Yoshiaki Tsuboyama (Lecturer, Sapporo International University) 

[Academic Reviewing Team] 

  • Prof Dr Tobias Scholz (Associate Professor, University of Agder; Founding Chairperson, Esports Research Network)
  • Prof Dr Brian McCauley (Assistant Professor, Jönköping International Business School)
  • Prof Dr Seth Jenny (Associate Professor, Slippery Rock University) 
  • Prof Dr Nico Besombes (Assistant Professor, Universitéy of Paris Cité) 
  • Dr Julia Hiltscher (ESG Reporting Specialist, BIRKENSTOCK) 
  • Prof Dr Joanne Donoghue (Professor, NewYork Institute of Technology) 
  • Prof Dr Yaewon Jin (Assistant Professor, Ewha Womans University) 
  • Dr Tom Brock (Senior Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University) 
  • Prof Dr Amanda Cote (Associate Professor, Michigan State University) 
  • Mr Cameron Vanloo (Lecturer, Staffordshire University) 
  • Dr Cem Abanazir (Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University) 
  • Dr Oliver Leis (Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter, University of Leipzig)

[Business Teams]

  • Ms Sayo Okamoto (CEO/Founder, Gaku) 

Business Organising Team Members 

  • Ms Dawn Beasley (Executive Administrator, Gaku)
  • Ms Kaoru Kikyodani (Ibaraki Esports Industry Creation Project Promotion Council, Ibaraki Prefectural Government)
  • Mr Yu Nishioka (Sales Director, Poketalk Corporation)
  • Mr Kaname Tamiya (Elgato)
  • Mr Joe Setogawa (Elgato)

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