Esports has quickly become a worldwide sensation, attracting millions of fans and generating billions in revenue. In 2025, it’s estimated that the global esports audience will exceed 640.8 million, with 318.1 million dedicated fans and 322.7 million occasional viewers.
The Asia-Pacific region is at the forefront, accounting for over 57% of the global esports audience, with China and the Philippines alone making up 40% of the fanbase.
These numbers show just how far esports has come, evolving from a niche activity into a mainstream sport. In this article, we will go through the latest esports statistics, covering everything from user numbers and viewership to market size and beyond.
Esports Statistics 2025: Key Insights
- The global esports audience is expected to reach 640.8 million by 2025.
- Occasional viewers are estimated to hit 322.7 million, while dedicated fans will number around 318.1 million.
- There are currently 3,530 active esports players in the U.S.
- The Asia-Pacific region accounts for over 57% of global esports viewers.
- China and the Philippines contribute 40% of the total esports fanbase.
- The global esports market is valued at $2.89 billion.
- The U.S. esports market is worth $1.07 billion.
Esports Viewers Statistics
The number of viewers who follow Esports on a regular basis and those who watch occasionally are different. With many popular players entering competitive gaming, the Esports gaming industry has experienced a hike in viewers and sponsors.
How Many People Watch Esports?
The global esports audience is expected to exceed 640.8 million in 2025.
The worldwide spread of gaming and better streaming options have led to more people joining the esports community. In 2020, there were about 435.7 million viewers, and by 2022, that number had jumped to 532.1 million.
With esports becoming even more popular, the audience is set to keep growing, reaching over 640.8 million viewers globally by 2025.
Here is a table showing the number of global Esports viewers by year:
| Year | eSports Viewers |
|---|---|
| 2025* | 640.8 million |
| 2022 | 532.1 million |
| 2021 | 489.5 million |
| 2020 | 435.7 million |
Source: Statista
An Estimated 318.1 Million People Will Watch Esports Regularly in 2025
With more established gamers joining the esports scene, their fan bases are expanding, and fans are actively supporting their favorite influencers.
Esports has become a mainstream sport, with 261.2 million fanatics and 270.9 million occasional viewers in 2022.
Viewership has steadily grown over the years, and it’s estimated that by 2025, there will be over 322.5 million occasional viewers and 318.1 million dedicated esports fans.
Here is a table with the number of occasional and fanatic Esports viewers over the past few years:
| Year | Occasional Viewers | Fanatics/Regular Viewers |
|---|---|---|
| 2025* | 322.7 million | 318.1 million |
| 2022 | 270.9 million | 261.2 million |
| 2021 | 249.5 million | 240 million |
| 2020 | 220.5 million | 215.2 million |
Source: Statista
Asia Pacific Has Over 57% Of The Total Esports Viewers
With over 1.5 billion gamers from Asia, it is inevitable that the majority of Esports fans come from the region.
Because of major gaming countries in Asia, such as Indonesia and China, esports viewership is high (57%), accounting for the biggest share of Esports viewers worldwide.
The United States registered around 45 million Esports viewers in 2023.
Europe comes next with around 16% of the global share of Esports viewers.
Here is a table with global Esports viewers share by region:
| Region | Viewer Percentage |
|---|---|
| Asia Pacific | 57% |
| Europe | 16% |
| North America | 12% |
| Rest of the world | 15% |
Source: Statista
With 6.4 Million Peak Viewers, League Of Legends Championship 2023 Was The Most-Watched Tournament
This was the highest peak viewers recorded to date.
Before this, the peak viewership was recorded at 5.41 million in the Free Fire World Series 2021.
