As of 2024, the global esports market is valued at an impressive $2.39 billion, with projections showing it could exceed $10 billion by 2032, growing at a remarkable annual rate of 20.9%
Esports viewership is also on the rise, with the audience expected to surpass 640.8 million by 2025. This includes over 322 million occasional viewers and 318 million dedicated fans. The Asia-Pacific region leads the way, making up more than 57% of the total esports audience.
This article highlights the latest statistics on esports, including the number of esports users, viewers, market size, and more.
Esports Statistics 2024: Top Picks
- The global esports audience will exceed 640.8 million by 2025.
- There will be 322.7 million occasional viewers and 318.1 million dedicated fans.
- The U.S. has 3,530 active esports players.
- Asia-Pacific holds over 57% of esports viewers.
- 40% of fans are from China and the Philippines.
- The global esports market is valued at $2.39 billion in 2024.
- 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 audience for esports is expected to surpass 640.8 million by 2025.
Thanks to the globalization of gaming and innovations in broadcasting, more players and fans are diving into the esports world. Back in 2020, there were around 435.7 million viewers, which grew to an impressive 532.1 million by 2022.
As esports continues to rise in popularity, the audience is on track to reach new heights, with projections pointing to over 640.8 million viewers worldwide 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
There Will Be Over 318.1 Million Esports Fanatics In 2025
With a number of already established gamers entering Esports, the fan bases are also watching and supporting their favorite influencers.
Esports is totally considered a mainstream sport in 2024.
There were around 261.2 million esports fanatics and 270.9 million occasional viewers in 2022.
The number of viewers has increased gradually over the years, and it is expected that over 322.5 million occasional viewers and 318.1 million Esports fanatics will watch Esports by 2025.
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 in 2024.
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 $2.39 Billion In 2024
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 $2.39 billion by the end of 2024.
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 Will Be Valued At Over $1.07 Billion In 2024
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 set to reach over $1.07 billion in 2024.
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 in 2024:
| 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
N0tail (Johan Sundstein) Was The Highest Earning Male Esports Player In 2023
Hailing from Denmark, Johan Sundstein, better known as N0tail, has earned around $7.12 million from his Esports ventures.
The Danish Esports player is known for his legendary performances in winning Dota Major championships 4 times.
JerAx (Jesse Vainikka), making $6.49 million, is second in terms of Esports earnings.
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) | $5.87 million |
| Topson (Topias Taavitsainen) | $5.7 million |
| KuroKy (Kuro Takhasomi) | $5.29 million |
| Miposhka (Yarostav Naidenov) | $5.26 million |
| Yatoro (Ilya Mulyarchuki) | $5.03 million |
| Collapse (Magomed Khalilov) | $5.03 million |
| Mira (Miroslaw Kolpakov) | $5.02 million |
Source: Statista
Scarlett (Sasha Hostyn) Was The Highest-earning Female Esports Player In 2023
Scarlett (Sacha Hostyn) reportedly made around $443,810 in Esports earnings in 2023.
The Canadian gamer was also entered in the Guinness Book of Records as “highest career earnings for a female competitive video game player” on October 5, 2016.
China Liooon and Mystik were the second and third-highest Esports earners in 2023, respectively.
Here is a table showing leading female Esports players by earnings:
| Player | Esport Earnings |
|---|---|
| Scarlett (Sacha Hostyn) | $443,810 |
| China Liooon (Li,Xiao Meng) | $241,510 |
| Mystik(Katherine Gunn) | $122,550 |
| vilga(Ksenia Klyuenkova) | $98,490 |
| juliano (Julia Kiran) | $96,050 |
| Nina (Nina Qual) | $90,970 |
Source: Statista
Team Liquid, With 44.08 Million, Has Won The Biggest Amount Of Total Prize Money
The big investments and attractive prize money have motivated many professional teams to compete and win the prize money.
Team Liquid has won around $44.08 million worth of prize money, which is the highest. Another famous Esports team, OG, has also earned $37.7 million from prize money and ranked second among the highest-earning teams.
Big names like HTC and Honda have sponsored the European Esports 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 | $44.08 million |
| OG | Europe | $37.7 million |
| Evil Geniuses | United States | $26.74 million |
| Team Spirit | Russia | $21.79 million |
| Natus Vincere | Ukraine | $20.41 million |
| Team Secret | Europe | $19.71 million |
| Fnatic | United Kingdom | $19.32 million |
| Paris Saint Germain Esports | France | $18.56 million |
| Virtus.pro | Russia | $18.53 million |
| FaZe Clan | United States | $16.15 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 In 2024
Due to the interesting and engaging gameplay, Fortnite has been streamed for over 60 million hours as of 2024.
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 in 2024.
Valorant is the second most streamed game on Twitch, with around 1.5 million streamers in 2024.
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: Over 532.1 Million People Worldwide Watch Esports
This number is projected to reach 640.8 million by 2025, reflecting the growing appeal of competitive gaming
Esports continues to provide significant earning potential, with games like Dota 2 boasting a cumulative prize pool of $346 million. Other titles like Fortnite and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive follow closely, offering prize pools of $180 million and $162 million, respectively
The 2023 League of Legends World Championship made waves, setting a record with a peak of 6.4 million viewers, underscoring the massive popularity of top esports events. Moreover, professional players such as Johan Sundstein (“N0tail”) have earned over $7 million in career prize money, highlighting the lucrative opportunities in the esports industry.
