LUSITANOS LET’S GO! From Banal to Joking Nationalism in Portuguese Esports Spectatorship

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Assuncao, Carina ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9860-6013 (2025) LUSITANOS LET’S GO! From Banal to Joking Nationalism in Portuguese Esports Spectatorship. COG25 conference proceedings, n/a. pp. 1-4. ISSN 2325-4289

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Abstract / Summary

This study examines the role of national identity,
humour, and competition in esports spectatorship, focusing on
Portuguese viewers during the Overwatch World Cup 2023
Qualifiers. Using thematic analysis of Twitch chat and a postmatch
interview, we explore how nationalism manifests in ironic
colonial nostalgia, trash talk, and sportification. Viewers adapted
football culture, invoking Cristiano Ronaldo’s name and demanding
a national anthem moment. Additionally, critiques of
nepotism emerged, highlighting community concerns over team
selection. Findings suggest that esports spectatorship serves as a
space for performative identity negotiation, where historical and
cultural references are repurposed for competitive engagement.
This study contributes to discussions on digital communities,
nationalism in esports, and the intersection of sports culture and
gaming, offering insights into how audiences create meaning in
competitive gaming environments.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Audience , Thematic Analysis , Digital Communication , Historical Reference , Competitive Game , Sports Culture , Team Selection , Narrative , Discourse , Utterances , Playful , Patriotic , Colonial History , Tournament , Small Country , National Team , Digital Space , Online Spaces , Digital Games , Nationalist Sentiments , Traditional Sports , Gaming Community
ISSN: 2325-4289
Subjects: Social Sciences
Department: Games Academy
Depositing User: Carina Assuncao
Date Deposited: 18 Sep 2025 09:51
Last Modified: 18 Sep 2025 09:51
URI: https://repository.falmouth.ac.uk/id/eprint/6109
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