Here is a table with the highest peak viewers in Esports tournaments:
| Tournament | Peak Viewers |
|---|---|
| League of Legends World Championship 2023 | 6.4 million |
| Free Fire World Series 2021 | 5.41 million |
| League of Legends World Championship 2022 | 5.15 million |
| Mobile Legends M5 World Championship | 5.07 million |
| Mobile Legends M4 World Championship | 4.27 million |
| League of Legends World Championship 2021 | 4.02 million |
| League of Legends World Championship 2019 | 3.99 million |
Source: Statista
Esports Market Statistics
With over 3 billion gamers in today’s ever-changing digital age, the Esports market is prospering.
Due to technological advancements, growing audience reach, and investments globally, Esports is gaining attention worldwide.
The United States Is Expected To Have An Esports User Penetration Rate Of 23.4% By 2028
Leaving China behind, the United States has an Esports user penetration rate of 18.7% in 2024 and is set to attain a rate of 23.4% by 2028.
Though the United States has a better market share than China, Asian countries collectively contribute more to the Esports market revenue.
Meanwhile, China is second, with an Esports user penetration rate of 15.5% in 2024, which is expected to reach 17.9% by 2028.
Source: Statista
Asian Countries Have The Most Esports Fans
Since Asia has over 1.5 billion gamers, Esports is highly loved and supported in Asian countries.
A study concluded that over 40% of the total Esports fans come from China and the Philippines.
Around half of the Philippines’ internet users watch and support Esports regularly.
On the other hand, more than 80% of the United States respondents claimed they were not interested in Esports in any way; such is the contrast.
Source: Statista
The Global eSports Market Is Estimated To Be Valued At Over $2.89 Billion In 2025
The global eSports market was worth $1.98 billion in 2023 and shows no signs of slowing down. With a projected annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.9%, it’s expected to reach $2.89 billion this year.
Looking further ahead, the industry’s momentum could push its value to an impressive $10.9 billion by 2032, highlighting its incredible growth potential.
Here is a table showing the growth of the eSports market over the years:
| Year | Market Value |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $1.64 billion |
| 2023 | $1.98 billion |
| 2024* | $2.39 billion |
| 2025* | $2.89 billion |
| 2026* | $3.50 billion |
| 2027* | $4.23 billion |
| 2028* | $5.11 billion |
| 2029* | $6.17 billion |
| 2030* | $7.46 billion |
| 2031* | $9.02 billion |
| 2032* | $10.9 billion |
Source: GlobeNewswire *Projected numbers
The United States Esports Market Is Estimated To Be Valued At Over $1.07 Billion
With respect to revenue, the United States dominates the Esports sector.
The United States Esports market was valued at around $871 million in 2023 and is estimated to have reached over $1.07 billion.
With an expected CAGR of 18.7% between 2024 and 2028, the United States esports market is projected to reach a market volume of $1.51 billion by 2028.
Here is a table with the expected market value by region:
| Region | Market Value |
|---|---|
| United States | $1.07 billion |
| China | $497.6 million |
| Germany | $299.5 million |
| France | $169.3 million |
Source: Statista
Esports Sponsorships Were Responsible For Generating 837.2 Million In Revenue In 2022
Sponsorships are as important for eSports as they have been for other sports.
Generating over $837.2 million in 2022, most of the eSports revenue was generated through sponsorships.
Around $338.5 million was generated collectively by media rights and publisher fees.
Here is a table showing the global eSports market revenue generated by different segments:
| Segment | Market Revenue |
|---|---|
| Sponsorships | $837.3 million |
| Media rights | $207.8 million |
| Publisher fees | $130.7 million |
| Merchandise and tickets | $107.9 million |
| Digital | $53.9 million |
| Streaming | $46.3 million |
Source: Statista
Esports Players And Teams Statistics
Due to esports tournaments, online streaming, and social media, the Esports players are getting the recognition and popularity they deserve.
Alongside its growing popularity, numerous companies are investing in esports teams and developing a professional network of players who compete in tournaments while promoting their brands.
With the expansion of gaming to the next level, more money flows through the online gaming market, which has motivated many new gamers to make a career in Esports.
