'UK crowds are the best': Does home advantage make a difference in esports?

Conventional wisdom tells us professional athletes perform best in front of a home crowd. Great Britain's Olympic team won a record medal haul at London 2012 and England's Lionesses won the Euros at Wembley in 2022, 56 years after the men's national football team won the World Cup at home. Does that same home advantage apply in esports? BBC Newsbeat asked four competitors at this weekend's Rocket League Championship Series in Birmingham to find out. Players compete in the popular online game by driving cars around an arena, trying to push an oversized ball into the opposing team's goal. The event brings 16 of the world's top teams together to compete for a prize pot of more than £270,000 ($350,000). While millions watch esports online, most fans say there's nothing like being in the arena with the roar of the crowd. Finlay, 20, from Manchester, says it's one reason UK events stand out in the international calendar. "I think UK crowds are always the best," he says, explaining that they're more creative in their chanting, and make more noise than American spectators. Finlay thinks that could be down to our affection for another sport. "Football's ingrained into UK culture," he says. And, similar to real-life sport, crowds aren't afraid to play favourites. "I think as an English player the crowd will always get behind their own," he says. On top of that, his parents will be coming along to watch too. "It's going to be a good weekend," he says. Joe, from Workington, agrees that having the crowd behind you can help but doesn't feel like it changes that much overall. He agrees with Finley that UK crows are loud and lively, but says he usually blocks most of it out. Esports players compete with over-ear headphones to make sure they get immersive surround sound from the game, and can hear their team-mates. "I just try and lock in and zone out the crowd", says Joe. Joe, who tells Newsbeat he lives "in the middle of nowhere" in north-west England - says travelling to some of the major venues where events happen takes away some of the "home advantage" feeling. Jack, 21, from Derby, has only had to make a short journey for the weekend's tournament. But some of the biggest Rocket League contests are held in the US or South America - meaning a long-haul flight for visiting players. "You're going to be more energised straight away," when you're closer to home, says Jack. "Maybe the other teams are dealing with a bit of jet lag," he says. Esports including Rocket League depend on lightning-fast reflexes and quick thinking, not something you want to do if you're tired. "If you're sleeping badly it can really mess with you," says Jack. "You might not see the screen properly, your eyes might not be reacting properly. "The smallest reaction time differences can make a big difference to winning or losing." Jack says long-distance travel and jet lag - where your body clock needs time to adjust to a new time zone - has caused problems when he's tried to get rest for foreign competitions. "It definitely feels different when you're playing in the UK," he says. Another advantage to playing closer to home is support from friends and family. It's not always possible for competitors to travel further afield with their relatives. Archie says he's looking forward to having his brother and dad cheer him on too. "Most of the time when I'm playing it's just me. My family can't travel because of work," he says. They might get more chances to watch Archie in person. More global competitive gaming competitions are being held in the UK, with players from all around the world flying in to take part. National and local governments are keen to attract big tournaments because of the influx of visitors and cash they bring to local areas. But generally Archie says he doesn't let the crowd change how he plays, and only notices the cheers when his side scores a goal. "You're just trying to win the game - I'm fully locked in," he says. Listen to Newsbeatliveat 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen backhere.