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GREATER Manchester could lead the way in the $2bn Esports market that's the big ambition a team in Salford which jokes its new lab could become a new Old Trafford or Etihad Stadium of Esports.

Esports, or competitive video gaming, is massive business in the north west and around the world. In May, thousands attended the Rainbow Six Siege Major tournament at the BEC Arena in Trafford Park.

A January report by Market.us suggested the global Esports market was worth $1.93bn in 2023, could reach $2.4bn this year, and could be worth $10.9bn by 2032 as sponsorship keeps growing.

Meanwhile the Esports World Cup is being held in Saudi Arabia this month.

Now the University of Salford's Business School has opened an Esports lab to train the next generation in the skills they need to succeed in and around the industry lain Earle, programme leader for the Esports Business Management course, believes the region is well placed to succeed in this growing industry.

He said: "I really do believe that in Manchester and Salford we could become, certainly for this part of the country, the hub for gaming and Esports. There are already some great facilities. We've got a partner organisation, HOST, which we work with down at Media City.