There Are 3,530 Active eSports Players In The United States
As of 2023, the United States had the highest number of active esports players worldwide. China ranked second with 2,024 players, while Brazil secured third place with 1,356 players.
Despite its smaller population compared to some higher-ranked countries, South Korea maintains a strong presence in eSports, ranking fourth with 1,113 active players, reflecting its gaming culture.
The following table displays the number of active esports players by country as of 2023:
| Country | Number of Active Esports Players |
|---|---|
| United States | 3,530 |
| China | 2,024 |
| Brazil | 1,356 |
| Republic of Korea | 1,113 |
| France | 1,047 |
| Germany | 942 |
| Australia | 937 |
| Japan | 890 |
| Russian Federation | 886 |
| United Kingdom | 821 |
| Vietnam | 668 |
| Indonesia | 579 |
| India | 559 |
Source: Statista
As Of 2025, N0tail (Johan Sundstein) Is The Highest-Earning Male eSports Player
From Denmark, N0tail has racked up around $7.18 million from his esports career, earning recognition for his legendary wins in four Dota Major championships.
Coming in second is JerAx (Jesse Vainikka), with earnings of $6.49 million.
Here is a table showcasing leading male Esports players by earnings:
| Player | Esports Earnings |
|---|---|
| N0tail (Johan Sundstein) | $7.18 million |
| JerAx (Jesse Vainikka) | $6.49 million |
| ana (Anathan Pham) | $6.02 million |
| Ceb (Sebastien Debs) | $5.95 million |
| Topson (Topias Taavitsainen) | $5.9 million |
| Miposhka (Yaroslav Naidenov) | $5.88 million |
| Collapse (Magomed Khalilov) | $5.59 million |
| Yatoro (Ilya Mulyarchuki) | $5.58 million |
| Mira (Miroslaw Kolpakov) | $5.56 million |
| KuroKy (Kuro Takhasomi) | $5.3 million |
Source: Statista
Scarlett (Sasha Hostyn) is the Highest-Earning Female Esports Player As Of 2025
The Canadian gamer has earned around $472,110 throughout her professional gaming career. Scarlett made history by being recognized in the Guinness Book of Records on October 5, 2016, for having the highest career earnings for a female competitive video game player.
Liooon (Li Xiao Meng) and alexis (Alexis Guarrasi) hold the second and third spots for female esports earnings, respectively.
Here is a table showing leading female Esports players by earnings:
| Player | Esport Earnings |
|---|---|
| Scarlett (Sacha Hostyn) | $472,110 |
| Liooon (Li, Xiao Meng) | $241,510 |
| alexis (Alexis Guarrasi) | $131,290 |
| meL (Melanie Capone) | $131,290 |
| vilga (Ksenia Klyuenkova) | $125,000 |
| Mystik (Katherine Gunn) | $122,550 |
Source: Statista
Team Liquid Has Earned The Most Prize Money, With A Total Of $53.42 Million
This success is fueled by major investments and enticing prize pools that have driven numerous professional teams to compete for the top spots.
Another prominent esports team, OG, comes in second, with $38.7 million in prize earnings.
Big-name sponsors like HTC and Honda have also backed the leading European esports team, Team Liquid.
Here is a table showing top-earning professional Esports teams in terms of total prize money won:
| Team | Country | Prize Money Won |
|---|---|---|
| Team Liquid | Europe | $53.42 million |
| OG | Europe | $38.7million |
| Team Spirit | Russia | $31.79 million |
| Evil Geniuses | United States | $28.57 million |
| Natus Vincere | Ukraine | $23.36 million |
| Fnatic | United Kingdom | $21.57 million |
| Team Secret | Europe | $20.79 million |
| FaZe Clan | United States | $20.76 million |
| Virtus.pro | Russia | $20.45 million |
| Paris Saint-Germain Esports | France | $19.8 million |
Source: Statista
TSM Has The Highest Revenue Of $540 Million Among The Esports Organizations
With a vast market and opportunities to make money in Esports, many big organizations are investing and generating a lot of revenue.
