Beyond the esports horizon in sport psychology: an introduction to the Special Issue

Welcome to this special issue in Case Studies in Sport and Exercise Psychology, which focuses on the applied sport psychology practice landscape, within the world of esports. In this prologue, we aim to provide a contextual backdrop regarding the unprecedented growth of esports, elucidate the current status quo of sport psychology practice in the world of esports, and highlight the growing call for case studies to bridge the research–practice gap to better inform practitioners operating in esports. In this prologue, we also provide brief commentaries on the four case studies contained in this special issue, to give readers an insight on what to expect. Finally, in this special issue, we offer an epilogue that shares key reflections from the four case studies, as well as future research and practice opportunities in the exciting world of esports.