Market Overview

The global esports market size was valued at USD 2.08 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 10.06 Billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 17.05% from 2025 to 2033. The Asia Pacific region dominated in 2024 with a 30.0% market share. Key growth factors include rising internet use, innovations in gaming technology, and increased investments from sponsors and advertisers. Growing Gen Z engagement and events like the Olympic Esports Games are accelerating esports' global adoption.

Study Assumption Years

• Base Year: 2024
• Historical Year/Period: 2019-2024
• Forecast Year/Period: 2025-2033

Esports Market Key Takeaways

• Current Market Size: USD 2.08 Billion in 2024
• CAGR: 17.05% during 2025-2033
• Forecast Period: 2025-2033
• Asia Pacific led the market with a 30.0% share in 2024.
• The US accounted for 86.80% of the North America market share in 2024.
• Advertising and sponsorships generated the highest revenue with a 43.6% market share in 2024.
• First-person shooters were the top-performing game segment in 2024.
• The esports industry is experiencing rapid growth due to increased viewership, participation, and technological advancements.

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Market Growth Factors

The increasing availability of Internet bandwidth and access has been an important factor in the growth of esports. In 2024, about 5.35 billion people are expected to be internet users (66.2% of the global population), a 1.8% increase from 2023, with about 97 million new internet users. 5G broadband networks help achieve instantaneous streaming and lag-free competitive gaming and improve the experience of not only players but spectators.

Digital distribution platforms and streaming services, such as Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Kick, have become more common in esports. These platforms generate communities in real-time, in part due to generations like Gen Z and younger millennials being more active on them. Cloud gaming and mobile esports have also reduced hardware barriers, resulting in higher engagement and faster growth.

Due to large sponsorship and advertising revenues in esports within gaming, the esports capital investment in gaming grew 3.7 times between 2014 and 2024, faster than the growth of total venture investment. With sponsorship deals and partnerships, initiatives like the Olympic Esports Games, and esports being included as a medal event in the 2022 Asian Games, the legitimacy and market visibility of esports have risen globally, and the market size has increased.

Market Segmentation

Revenue Model:

• Media Rights
• Advertising and Sponsorships: Led the market in 2024 with a 43.6% share; brands invest heavily in sponsorships, in-game advertising, and team affiliations to target tech-savvy youth.
• Merchandise and Tickets
• Others

Platform:

• PC-based Esports: Propelled by powerful hardware and high-speed internet, supporting competitive play and live streaming with continuous innovation in peripherals.
• Consoles-based Esports: Benefit from user-friendly, standardized hardware; integration with streaming and social media enhances viewer engagement and monetization.
• Mobile and Tablets: Widespread smartphone/tablet penetration makes gaming accessible; low cost and portability foster casual and competitive play, boosted by technological advancements.

Games:

• Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)
• Player vs Player (PvP)
• First Person Shooters (FPS): Dominated in 2024 due to fast-paced, strategic gameplay with popular titles like Call of Duty and Counter-Strike; ideal for live streaming and sponsorship.
• Real Time Strategy (RTS)

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominated the esports market in 2024, holding a 30.0% market share driven by a large, tech-savvy population, advanced internet infrastructure, mobile gaming popularity, government support, and the presence of major esports companies and tournaments. China and South Korea play significant roles with major esports events such as the 19th Asian Games hosting esports medal competitions and new infrastructure like esports hotels. India’s expanding youth population and game development ecosystem further bolstered regional growth.

Recent Developments & News

• April 2025: FIA introduced the Girls on Track Esports Cup for females aged 16+, in collaboration with Advanced SimRacing and iRacing.
• March 2025: M80 and IMG Academy launched an esports camp in Florida offering pro training for teens in games including Valorant and League of Legends.
• February 2025: The inaugural Olympic Esports Games is planned for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027, reflecting esports' growing global recognition.
• June 2024: PrizePicks launched The Esports Lab, a digital platform linking fantasy sports players and esports.
• May 2024: International Esports Exchange by USEF and Ghost Gaming gave North American esports players a global platform.
• April 2024: SC State partnered with Blaze Fire Games to launch a competitive esports program aimed at student recruitment and retention.
• July 2024: Electronic Arts announced EA SPORTS FC 25, a football game with numerous advancements, to launch on September 27.

Key Players

• Activision Blizzard Inc.
• Capcom Co. Ltd.
• Electronic Arts Inc.
• Epic Games Inc.
• FACEIT
• Gameloft SE (Vivendi SE)
• Gfinity PLC
• Intel Corporation
• Modern Times Group
• Nintendo Co. Ltd.
• NVIDIA Corporation
• Riot Games Inc.
• Valve Corporation
• Zynga Inc.

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