Fun Esports Facts And Stats
With eSports being declared a billion dollar industry, it’s become important to take a look at what it’s managed to bring to the public eye. In the past, eSports was deemed to be a small-tier idea that was not going to grow past a few million dollars. However, it has exploded past this number at a record pace and has managed to get stronger without breaking a sweat.
Here are eight of the most important and fun facts or stats to keep in mind when it comes to eSports.
1) 205+ Million Viewers Worldwide
It starts with the number of viewers enjoying various eSports competitions worldwide. According to a recent study completed on the matter, there were over 205+ million viewers across the world at one point for eSports competitions. This number is even larger now as more people get interested. These numbers were accumulated by looking at how many people attended the events and/or watched them online.
There are so many new viewers taking a look at the beauty of eSports because they are able to relate to what’s going on through their personal gaming experiences. It is just like watching a sport and that always intrigues people of all ages.
2) Gamers Recognized As Professional Athletes
The earnings have continued to grow and that means governments need to pinpoint what these gamers are to be designated as. Are they going to be allowed to travel to games without needing continuous verifications? Do they have to declare their earnings in a certain manner?
All of these questions popped up as soon as the earnings started to get larger. As a result, the US government has taken the step to declare these gamers as professional athletes. This means they get the same traveling and taxation rights as a professional athlete would from the NBA, MLB, NHL, or NFL. it’s a clear sign of how the eSports industry is developing.
3) DOTA 2 Tournaments Have Paid 60+ Million in Prizes
When it comes to numbers and earnings, there’s nothing as big as DOTA 2 and what it has managed to do for winners. With over 600 tournaments under its name, DOTA 2 has become a large entity in the world of eSports for professional gamers. These individuals are building large teams that continue to work on their skill to win. According to these tournaments and their reported prize pools, they have handed out over $60 million USD since the tournaments began. This is a staggering number and is only the start for how large these games are becoming.
4) Ginx eSports TV is the First Official eSports Channel
With so much interest on eSports and all that it has to offer, it was only a matter of time before a specialized eSports TV channel was released. In the UK, it is the Ginx eSports TV that has managed to set up a 24-hour channel and is now watched by millions of people.
It tracks all of the ongoing competitions and airs many of them straight on the channel. This is a great way to bring new people to the events and showcase what eSports competitions are all about at their finest.
5) 800+ Million Viewing Hours on Twitch
One of the biggest reasons eSports have continued to grow has to do with streaming platforms such as Twitch. When professional gamers aren’t doing tournaments, they set up Twitch streams that let people watch them play their favorite games. These viewers are able to interact with the gamers, tip them, and even showcase their support throughout the stream. This has become a booming business and is one of the reasons people continue to fall in love with eSports.
As of 2018, Twitch has managed to log 800+ million viewing hours and the daily numbers are getting larger as more gamers join.
6) Highest Earners In the US
With USA, China, and South Korea being at the top of the earnings pool, it is important to take a look at which nation is dominating. As of 2018, USA gamers have managed to earn over 37 million USD. These earnings have been split across a large number of gamers but showcases where the interest lies.
However, many other nations are starting to join in on the fun with many professional gamers coming from Canada, Australia, and other nations around the world. This highlights the potential of eSports and how it has managed to grab the attention of professional gamers hoping to dominate at the highest level.
7) Largest Single Prize Pool of $18 Million USD
Multiple large tournaments have been hosted across the world. Whether it’s in the UK, USA, or Canada, the tournaments are staggeringly large and there are millions of dollars on the line. However, the single largest prize pool was set at $18 million USD and was then split among multiple gamers.
The winning team was able to take home a wonderful $6+ million that was split among five teammates. This showcases what a tournament win is able to provide and why so many gamers are now starting to bring in professional coaches to teach them how to win.
8) Multiple Large Brands Building Gaming Teams
With an eye towards getting out in front of this trend, large companies are quietly building gaming teams, which work together to win tournaments. These gaming teams are being recruited by the likes of Valencia FC and Manchester United to name a few.
These are some of the most interesting facts and stats associated with eSports and all that it stands for. More and more people are starting to fall in love with everything eSports has to offer and what it has managed to deliver in terms of results. As more brands enter the fray, it is going to continue to grow at a rapid pace. Many large name corporations are tossing their names into the ring whether it’s through ownership or building high-grade gaming teams. Each approach is unique but this is a unique market that is only getting stronger.
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