Major corporations are investing in esports sponsorship and branding as the industry grows and attracts a younger demographic, providing a large potential audience for branding and advertising. Companies can engage with esports by sponsoring a team, an event or an individual player, and Red Bull, Coca-Cola and Intel are just some examples of corporations that have already invested. The future of esports sponsorship looks bright with further opportunities in the space provided by new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality.

Esports Sponsorship and Branding: How Major Corporations are Investing in Professional Gaming

The world of esports has grown tremendously in recent years, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch professional gamers compete in a variety of games such as League of Legends, Overwatch, and Fortnite. This growth has led to companies outside of the gaming industry taking notice and investing in esports sponsorships and branding. In this article, we will explore how major corporations are investing in professional gaming.

Why are corporations investing in esports?

Corporations are looking to invest in esports for a variety of reasons. Firstly, esports appeals to a younger demographic, which is highly sought after by many companies. Secondly, esports presents a huge opportunity for branding and advertising. By sponsoring a team or event, companies can reach millions of viewers and potential customers. Finally, esports has a global reach, with tournaments and events being held all over the world, providing companies with access to a global audience.

The types of esports sponsorship and branding

There are several ways in which corporations can get involved in esports sponsorship and branding:

Team sponsorships

One common way that companies get involved in esports is by sponsoring a team. These sponsorships can include financial support, equipment, and other resources. In return, the team will typically display the company’s logo and branding on their jerseys and promotional materials.

Event sponsorships

Companies can also sponsor esports events such as tournaments or competitions. These sponsorships can include naming rights, branding on signage and promotional materials, and more. Event sponsorship is an excellent way for companies to get their brand in front of a large audience and associate themselves with the excitement and energy of esports.

Player sponsorships

Another way that companies can get involved in esports is by sponsoring individual players. These sponsorships can include financial support, equipment, and promotional materials. Player sponsorships are similar to traditional athlete sponsorships and can help companies reach a younger demographic who may not be interested in traditional sports.

Examples of corporations investing in esports

There are several examples of major corporations investing in esports:

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola has been involved in esports since 2013 when they sponsored the League of Legends World Championship. Since then, they have continued to sponsor events such as the Overwatch League and the FIFA eWorld Cup. Coca-Cola also sponsors several esports teams and players.

Intel

Intel has been involved in esports since the early days of competitive gaming. They sponsor several esports events such as the Intel Extreme Masters and the Intel Grand Slam. Intel also sponsors several esports teams and players.

Red Bull

Red Bull has been involved in esports since 2008 when they sponsored the Street Fighter IV world championship. Since then, they have continued to sponsor events such as the Red Bull Solo Q and the Red Bull Kumite. Red Bull also sponsors several esports teams and players.

The future of esports sponsorship and branding

The future of esports sponsorship and branding looks bright. As the esports industry continues to grow, more and more companies are likely to get involved. In addition, new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality could provide even more opportunities for branding and advertising in the esports space.

Conclusion

Esports sponsorship and branding are becoming increasingly important for major corporations. By investing in esports, companies can reach a younger, global audience and associate themselves with the excitement and energy of professional gaming. As the esports industry continues to grow, we can expect to see even more companies getting involved in sponsorship and branding opportunities.