TSM is considered the biggest gaming organization that employs and trains players and curates powerful teams.
TSM gaming organization has generated the highest $540 million revenue as reported in 2022.
The second-highest-earning organization, 100 Thieves, has generated around $460 million in revenue.
Here is a table showing the revenue of the Esports organizations worldwide:
| Organization | Revenue |
|---|---|
| TSM | $540 million |
| 100 Thieves | $460 million |
| Team Liquid | $440 million |
| FaZe Clan | $400 million |
| Cloud9 | $380 million |
| G2 Esports | $340 million |
| Fnatic | $260 million |
| Gen G | $250 million |
| NRG | $240 million |
| T1 | $220 million |
Source: Statista
Esports Games And Streaming Statistics
With the growing demand for Esports tournaments, the need to develop high-quality and optimized games for competitive gaming is increasing.
Multiplayer, First Person Shooter, and Battle Royale are the most popular game categories in Esports that have bigger money prizes and attract more players.
DOTA 2 Had The Largest Prize Pool Of Around $29.56 Million In 2023
DOTA 2 is an interesting multiplayer Real-time strategy (RTS) game that is mostly played in a 5v5 setting.
The Esports-compatible game had a collective prize pool of over $29.56 million in 2023 and $32.85 million in 2022.
DOTA 2 has many players interested in signing up for the tournaments; hence, tournament pool prizes are highest for DOTA 2.
Here is a table showing Esports games with the largest prize pool in 2023:
| Game | Collective Prize Pool |
|---|---|
| DOTA 2 | $29.56 million |
| Fortnite | $19.11 million |
| PlayerUnknown’s Battleground Mobile (PUBG Mobile) | $15.94 million |
| Counter Strike Global Offensive (CSGO) | $14.99 million |
| Rainbow Six Siege | $8.9 million |
| VALORANT | $8.5 million |
| Arena of Valor | $8.42 million |
| Rocket League | $8.4 million |
| League of Legends | $7.64 million |
| PlayerUnknown’s Battleground Mobile (PUBG PC) | $7 million |
Other than these games, Millions of users are also playing puzzle games like Strands Game and Worlde.
Source: esportearnings
More Than 5 Million Streamers On Twitch Are Streaming Fortnite
Due to the interesting and engaging gameplay, Fortnite has been streamed for over 60 million hours.
Owing to the grand fan base, Fortnite Esports tournament players also make a good amount of money from the large pool prizes.
Attracting an audience of every age, Fortnite has over 624 million watch hours. Valorant is the second most streamed game on Twitch, with around 1.5 million streamers.
Source: SullyGnome
Miscellaneous Esports Statistics And Facts
- 70% of the Esports fans in the United States are male, while around 28% are female.
- The United States Esports average revenue per user (ARPU) is estimated at $16.73.
- The average age of a United States Esports viewer is 29.
- The number of Esports viewers is expected to hit 1 billion by 2025.
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds tournament prize pool surpassed $25 million over the period of 1 year.
- The overall prize pool for Fortnite is more than $60 million
- Counter-Strike Global Offensive (CS: GO) tournaments had an estimated prize money of $16.45 million in 2022.
- 76% of esports fans devote more time to esports than traditional sports.
Conclusion: 640.8 Million People Worldwide Are Estimated To Watch Esports In 2025
Esports is growing at an incredible pace and is projected to have a global audience of over 640.8 million by the end of 2025. Around 318.1 million people are expected to watch esports regularly, with many more tuning in occasionally.
Top players like N0tail, who has earned $7.18 million, and Scarlett, the highest-earning female player with $472,110, are leading the charge. Esports has become a mainstream sport, with teams like Team Liquid raking in over $53.42 million in prize money.
With esports continuing to rise, the future looks promising, creating countless opportunities for players, influencers, and brands to succeed in this rapidly growing and exciting industry.
