The future of virtual sport starts here: Inside Japan's new HPSC ESPORTS LAB

For years, sport and eSports have often been viewed as separate worlds: one physical, the other digital. That divide is disappearing.

Technology is changing the way people train, compete, and find new sports, from virtual rowing and cycling to online fitness platforms. Now, instead of asking if physical activity and eSports should be combined, the focus is on how they can work together to help people live healthier, more active lives.

Rowing has been ahead of that curve for decades.

World Rowing, together with its long-time global partner Concept2, has supported connected indoor rowing for years, even before the term “virtual sport” was widely used. Today, the sport remains a leader, with events such as the World Rowing Indoor Championships, World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships, and year-round online competitions that bring people together from around the world.

This commitment to the power of partnerships and to celebrating innovation is being carried forward with the launch of the HPSC ESPORTS LAB in Tokyo.

Established by the Japan Sport Council (JSC) at the Japan High Performance Sport Center (HPSC), the new research hub will explore the intersection of esports, virtual sport and athlete well-being, bringing together experts in sport science, medicine and technology to better understand human performance in both physical and digital environments.

As an international research partner, World Rowing will work alongside JSC and HPSC to advance research into virtual rowing and help shape the future of virtual sport.

“Rowing has always embraced innovation when it helps more people experience our sport,” said World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland.

“For more than 40 years, rowing has shown how technology can encourage physical activity, connect communities and create meaningful competition beyond traditional venues. The HPSC ESPORTS LAB is an exciting opportunity to build on that legacy through research, ensuring the future of virtual sport is grounded in science, inclusion and the values of sport.”

The Science Shaping the Future of Virtual Sport

The HPSC ESPORTS LAB focuses on three main areas: esports, virtual sports (including virtual rowing), and athlete well-being.

Researchers will use tools such as eye-tracking, heart rate monitors, EEG, and thermography to study performance, recovery, and athletes’ health. They will also develop support programs based on their findings.

The Lab will work with universities, research centers, and industry partners to improve high-performance sport. It also aims to share its findings with society, in line with the HPSC idea of ” From High Performance to Life Performance.”

“The HPSC ESPORTS LAB reflects our commitment to exploring the future of sport through the integration of science and innovation,” said ASHIDATE Satoshi, President and CEO of the Japan Sport Council.

“By bringing together expertise in esports, virtual sports and athlete well-being, we hope to create knowledge that supports athletes while encouraging healthier and more active communities. We are delighted to continue working with World Rowing as we shape this future together.”

A Partnership That Drives Innovation

The Lab builds on a growing partnership between World Rowing and the Japan Sport Council that has helped establish both organisations as leaders in the development of virtual sport.

Since 2024, they have co-hosted the annual Virtual Sports Forum, which brings together international federations, researchers, technology companies, and innovators to discuss the future of digital sport. This year, the event expanded globally with Virtual Sports Forum Plus at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, where World Rowing is based.

The HPSC ESPORTS LAB now gives this partnership a permanent home. It supports research into virtual rowing and explores how virtual sport can encourage participation, improve performance, and make sport more accessible.

The main idea behind the new facility is clear: physical sport and eSports do not need to compete. With support from science and smart innovation, they can help each other, leading to healthier athletes, stronger communities, and more chances for everyone to enjoy sport.

More Information

To find out more about Japan’s new HPSC ESPORTS LAB, visit here.