The global esports economy reached $696 million in 2017, marking a 41.3% year-on-year growth with a projected revenue of $1.488 billion by 2020.
02
Sponsorship is currently the largest revenue stream at $266.3 million, while media rights are the fastest-growing segment and are projected to reach $340 million by 2020.
03
The global esports audience totaled 385.5 million viewers in 2017, split almost evenly between 191 million dedicated enthusiasts and 194 million occasional viewers.
04
The industry is experiencing a strategic convergence of gaming, media, and traditional sports, evidenced by the entry of major media conglomerates and the adoption of esports by traditional sports leagues like FIFA.
05
While most game publishers are not yet generating profit from esports, they continue to invest to drive higher game engagement and develop the sector as a long-term standalone business.
06
The market analysis excludes revenue from betting, fantasy leagues, and in-game transactions to focus exclusively on the professionalized esports economy.
Insights
01
The global esports economy reached $696 million in 2017, marking a 41.3% year-on-year growth with a projected revenue of $1.488 billion by 2020.
02
Sponsorship is currently the largest revenue stream at $266.3 million, while media rights are the fastest-growing segment and are projected to reach $340 million by 2020.
03
The global esports audience totaled 385.5 million viewers in 2017, split almost evenly between 191 million dedicated enthusiasts and 194 million occasional viewers.
04
The industry is experiencing a strategic convergence of gaming, media, and traditional sports, evidenced by the entry of major media conglomerates and the adoption of esports by traditional sports leagues like FIFA.
05
While most game publishers are not yet generating profit from esports, they continue to invest to drive higher game engagement and develop the sector as a long-term standalone business.
06
The market analysis excludes revenue from betting, fantasy leagues, and in-game transactions to focus exclusively on the professionalized esports economy.