Jessica Clement
Senior research expert covering video games
eSports market - statistics & facts
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The size of the global eSports market is expected to steadily increase up until 2029, reaching a value of over 5.9 billion U.S. dollars within the next few years. However, this revenue growth belies the underlying struggles – since 2023, the eSports scene has been going through the same struggles affecting the wider gaming industry and was particularly impacted by financial challenges caused by slowed investment and reduced sponsorship deals. However, signs are pointing towards an end of the so-called eSports winter, with the rejuvenation of spring hopefully to follow in 2025.
The now-retired Johan Sundstein from Denmark (Faroe Islands), also known as N0tail, still holds the title as the highest earning eSports player worldwide. Having won 4 Majors and 2 Internationals, Sundstein is also the most decorated Dota 2 player of all time. In a market that is very male-dominated, female eSports players still earn considerably less, with Sasha Hostyn, known as Scarlett, having recorded the highest earnings out of any female eSports gamer.
Saudi Arabia, via its Public Investment Fund (PIF) and its subsidiary Savvy Games Group, is heavily investing in the gaming and eSports sectors. These investments, coupled with an industry transformation during the recent lean years and increased mainstream acceptance, could lead the eSports scene to another time of innovation and growth.
Where are the biggest eSports markets?
Revenues within the eSports industry come from betting, prize pools and tournaments, and sponsorship and advertising. As of 2025, the United States was the biggest eSports market worldwide, accounting for revenues of over 1.2 billion U.S. dollars. The industry shows no signs of slowing down within the North American country, as the number of eSports users in the U.S. was forecast to surpass 72 million in 2029. eSports are also particularly popular in East Asia, with China and South Korea being the most prominent eSports markets in the region.What are the most popular eSports games and tournaments?
The most popular eSports titles include multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games like League of Legends, Mobile, Legends, or Dota 2, as well as shooter games such as Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant. In fact, League of Legends was the most watched eSports game worldwide in 2024, racking up over close to 750 million viewing hours combined across the whole year. League of Legends also topped the charts when it came to the most watched eSports tournaments in 2024. The LoL World Championship in that year, which saw eSports organization T1 defend their title against Bilibili Gaming in the grand finale, was watched by a peak audience of 6.91 million viewers.How much money is there to be made in eSports?
Given the immense popularity of games such as these across the world, official eSports tournaments can offer huge jackpots for the best players in the world. The cumulative prize pools for the top eSports game exceeded 20 million U.S. dollars in 2024, offering transformative sums of money to professional gamers. As a result of the increasing money in the market, the top players in the world can make a living from video games, something which would have been almost unthinkable in past decades.The now-retired Johan Sundstein from Denmark (Faroe Islands), also known as N0tail, still holds the title as the highest earning eSports player worldwide. Having won 4 Majors and 2 Internationals, Sundstein is also the most decorated Dota 2 player of all time. In a market that is very male-dominated, female eSports players still earn considerably less, with Sasha Hostyn, known as Scarlett, having recorded the highest earnings out of any female eSports gamer.
Outlook: Olympic Esport Games
Are eSports real sports? The International Olympic Committee seems to think so. In July 2024, the IOC made headlines when it decided to create the Olympic Esport Games, with the inaugural edition to be held in 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), host of the Esports World Cup tournament, will become a co-founder of the Esports Olympic Games. The Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) will also be involved in preparing the Esports Olympic Games.Saudi Arabia, via its Public Investment Fund (PIF) and its subsidiary Savvy Games Group, is heavily investing in the gaming and eSports sectors. These investments, coupled with an industry transformation during the recent lean years and increased mainstream acceptance, could lead the eSports scene to another time of innovation and growth.
Jessica Clement
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Apr 7, 2025
Jessica Clement
Senior research expert covering video games
