Blockchain esports View Non-AMP

eSports: Just How Big Have They Become?

Published by
Coinpedia

Just several years ago, not too many people knew what exactly eSports were. Right now, the situation is very different, as eSports have entered the mainstream areas of both gaming and traditional sports.

They started humbly, supported and cherished only by gaming enthusiasts who were passionate about sharing the love of playing video games. So, how did eSports come to where they stand today?

The Humble Beginnings of eSports

According to the infographic below created by NJ Games, the first time eSports appeared in the form similar to the present day was in 1980. That year, the Space Invaders Tournament took place, gathering 10,000 contestants.

The next big tournament was the 1997 Quake contest with 2,000 participants. It will be remembered because of the main prize – the 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS.

Fast forward to the present day – the International 2018 DOTA 2 Championship had a $25,5 million prize pool, which is the biggest one so far. Nonetheless, stats show that this is just the beginning of this relatively new industry.

eSports Through the Eyes of Spectators

Just five years ago, the biggest percentage of eSports viewers were video gaming enthusiasts who wanted to learn new skills and enjoy favorite games. However, as the infographic shows, 40% of today’s viewers do not play any of the most popular eSports games. Therefore, it is slowly but surely becoming a spectator sport.

That said, it comes as no surprise that the number of spectators has risen dramatically in the last decade. In 2012, eSports had 134 million viewers. In 2017, that number was 335 million, while in 2021, it is expected to reach 557 million.

Interestingly enough, the majority of viewers are males, but not by a large margin. Of the total number of spectators, 38% are women, which means that we can expect the gap to close further in the future.

Let’s Crunch the Numbers

Another tell-tale sign that eSports has become huge is the continued and exponential revenue growth.

In 2012, the total revenue that eSports brought was only $130 million. In 2017, that number was almost tripled and ended up being $468 million.

If you think that is impressive, consider that the projected revenue for 2021 is $1,385 billion. That’s more than the entire budget of several countries around the world.

In 2018, the total revenue was $906 million, most of which was generated through sponsorships. The next in line was advertising, which was responsible for around 19% of the total revenue, according to the infographic.

These numbers are truly spectacular and breathtaking, but we’re sure that they are just the beginning of what is going to become one of the most fastest-expanding industries in the near future.

To find out why we think that way, check out the infographic below.

Coinpedia

Crypto Journalist and Editor of guest articles in CoinPedia. I am also handling Outreach & Partnerships Manager. Contact me: info@coinpedia.org

Recent Posts

World Liberty Announces Strategic Acquisition of Official Trump ($TRUMP) and the Closure of Trump Meme Wallet

Eric Trump, the Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization, has announced a strategic partnership…

June 7, 2025

Top Layer 2 Tokens Set to Rise Once Ethereum (ETH) Price Reaches $3000

Layer 2 tokens often derive their value from the Ethereum ecosystem, as they rely on…

June 7, 2025

Gemini Takes Step Toward IPO in Confidential Filing: Crypto IPOs Heat Up

Gemini Space Station, Inc., a well established cryptocurrency exchange by the Winklevoss brothers, has filed…

June 7, 2025

What is the Best Cryptocurrency to Invest in Now? Deep Dive into the Top Crypto to Buy Today for 2025 Bull Run

As the crypto market gains momentum heading into mid-2025, investors are wondering what is the…

June 6, 2025

Exabits’ RWA Approach To Tokenized GPU Power Democratises AI Cloud Computing Ownership

The Titans of AI are forging the future. With billions poured into the industry, where…

June 6, 2025

Apertum Designated a Key General Blockchain in Avalanche’s Tier-1 Ecosystem

Apertum has been officially designated as a key general blockchain within the Avalanche ecosystem —…

June 6, 2025