Esports tournaments are gaining momentum in the gaming industry, with multi-million-dollar prize pools, major brand sponsorships, and an expanding fan base. The global gaming industry is predicted to generate $152.1bn in revenue in 2019, with $36.9bn coming from esports, a 15% YoY increase from 2018. Esports tournaments are the most-watched events in the world, peaking at 205 million viewers for the League of Legends World Championship, and the total prize money for esports tournaments is expected to reach $211m in 2019. Major brands such as Coca-Cola, Intel, and Nike are official sponsors of esports, and traditional sports franchises are investing in esports leagues to create greater opportunities for players and sponsors alike. The global esports market is set to reach $1.1bn in revenue by 2020.
The Growing Popularity of Esports Tournaments: A Look into the Numbers
Esports tournaments have been gaining momentum in the gaming world over the past few years. With multi-million-dollar prize pools, sponsorships from major brands, and a growing fan base, esports has become a significant industry that’s here to stay.
The Global Esports Market
The rise of esports has been fueled by the massive growth of the global gaming industry. According to a report by Newzoo, the global gaming market is expected to generate $152.1 billion in revenue in 2019. Of this, $36.9 billion is expected to come from esports, representing a 15% increase from 2018. With more than 2.2 billion gamers worldwide, esports is quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of entertainment.
The Popularity of Esports Tournaments
In recent years, esports tournaments have become some of the most-watched events in the world, attracting millions of viewers both online and offline. In 2018, the League of Legends World Championship was watched by a peak of 205 million viewers, making it the most-watched esports event of all time. Other popular tournaments such as Dota 2’s The International and the Overwatch League Grand Finals have also seen record-breaking viewership numbers.
The Size of Esports Prize Pools
One of the most significant factors fueling the growth of esports tournaments is the size of the prize pools. In 2019, the total prize money for esports tournaments is expected to reach $211 million, with some individual tournaments offering prize pools of over $30 million. The Dota 2 tournament “The International” has consistently offered the largest prize pool in esports history, with the 2018 event offering a $25 million prize pool.
Sponsorship and Investment in Esports
As esports continues to grow, major brands and investors are taking notice. Companies such as Coca-Cola, Intel, and Nike have become official sponsors of esports events and teams, while major sports franchises such as the NBA and NFL are making significant investments in esports leagues. The Overwatch League, for example, has seen investment from traditional sports owners such as Robert Kraft, owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots, and Stan Kroenke, owner of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams.
The Future of Esports Tournaments
With the continued growth of the gaming industry, esports tournaments are expected to become even more popular in the coming years. Newzoo projects that the global esports market will reach $1.1 billion in revenue by 2020, with the majority of this coming from sponsorships and advertising. Additionally, more traditional sports franchises are expected to invest in esports, creating new leagues and opportunities for players and fans alike.
Conclusion
The growth of esports tournaments has been nothing short of extraordinary. With massive prize pools, record-breaking viewership numbers, and growth in sponsorship and investment, esports is quickly becoming a significant industry that’s here to stay. As the gaming industry continues to grow, esports tournaments are expected to become even more popular, attracting new fans, sponsors, and investment. We can expect esports tournaments to continue to evolve and grow in the coming years, creating new opportunities and experiences for both players and fans alike.