In the corridors of the large performance hall, a huge glass vessel on Ile Seguin in Boulogne-Billancourt a few kilometers from Paris, supporters of Vitality and those of Karmine Corp, two of the most popular esports teams of France, are chambered by combats of songs and drums interposed.

"We're going to eat them," smiles Christelle Alexia, 26, a fan of KCorp and League of Legends, an extremely popular PC video game that is played five against five where the objective is to destroy the fortress of opposing team.

The competition is most often played online, but since last year, championship days have been organized face-to-face from time to time.

Accustomed to following the matches in front of her computer, Christelle is one of the approximately 3,500 people who jumped at the opportunity of "LFL day" to come and applaud her favorite gamers in real life.

Reference

"It allows the community to come together, to create something together," she told AFP.

"We can do beautiful things, there are flags, posters, songs. It really creates enthusiasm, it makes things more concrete."

The ten best French League of Legends teams compete on the Seine Musicale stage on July 21, 2021 in Boulogne-Billancourt Christophe ARCHAMBAULT AFP

"Because it's a video game, it's virtual, and the fact of getting together is so good, and it gives scale to the thing," she adds.

For the players too, "it changes a lot of things", says Duncan Marquet, alias "Skeanz", one of the gamers on the Vitality team.

"Because inevitably with the public, you hear the crowd, it's harder to concentrate."

"You hear the audience when they start shouting. What I feel the most is when people stamp their feet, you feel it a lot and you have more pressure," he describes.

"But it also motivates, obviously you want to win more in front of people."

Founded in 2019, the LFL has grown steadily ever since.

Supposed to be a minor regional league, it is gradually establishing itself as a reference in Europe and arousing a fervor worthy of traditional sport.

"Fans are organized like supporters of football clubs," explains Bertrand Amar, head of the esports branch of Webedia, the structure that produces the competition.

"They come in groups, reserve blocks of places in the room, organize trips, parties, it's pretty crazy!"

Growing success

In a boiling but good-natured atmosphere, the spectators howl in front of the exploits on the keyboard of the players of Solary, Team BDS, Gameward or Oplon.

During this time, "Chips" and "Noi", the emblematic commentators of League of legends, shout out loud to make the spectators live the assaults launched against the Dragon or Baron Nashor.

But the most anticipated match is undoubtedly the duel at the end of the evening between Vitality, a historic team in French esports, and Karmine Corp, the new phenomenon.

The confrontation finally turns to the advantage of the players of the Vitality bee team after an amazing final sprint.

The ten best French League of Legends teams compete on the Seine Musicale stage on July 21, 2021 in Boulogne-Billancourt Christophe ARCHAMBAULT AFP

Given the growing success of the league, the organizers plan to mount more and more public events, which are also an opportunity for players to commune with their fans beyond the usual virtual interactions.

"Meeting people who support you, who send you messages, it's nice," says "Skeanz".

"Afterwards, there are more timid players who will stay in their corner and who won't dare to go see the fans, but for me it's something that I like."

"I think it's important for the players," continues Christelle Alexia.

"Because it shows them that there are people behind them to support them."

© 2022 AFP