Víctor Jordán, Academic Director of Johan Cruyff Institute, participated in a roundtable at the ISE, where the growth of the eSports industry in Barcelona was discussed
With over two decades of experience, Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) is a leading event in the audiovisual industry. The 2025 edition attracted 85,351 attendees from 168 countries, who gathered to collaborate, connect, and do business. Johan Cruyff Institute was part of this event, participating in the roundtable titled “The Capital of Innovation: How Barcelona is Becoming a Gaming and Esports HUB.” This conversation took place at the Esports Arena, a space at the ISE Show dedicated to eSports technology and innovation.
At the roundtable, Víctor Jordán shared insights with prominent figures from the eSports industry. The debate featured Joan Francesc Bañó, Executive Director of GameBCN; Ferran Punti García, CEO of The Breach Studios; and Jordi Soler, General Director of the Professional Video Game League (LVP). During the session, they discussed the growth of gaming and eSports in Barcelona, as well as its role as a leading hub in the industry.
In his speech at ISE, Víctor Jordán highlighted Johan Cruyff Institute‘s track record in eSports education. “Since 2020, when we signed an agreement with LVP, we have been offering a free online course (MOOC) on eSports. Since its launch, we’ve had nearly 4,000 people enrolled. Of these, about 30% have completed the course, which is a very high number when considering the average completion rate of free programs. This is one of our small contributions as an institution,” he explained.
“Since 2020, when we signed an agreement with LVP, we have been offering a free online course (MOOC) on eSports. Since its launch, we’ve had nearly 4,000 people enrolled. This is one of our small contributions as an institution.” Victor Jordan
Johan Cruyff Institute’s MOOC “The eSports Industry” is an excellent introduction to the world of electronic sports. The course, organized in collaboration with Mediapro and LVP, provides a comprehensive overview of the industry, covering areas such as management, marketing, talent development, and current trends in eSports. It also offers an understanding of how eSports has become one of the fastest-growing industries, with a significant impact on culture, technology, and the global economy.
In recent years, the eSports industry has experienced exponential growth. In 2024, the global eSports market is expected to generate revenues of $187.7 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of +2.1%. This boom has been driven by the expansion of streaming platforms, the professionalization of teams, and increased investments from brands and sponsors in the industry.
On the other hand, Víctor Jordán also referred to the type of talent in Barcelona and how it is sought after by other European countries: “Not only is there talent in Barcelona, which is highly recognized, but it is also very special. They are ‘fixers’, able to work in chaotic circumstances, and that is highly valued in different industries. This ability to solve challenges quickly attracts many companies from Central and Northern Europe.”
“Not only is there talent in Barcelona, which is highly recognized, but it is also very special. They are ‘fixers’, able to work in chaotic circumstances, and that is highly valued in different industries.” Victor Jordan
In this way, Johan Cruyff Institute continues to establish itself as a key institution in talent development for the eSports industry, contributing to the growth of a professional community that leads innovation and expansion in the sector. With a solid academic foundation and a practical approach, Johan Cruyff Institute remains at the forefront of this industry.
