Evaluation of e-sports events within the scope of sports tourism

Electronic sport is a type of sport in which individuals compete through digital games over the internet or side by side. Today, many organizations on e-sports are organized in various countries, and people travel to follow these organizations on-site as a type of sports tourism. The study aims to evaluate these organized travels for e-sports as a touristic product and ensure that Turkey takes its place in the tourism market as an actor. For this purpose, the motivations of individuals to watch e-sports and participate in e-sports events, their expectations from the event, and their purchasing decisions for e-sports package tours were investigated. The data compiled by the survey method were analyzed with percentage frequency analysis, factor analysis, validity and reliability analysis, and effect and difference tests. In addition, the Hayes BK test was conducted to understand whether the expectations of individuals from the event play a mediating role in purchasing e-sports package tours. According to the findings, the primary expectations of the participants from the event were service quality, personnel behaviors, accessibility, security, and extra activities; It has been determined that most of them intend to buy a package tour related to e-sports and that the expectation from the event has a partial mediation effect on the purchasing decision. Considering the research results, it is thought that creating an e-sports package tour will be important for the Turkish tourism market. While preparing the tour, service quality, accessibility, and safety factors should be considered. In addition to the main event, it is recommended to support the content of the tour with side activities. However, it is suggested that policymakers and official institutions related to e-sports should work more carefully and effectively on e-sports. For e-sports to take place in the Turkish tourism market, all stakeholders must take responsibility and emphasize e-sports more frequently.