What does the global audience for esports look like?
Video games are widely known across the world. However, a few decades ago, the term "esports" barely existed. Today, the esports industry has expanded exponentially. The esports industry has evolved beyond simply playing video games.
The esports trend has evolved as technology continues to play an increasingly predominant in our lives. Gaming is no longer confined to our living rooms or basements. Gaming is happening in virtual “rooms.” Players can compete against friends and strangers down the street and across the world, thanks to services such as Xbox Live. Accessibility to gaming has led to an increase in participation. It has also led to the monetization of the gaming industry through subscription services for spectators, sponsorship opportunities, championship events, and prize pools.
The following examples will showcase the global audience for esports.
Shanghai, China
- The International 2019 Championship
- $34,330,069 in Prize Pool
- 18 Teams/90 Players
Paris, France
- League of Legends 2019 World Championship
- $2,225,000 in Prize Pool
- 24 Teams/120 Players
- 106 million Unique Viewers
The global esports industry boasts large revenues. In 2021, global esports revenues grew to $1,084 million, a year-over-year growth of +14.5% from $947 million in 2020. Over 75% of this revenue comes from media rights and sponsorships. This industry is expected to continue to grow over time. In addition to revenue, the live-streaming audience hit 728.8 million views in 2021. Check out the following infographic to discover who is watching esports.
Twitch Usage and Growth Statistics
