Twenty years ago, if you told someone that you wanted to switch from watching a football game to watching someone play video games, they would have called you crazy. However, times have changed. Gaming enthusiasts have shifted their preferences toward watching competitions, making esports viewership rival that of traditional sporting events.
With the potential to outpace sports audiences within the next decade, esports has become a wake-up call for sports clubs to evolve with their younger audiences’ times and tastes. Video games are no longer considered just a hobby, but rather a viable career path for competitive play along with being a massive industry.
Despite the fact that there is still much ground to cover to catch up to traditional sports in terms of viewership and interest, the shift in focus towards esports content is now compelling traditional sports organizations to engage the esports audience by developing new and innovative ventures to attract fandom.
All because of passion!
Esports has managed to reach its current status because of the passionate community that stands behind it. It is a phenomenon created by its fanbase, proud to call themselves gamers and fans!
What started in small venues with just a few dozen or a few hundred people has the potential to fill even the biggest stadiums and venues today, such as the Beijing National Stadium, The Staples Center, and Incheon Stadium, hosting events in front of packed arenas.
Credit: MLBB Esports
It is worth noting the massive online views that esports events achieve. The record breakers in the year 2023 were:
- M5 World Championship in Mobile Legends with a peak viewership of 5.06 million viewers.
- The 2023 League of Legends World Championship with a peak viewership of 6.4 million viewers.
Notable big viewership events from previous years include:
- Free Fire World Series 2021 Singapore, achieving an incredible 5.41 million concurrent viewers across various platforms.
- 2021 League of Legends World Championship with a peak viewership of 4.01 million.
- PUBG Mobile Global Championship Season 0 with an impressive 3.8 million peak viewership.
These impressive numbers do not even include China, highlighting the broad international appeal of esports, covering a wide spectrum of gaming genres to attract a diverse audience.
Esports is an inclusive community open to anyone with the passion and dedication to games, regardless of their background or gender.
Esports news is now a separate category, and over 50 countries including South Korea, China, Denmark, and Russia have officially recognized esports as a sport.
Sports Fans with Controllers
Esports may be a misunderstood phenomenon, but it is unique in offering accessibility to both external audiences and hardcore gamers. It caters to a diverse audience with its variety of gaming genres, providing opportunities for everyone to participate, including men, women, and other gender identities.
Mobile Games Esports peak viewership numbers for 2023 – Data Source: Esports Charts
Putting the “Sports” in “Esports”
Esports requires mental and physical exertion similar to traditional sports, emphasizing the importance of preparation and skill. The stereotype of the overweight gamer is long gone, as esports organizations prioritize the overall well-being of players, both physically and mentally.
Encompassing a wide spectrum of sponsors beyond gaming-related companies, major brands are recognizing the potential of esports and sponsoring various esports organizations to promote their brands.
KitKat just renewed their partnership for League of Legends in Europe for another 3-years until 2027
Esports vs Sports viewership into the future
Global esports revenues are projected to grow significantly by 2030, outpacing entire sports industries and transforming how traditional sports are consumed. With predictions for peak viewership numbers exceeding 7 million, esports will continue to make a significant impact on the sports industry.
