Analysts predict an increase in global esports revenue

Newzoo, a company that studies the computer games market, has presented its global report on the development of eSports in the world. Analysts estimate core firms will generate $1.1 billion in revenue from these activities by the end of 2021, with $833.6 million of that from media rights and sponsorships. At the end of 2020, enterprises received $947.1 million, experts said. Experts believe that the global audience of live broadcasts of eSports games will reach 728.8 million people by the end of 2021 (72.88 million more than in 2020), and in 2024 will increase to 920.3 million people. The global esports audience will grow to 474 million people in 2021 (up from 473.99 million in 2020), of which there will be 234 million enthusiasts – those who watch game broadcasts more than once a month (up 20.35 million than in 2020). In 2024, the global esports audience will be 577.2 million people, Newzoo predicts. Last year, the coronavirus pandemic devastated the esports and live game markets. But due to the introduction of restrictions to combat COVID-19, the number of viewers on major platforms has skyrocketed, with the majority of users preferring Twitch, Youtube and Huya, analysts said. They expect global live audience growth to stabilize once the spread of the coronavirus infection subsides, with growth rates gradually returning to their more natural levels by 2024. In addition, experts added that the growth of the global audience of broadcasts will be driven by the popularity of mobile games in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, Central and South Asia, Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia. As previously reported, by 2028 the online gambling market will grow to $158 billion. Recall that in 2020, the sports betting market received $203 billion, which is 2.5 times more than in 2019.