Esports, the fusion of online gaming and competitive sports, has undergone a significant transformation into a spectator sport. What was once considered a small niche has emerged as a major player in the sports and entertainment industry, gaining acceptance into mainstream culture. Similar to watching a traditional sports event, fans can now witness video gamers competing against one another in a virtual environment. In 2021, the global esports market was valued at slightly over $1.08 billion, an impressive increase of almost 50 percent from the previous year.
The revenue grows bigger as many bookmakers have started to provide betting on esports like DOTA 2, CS: GO, and League of Legends. Bookies like Betway Sports also provide a lot of betting options like cashouts and live betting, so that punters that want to bet on esports have bigger chance of a win. Over the years Betway Sports managed to fill their gallery with many esports even, mainly because the popularity of the sport has grown rapidly in the past few years. And with that the profession of a gamer has came to the rise, as many young adults have picked this career path. Many esports teams are sponsored by the online gambling company, and you can see the logo of the bookie on many teams nowadays.
Data from Statista reveals that in 2021, esports generated around $243 million in revenue in the U.S. and roughly $360 million in China. To achieve this revenue, the industry relies heavily on fans worldwide. The 2021 League of Legends World Championship Final, which took place in Reykjavik, Iceland, set a new record with 73.86 million peak concurrent viewers, according to Statista. By comparison, the 2021 Super Bowl had 96.4 million viewers. The high number of viewers for the League of Legends World Championship Final was not a one-time occurrence. In fact, according to Athletic Panda Sports Editors in January 2020, more than 443 million people across the globe regularly watch esports tournaments.
League of Legends and Dota 2 dominated as the most-watched video game streams on the platform, with even colleges and universities offering athletic scholarships to esports players.
In 2013, the United States bestowed professional athlete recognition on all esports players, enabling foreign players to enter the country through appropriate visas. This same year witnessed the Season 3 World Championship of League of Legends selling out the Staples Center, attracting over 15,000 fans in attendance, and a staggering 32 million viewers on Twitch.
By 2015, esports in America was rapidly gaining popularity. The founders of Esports Arena launched their first location in Santa Ana, California, a 15,000-square-foot venue capable of hosting more than a thousand players for their events. The facility boasts a professional studio, production rooms, meeting areas, a kitchen, and a bar.
Although traditional esports still reigns supreme, mobile esports are carving out a niche in the market and gaining traction. In numerous regions across the globe, mobile equivalents have surpassed their traditional counterparts, attracting millions of esports enthusiasts.
Thanks to the widespread ownership of smartphones in developed and developing markets, and the low specifications required for mobile games, mobile esports have the potential to flourish. Further advancements in 5G technology will enhance mobile internet connections, ensuring better stability and reliability for esports events.
However, for mobile esports to succeed, a robust and dependable internet connection is imperative.
We can evaluate the top esports players based on the total prize money they have earned throughout their career.
Johan “n0tail” Sundstein from Denmark has the highest earnings out of all the gamers in the world. He mainly plays Dota 2 and serves as a support for his team.
Sundstein’s most notable accomplishments to date have been his victories at The International 2018 and 2019, as well as numerous smaller championships, which have contributed to his impressive $7 million in total prize winnings.
Even if you’re not a fan of the growing world of esports, you can still enjoy highlight reels online. The animated commentators’ coverage of live video game battles is exhilarating. Even if you don’t fully understand the game, it’s difficult not to admire the dedication and passionate commentary. If you delve deeper into esports, you will realize the extensive strategy and preparation involved. Although it’s virtual, the fundamental aspects of sports are present.
