In a packed arena in Seoul, fans wave glowsticks and chant player names like they would for rock stars. But these athletes wield keyboards, not cleats. Welcome to the world of esports, a global phenomenon that has transformed competitive gaming into a billion-dollar industry with fans, brands, and broadcasters all...

The eSports market has boomed in recent years with more and more viewers tuning in to watch their favorite games being played by some of the best gamers in the world. Players can compete against each other, individually or in teams, in multiplayer video game tournaments across the world. According to a 2023 report, the value of the eSports market worldwide is expected to grow from 1.64 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 to over 4.8 billion U.S. dollars by 2030.

eSports market projection says that global sales will increase from USD 3.7 billion in 2025 to USD 25.4 billion in 2035, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.1%.

Attributes	Key Insights
Industry Size (2025E)	USD 3.7 billion
Industry Size (2035F)	USD 25.4 billion
CAGR (2025 to 2035)	21.1%

Analyzing eSports market by Top Investment Segments

Game Genre Segment	Market Share
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)	28.7%

Platform Segment	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
Mobile eSports	27.6%

Revenue Stream Segment	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
Sponsorships & Advertising	20.9%

Trend Analysis and Purchasing Criteria across Different End Use Segment

Company	Contract Value (USA USD Million)
Adidas and Esports World Cup Foundation	10 - 15
Pepsi and Esports World Cup	12 - 18
LG UltraGear and Esports World Cup	8 - 12
Porsche and ESL FACEIT Group	5 - 10
Rolling Stone and ESL FACEIT Group	6 - 9
MOONTON Games and Qiddiya	10 - 14
BLAST and Revolut	7 - 10
LEC and Marriott Bonvoy	8 - 12
PGL and Oddin.gg	6 - 10
Jaguar Land Rover and JD Gaming	9 - 13

Country-wise Insights

Country	Value CAGR (2025 to 2035)
USA	20.3%
Germany	21.0%
China	24.3%
India	26.7%
Saudi Arabia	25.2%

The global esports market size was valued at USD 2.08 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 10.06 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 17.05% during 2025-2033. Asia-Pacific currently dominates the market, holding a significant market share of over 30.0% in 2024. The market is primarily driven by rising internet penetration, significant innovations in gaming technology, increasing popularity of live-streaming platforms, and favorable investments from sponsors and advertisers.

Report Attribute	Key Statistics
Base Year	2024
Forecast Years	2025-2033
Historical Years	2019-2024
Market Size in 2024	USD 2.08 Billion
Market Forecast in 2033	USD 10.06 Billion
Market Growth Rate 2025-2033	17.05%

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global esports market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country levels from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on revenue model, platform and games.

The eSports market has boomed in recent years, in no small part thanks to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which forced people to look for alternative sources of entertainment during the large-scale cancelation of global sporting events. The global eSports market is generally quite fragmented, with several large media and gaming companies holding significant stakes in the industry. The Activision Blizzard Inc., known for games such as Overwatch and the Call of Duty series, held an estimated 21.85 percent share of the market in 2021.

The global esports market size is expected to grow from USD 1,703.64 million in 2023 to USD 8,594.60 million by 2032, at a CAGR of 19.70% from 2024-2032

The global esports market size was USD 2.13 billion in 2024 & is projected to grow from USD 2.60 billion in 2025 to USD 12.68 billion by 2033.
Report Scope:

Report Metric	Details
Market Size in 2024	USD 2.13 Billion
Market Size in 2025	USD 2.60 Billion
Market Size in 2033	USD 12.68 Billion
CAGR	21.9% (2025-2033)
Base Year for Estimation	2024
Historical Data	2021-2023
Forecast Period	2025-2033
Report Coverage	Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, Environment & Regulatory Landscape and Trends
Segments Covered	By Revenue Model,By Streaming Platform,By Device Type,By Gaming Genre,By Region.
Geographies Covered	North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM,
Countries Covered	U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Russia, Nordic, Benelux, China, Korea, Japan, India, Australia, Taiwan, South East Asia, UAE, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia,

BCC Research Market Report for Esports Market. The global market reached $1.3 billion in 2022 and should reach $3 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 17.5%.

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Esports Market Size 2025-2029

The esports market size is forecast to increase by USD 4.34 billion at a CAGR of 21.2% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing brand engagement and the surge in esports betting. Brands are recognizing the value of esports as a powerful marketing tool to reach the coveted millennial and Gen Z demographics. Sports events offer unique opportunities for brand activation and fan engagement, with sponsorships, product placements, and team collaborations becoming increasingly common. Additionally, the global esports betting market is projected to reach substantial growth, fueled by the rise in popularity of esports and the increasing legalization of online gambling. However, the market also faces challenges, including the escalating costs of game development and the need for standardized regulations to ensure ethical business practices.
Game developers are under pressure to continuously release new titles and updates to maintain player engagement and stay competitive, driving up development costs. Regulations surrounding esports betting vary widely across jurisdictions, creating complexities for businesses operating in multiple markets. Companies seeking to capitalize on the market's opportunities must navigate these challenges effectively, focusing on innovation, cost management, and regulatory compliance.

What will be the Size of the Esports Market during the forecast period?

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The market continues to evolve, with dynamic interactions between various sectors shaping its growth and development. Esports demographics expand as new audiences discover the excitement of competitive gaming, leading to increased esports participation and engagement. Esports media outlets adapt to cater to this growing audience, providing comprehensive coverage of esports events, trends, and player profiles. Esports development is driven by innovative strategies and infrastructure, enabling the creation of immersive gaming experiences and advanced training facilities. Esports management teams leverage technology to optimize operations and enhance fan experiences, while esports ecosystems foster collaboration and growth across the industry.
Esports trends emerge and evolve, with a focus on sustainability, accessibility, and ethical practices. Esports franchises and teams form strategic partnerships, while esports content and platforms monetize their offerings through various revenue streams, including advertising, sponsorships, merchandise sales, and analytics. Esports governance and regulations aim to ensure fair play and ethical conduct, while esports betting and disruption introduce new challenges and opportunities for innovation. Esports education and talent development programs foster the next generation of gaming professionals, ensuring the continued growth and vitality of the esports industry.

