eSports is big, big business. While there’s still a grand ol’ debate over whether or not eSports can even be considered a sport – but there’s no deny the impact that competitive videogaming has had. It’s become a multi-million dollar industry, with a 134 million-strong viewership that generates $612 million in revenue.
That’s according to the lovely chaps at Superdata, who’ve put together some pretty big numbers regarding the eSports industry. As you’d expect – being the frontrunners where eSports are concerned – the largest slice of the pie belongs to Asians, who grab $374 million of the global share. The West is slowly catching up though. As it stands, North America accounts for $143 million, Europe for $73 million and the rest of the world much less with $24 million. Africa? Roughly nothing. But hey! We’re trying, right?
“North America and Europe have recently seen a tremendous rise in the number of people who watch eSports online and attend live tournaments,” Superdata says. “Popular digital game titles like DotA 2 and League of Legends enjoy a massive audience that regularly watches or participates in competitions. The emergence of competitive gaming presents publishers with a new avenue to extend the user experience and allows brands to engage a generation of consumers that spend little time with traditional forms of entertainment.”
eSports is big – and will only continue to grow – though as it stands now, eSports is more of a marketing and awareness driver than one of pure profit.
You can read the report here, but here are the important points, in handy-dandy bullet-point form:
- Korea and China continue to dominate $612M global eSports market. The ongoing investment in N. America and Europe by digital-only publishers drives overall growth and audience expansion.
- The global eSports audience is 134 million strong and growing. Investment in innovative business models, platforms and derivative businesses further spurs growth in competitive gaming.
- Competitive gaming is a marketing strategy, not a revenue driver. In addition to traditional marketing efforts, organizing events and streaming content improves awareness and retention.
- Thirteen percent (13%) of live-stream viewers watch eSports. Almost half of eSports viewers in the U.S. use Twitch.tv, the world’s largest live streaming site for game content. Roughly half of eSports viewers participate in some type of competitive gaming, mostly online through platforms.
- Corporate sponsorships total $111 million in North America (2015E). Brand owners and advertisers are expected to adapt to emergent forms of entertainment, which will grow sponsorship deals across the segment.
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Last Updated: May 7, 2015
Blood Emperor Trevor
May 7, 2015 at 12:02
That’s a lot of money for a hobby.
RinceThis
May 7, 2015 at 12:27
OH YOU! Where is OvG? 🙂
Blood Emperor Trevor
May 7, 2015 at 12:48
No idea. So I’m forced to live up to his example in my own small way.
RinceThis
May 7, 2015 at 12:56
Ahh. For a second there I thought you were about to say chess isn’t a sport either *RUNS
Blood Emperor Trevor
May 7, 2015 at 13:01
Wouldn’t dream of it ;P
RinceThis
May 7, 2015 at 13:17
I told Will what we watched and our thoughts on it… He screamed NOOB MOTHA FUKING DIX! before crying into his hands…
Blood Emperor Trevor
May 7, 2015 at 13:24
So he recognised the truth at last? Good.
RinceThis
May 7, 2015 at 13:32
Sadly, NO 🙁
Emily Johnson
May 7, 2015 at 17:31
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ReaperOfSquirrels
May 7, 2015 at 12:29
It’s not just a hobby for some people.
RinceThis
May 7, 2015 at 12:39
Don’t get him started 0_O
ReaperOfSquirrels
May 7, 2015 at 13:08
But…. But… Ok 🙁
Pariah
May 7, 2015 at 12:04
I really love how big esports is getting. It’s awesome, but it’s a pity for some of us older gamers who can’t really make a career from playing the games any more. Other avenues will pop up I think, but it’s getting more and more possible to make a career from gaming now, and not just in the development side of things.
Love the way its going. 😀
Lord Chaos
May 7, 2015 at 13:56
That’s what retirement is for.
Daryl Joseph Ducharme
May 7, 2015 at 18:16
You could always make games.
Witcher Bob
May 7, 2015 at 12:09
But know, if you make a certain ESPN presenter cover esports then he’ll just quit because, really, these guys should go back to their mother’s basements.
Hammersteyn
May 7, 2015 at 12:10
I think that presenter still lives with his mom in her basement and he’s all salty because he could never play online with the cool kids. Just my theory
Admiral Chief
May 7, 2015 at 12:11
I second your theory
Witcher Bob
May 7, 2015 at 12:12
Maybe, at least that would account for his “insightful” comments into esports.
MaryFHuffman
May 7, 2015 at 19:15
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Hammersteyn
May 7, 2015 at 12:10
The numbers don’t lie.
Admiral Chief
May 7, 2015 at 12:11
Stupid Africa XD
Hammersteyn
May 7, 2015 at 12:12
Poor Matty….. We have no sperts 🙁
Chule Gcanga
May 7, 2015 at 12:20
Africa? what’s going on, something needs to be done.
Admiral Chief
May 7, 2015 at 12:24
“Africa? Roughly nothing. But hey! We’re trying, right?”
Hammersteyn
May 7, 2015 at 12:24
MSSA…….
Admiral Chief
May 7, 2015 at 12:25
Stop swearing!
Witcher Bob
May 7, 2015 at 12:33
The MSSA (Multiple Sclerosis South Africa) does fantastic work raising awareness about that horrible disorder. They should be praised more.
Hammersteyn
May 7, 2015 at 12:33
BWAHAHAHA!
Brady miaau
May 7, 2015 at 13:18
South Africa only. In the name.
justlikemo
May 7, 2015 at 12:26
You made a mistake Geoff, your pic says $374 million for asia and your article states:
” ….. Korea and China continue to dominate $612M global eSports market. …..”
Hammersteyn
May 7, 2015 at 12:29
continue to dominate “the” $612M global eSports market?
justlikemo
May 7, 2015 at 12:29
sorry, no spreka de englis,
my baddd
Hammersteyn
May 7, 2015 at 12:30
At least he has all his zeros sorted.
justlikemo
May 7, 2015 at 12:30
yes, didnt pull a Zuma on us.
justlikemo
May 7, 2015 at 12:32
how the earth are you upvoting me so fast, you have F5 built into your mouseover or something?
Hammersteyn
May 7, 2015 at 12:32
practice
Hammersteyn
May 7, 2015 at 12:32
practice
Admiral Chief
May 7, 2015 at 12:34
He is a disqusting bot
Hammersteyn
May 7, 2015 at 12:35
Wait, I should downvote that………Must……..click………..dammit…….I cant
Thats_how_I_Troll
May 7, 2015 at 12:46
Some questions are better left unanswered…. o_O
justlikemo
May 7, 2015 at 12:32
how the earth are you upvoting me so fast, you have F5 built into your mouseover or something?
Geoffrey Tim
May 7, 2015 at 12:48
The entire market is 612M, Asia dominates it with 374M.
justlikemo
May 7, 2015 at 12:39
Love it man. Africa is considered as emerging markets, but don’t worry they will always put us on European or Asian Markets. Soon we will have a strong base, with the help of sponsors like Telkom (dogaming). We will grow to a force to be reckoned with.
Tbone187
May 7, 2015 at 16:21
Hows about a link to the Esports viewing channel?