Speedrunning: A New Kind of Esports?

27 January 2026

Imagine spending countless hours mastering a game, not to unlock achievements, not to beat your friends, and not even to get to the end… but to get to the end faster than anyone else in the world. That’s speedrunning in a nutshell. Now here’s the million-dollar question buzzing in the gaming world: Is speedrunning a new kind of esports? Let’s dive into this fascinating and fast-paced subculture of gaming and see if it has what it takes to sit among the titans of competitive play.

What Is Speedrunning, Really?

Speedrunning is exactly what it sounds like—finishing a game as fast as possible. But this isn’t just rushing through levels and skipping text boxes. It’s a carefully choreographed dance of precision, timing, muscle memory, and sometimes a little bit of glitch exploitation sprinkled in.

Players—called speedrunners—spend months (sometimes years) developing strategies, watching frame data, and experimenting with game mechanics to shave milliseconds off their times. Sounds intense, right? That’s because it is.

There are entire communities dedicated to this. Think of sites like Speedrun.com, forums, dedicated Discord channels, and Twitch streams filled with fans cheering on their favorite runners. At first glance, it might seem niche. But take a closer look, and you'll see that the speedrunning scene is booming.

The Rise of Speedrunning Culture

Speedrunning has existed almost as long as games themselves. Remember that braggadocious friend back in the day who claimed they could beat Super Mario Bros. in under 10 minutes? Well, that was basically proto-speedrunning.

But things didn’t really explode until the internet era. With tools like YouTube, Twitch, and live leaderboards, runners could finally share their achievements in real-time. Communities formed. Strategies evolved. And just like that, we had a full-blown phenomenon on our hands.

The annual Games Done Quick (GDQ) events are a testament to how big speedrunning has become. These charity marathons showcase the best of the best, raising millions of dollars in the process. Oh, and did we mention they draw in millions of viewers? Yeah, not exactly underground anymore.

What Makes Speedrunning Competitive?

Alright, here’s where things get spicy. Competition is the lifeline of any esport. So, does speedrunning tick the boxes?

- Leaderboards: First off, every run is timed, verified, and often blessed by a vigilant community of moderators. Every tenth of a second matters.

- World Records: Just like traditional sports or racing, there’s a global leaderboard. Getting to the top is like grabbing the Olympic gold—only with more pixels.

- Head-to-head Races: Ever seen two speedrunners go at it live? There are tournaments and races where the pressure is so intense, you’d think lives are on the line.

- Skill Ceiling: These aren’t just casual playthroughs. We’re talking about pixel-perfect jumps, frame-perfect inputs, precise menu navigation, and more. The kind of stuff machines would envy.

Speedrunning is essentially a battle of brains and reflexes. The competition is very real. So why isn’t it already considered an esport?

The Esports Checklist: Does Speedrunning Make the Cut?

Let’s line up speedrunning next to traditional esports like League of Legends, Dota 2, or CS:GO.

| Criteria | Traditional Esports | Speedrunning |
|-----------------------------|---------------------|----------------------|
| Competitive Format | ✅ | ✅ |
| Spectator Engagement | ✅ | ✅ |
| Skill-Based Gameplay | ✅ | ✅ |
| Prize Pools and Sponsorship| ✅ | ⚠️ (Growing) |
| Organized Leagues/Tournaments | ✅ | ⚠️ (Limited) |

Boom. Three out of five gets a gold star. But let’s be honest, speedrunning has some hurdles to overcome.

The Challenges Speedrunning Faces

Let’s not sugarcoat it—speedrunning isn’t perfect. There are a few roadblocks in its path to esport-dom:

1. Lack of Standardization

Games vary wildly. What works for one game doesn’t necessarily apply to another. Which category are we running? Any%, 100%, glitchless, low%, deathless? Unlike esports with set rules, speedrunning’s flexibility can be both a strength and a headache.

2. Monetization Problems

While GDQ racks up donations, most speedrunners aren’t getting rich. There’s no Riot Games or Valve pumping millions into prize pools. Monetization is largely community-driven—subs, donations, maybe a sponsorship or two.

3. Validation & Cheating

Since runs can be done offline and uploaded later, verifying legitimacy is crucial. The community has gotten really good at spotting cheats, but let’s face it, not everyone plays fair.

Why Speedrunning Might Be the Future

Despite its challenges, speedrunning has a few killer advantages that make it ripe for future esports success.

1. Low Barrier to Entry

You don’t need a high-end rig or a fancy membership to start speedrunning. Got a game? Got a timer? You’re good to go. This opens the door for a much wider pool of players.

2. Evergreen Content

Old games never die—they just get faster. Unlike esport titles that can fade with changing metas, speedrunning breathes new life into classics. There’s something magical about seeing someone dominate Super Metroid in under an hour decades after its release.

3. Community-driven Innovation

This is where speedrunning shines. The community is constantly discovering new glitches, strategies, and techniques. It's like watching science experiments in real-time.

4. Nostalgia Factor

Let's not underestimate the power of nostalgia. Watching a speedrun of your favorite childhood game? Instant emotional win. No other esport does that as effortlessly.

Esport or Not, Speedrunning Is Here to Stay

Whether or not speedrunning becomes officially recognized as an esport, one thing’s clear—it’s already a competitive gaming phenomenon. The lines between esports and speedrunning are blurring fast. The only difference might be in branding.

And hey, maybe that’s okay. Not everything needs to fit into a neat little box. Speedrunning is a unique beast. It's raw, it's passionate, and it's powered by sheer determination and love for games.

Honestly, that’s what makes it so damn compelling.

What Could Push Speedrunning Over the Edge?

Let’s indulge a little. What would it take for speedrunning to burst into the big leagues?

- Official Sponsorships: Brands love a good underdog story. With more financial support, tournaments could grow and attract professional players.

- Dedicated Tournaments: Imagine a global Speedrun League, with teams, brackets, and massive prize pools. Oh yes, the potential is sky high.

- Game Developer Support: Game studios could build-in speedrun-friendly features—timers, split tools, or even built-in leaderboards. Some already do, and it helps a lot.

- Broadcast Enhancements: Commentary, replays, reaction cams, player backstories. The whole esports spectacle package. There's room for more drama and flair to hook casual viewers.

Final Thoughts: The Thrill of the (Speed) Chase

Speedrunning is more than just a race—it’s a celebration of mastery, persistence, and a deep love for games. It’s got the drama, the skill, the hype… all it needs now is the spotlight.

So, is speedrunning a new kind of esports? Maybe not yet in the formal sense. But in spirit? Absolutely. It represents the very essence of competition: pushing limits, chasing perfection, and thrilling others in the process.

And who knows? With one more frame-perfect jump, a few more corporate eyes, and a lot more community fire, we might soon see speedrunning take its rightful place on the main stage.

I don’t know about you, but I’ll be watching.