How is this Esports Industry segmented?

The esports industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Revenue Stream

  Sponsorships
  Media rights
  Publisher fees
  Advertising
  Merchandise and ticket sales


Genre

  MOBA
  FPS
  RTS
  Others


Device

  Smart phone and smart TV
  Gaming console
  Desktop / laptop / tablets


Audience Type

  Players
  Spectators
  Casual Gamers


Event Type

  Tournaments
  Exhibitions
  Online-Only
  LAN


Platform

  PC-Specific
  Console-Specific
  Mobile-Specific


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Italy
    Spain
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    UAE


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  South America

    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Revenue Stream Insights

The sponsorships segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

Esports, a dynamic and evolving industry, encompasses various entities that fuel its growth and engagement. Training programs hone the skills of esports athletes, ensuring they remain at the top of their game. Regulations and ethics establish a fair and competitive environment, while broadcasting platforms deliver immersive experiences to a global audience. Esports strategies and marketing tactics attract sponsors, who invest in teams, franchises, and events to reach the highly engaged demographic. Esports infrastructure, including arenas and studios, provides the necessary resources for players and teams to thrive. Sustainability initiatives and betting regulations ensure the industry's long-term viability.

Esports communities foster a sense of belonging and passion among fans, driving participation and merchandise sales. Esports content and platforms offer endless opportuni

The eSports industry has experienced a significant boom in recent years, no doubt helped by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 which forced the cancelation of many sporting events and traditional sports leagues. eSports are increasingly being seen as a legitimate professional sport, causing the sports industry to take notice and engage with the emerging market. During an August 2020 survey among sports industry leaders worldwide, some ** percent confirmed that their organization had already engaged with the eSports industry.

The global esports market is booming, projected to reach $7.8B by 2033, fueled by rising viewership, mobile gaming, and major investments. Discover key trends, challenges, and leading companies shaping the future of competitive gaming.

Gaming Market is Segmented by Gaming Platform (Mobile Games, PC Games (Downloaded/Box & Browser), Console Games, and More), by Revenue Model (Free-To-Play (F2P), Pay-To-Play / Premium and More), by Genre (Action/Adventure, Shooter and Battle Royale and More) and Geography. The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

E-Sports Market is Segmented by Revenue Model (Media Rights, Advertising and Sponsorship, and More), Streaming Platform (Twitch, Youtube Gaming, and More), by Device Type (PC, Mobile/Handheld, Console), Game Genre (MOBA, First-Person Shooter (FPS) and More), and Geography. The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

The eSports industry has become an increasingly significant part of the entertainment sector in recent years. Players can compete against each other, individually or in teams, in a multiplayer video game tournaments across the world. In a survey conducted in April 2023, around 16 percent of respondents aged 35 to 44 were avid fans of eSports in the United States.

The global eSports market size is expected to expand from USD 3.64 billion in 2025 to USD 37.3 billion by 2035, with CAGR growth exceeding 26.2%. Companies at the forefront of the industry include Tencent, Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Valve, with strong portfolios and strategic initiatives.

global esports market size was valued at $1,469.32 Mn in 2022 and is predicted to grow to $6,802.17 Mn by 2030 at a CAGR of 21.11% between 2023 and 2030.

Esports market was valued at USD 1.81 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.88 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 22.21%.

The eSports market has boomed in recent years with more and more viewers tuning in to watch their favorite games being played by some of the best gamers in the world. By 2025, there are expected to be over 318 million eSports enthusiasts worldwide, a significant increase from the 215.2 million in 2020. Additionally, some 322.7 million people are forecast to be occasional viewers of eSports by 2025.

Leading eSports tournaments The most watched eSports event of all time is the 2021 Free Fire World Series, a Garena Free Fire tournament hosted by Singapore. With millions of viewers tuning in to watch expert gamers battle it out, it is unsurprising that large sums of money are at stake. The International 2021, which was the tenth edition of the annual DOTA 2 world championship, had a combined prize pool of over 40 million U.S. dollars. In addition, the cumulative prize pool for DOTA 2 tournaments around the world in 2021 stood at a huge 47.8 million U.S. dollars.

Though uptake of esports in the United Kingdom has been slow, it is beginning to accelerate. We've looked at what the industry can do to help it grow further.

The eSports market in Japan was valued at about **** billion Japanese yen in 2023. While the growth was somewhat stunted in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the market grew more strongly in 2022 and was expected to reach a size of almost ** billion yen by 2025. Makeup of the market A breakdown of the revenue by category shows that event management, sponsorships, and media rights are the largest revenue streams for the Japanese eSports market. Other categories are streaming, tickets, merchandise, licensing, and prizes. The high revenue share of event management, sponsorships, and media rights indicates the importance eSports viewers have for the market. A majority of people in Japan are aware of eSports, and the eSports audience is expected to grow in the coming years. Comparatively slow development of eSports in Japan Although Japan is one of largest gaming markets in the world and home to many important video game companies, such as Sony, Nintendo, Bandai Namco, and Square Enix, the development of eSports has been slow compared to other countries in the region, such as South Korea and China. Next to legal hurdles that capped the prize money people could win at competitions, one big factor are the preferences of consumers in Japan, which tend to be more in favor of mobile gaming and console gaming. PC gaming, which is the focal point of the international eSports scene, enjoys a lower popularity in Japan.