• In April 2025, Modern Times Group (MTG) acquired Plarium, a top-tier gaming studio, to expand its direct-to-consumer platform and reinforce its presence in the competitive gaming sector through Plarium Play.

• In March 2025, Gameloft introduced a new mobile esports platform for Asphalt 9: Legends, enabling community-led tournaments with live streaming, regular events, and rewards to grow the mobile esports audience.

In this report, the Esports Market has been segmented by Revenue Stream, Streaming Type, Game, Platform and Geography.

Esports Market, Segmentation by Revenue Stream

The Esports Market has been segmented by Revenue Stream into Media Rights, Game Publisher Fee, Sponsorship, Digital Advertisement, and Tickets & Merchandise.

Media Rights
Media rights represent a significant revenue stream in the Esports Market, contributing approximately 20% of the total earnings. These rights are sold to streaming platforms and broadcasters for the exclusive privilege of airing tournaments and events. The rising audience for Esports has substantially elevated the value of media licensing agreements.

Game Publisher Fee
Game publisher fees account for around 14% of the revenue and are generated when publishers charge tournament organizers or teams for using their games in competitive events. These fees support game development and community engagement efforts, reinforcing the publisher’s central role in the ecosystem.

Sponsorship
Sponsorship is the largest revenue stream, making up about 39% of the Esports Market. Brands across various industries invest heavily in Esports for brand visibility, leveraging team partnerships, event endorsements, and in-game branding to reach targeted demographics.

Digital Advertisement
Digital advertisement contributes nearly 15% to the overall revenue. These earnings come from video ads, banners, and pop-ups during live streams and Esports-related content. The format is highly appealing due to its data-driven targeting capabilities.

Tickets & Merchandise
Tickets and merchandise collectively contribute around 12% of the market revenue. These include live event ticket sales, team apparel, collectibles, and branded accessories, all playing a key role in strengthening fan engagement and loyalty.

Esports Market, Segmentation by Streaming Type

The Esports Market has been segmented by Streaming Type into Live and On-Demand.

Live
Live streaming dominates the Esports Market, accounting for approximately 67% of total viewership. It offers real-time coverage of tournaments, enhancing audience engagement and excitement. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube Live are pivotal in broadcasting live Esports events to global audiences.

On-Demand
On-demand streaming contributes about 33% of the market and caters to viewers who prefer flexibility. It includes pre-recorded matches, highlights, and player content. This format supports extended content consumption and helps maintain long-term viewer interest.

Esports Market, Segmentation by Game

The Esports Market has been segmented by Game into Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (Moba), Real Time Strategy, First Person Shooter, and Fighting & Sports.

Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)
MOBA games, such as League of Legends and Dota 2, lead the Esports segment with around 35% market share. These games emphasize team strategy and complex gameplay, making them ideal for professional competitions and massive audience engagement.

Real Time Strategy
Real Time Strategy games contribute roughly 10% of the Esports market. Titles like StarCraft demand high-level tactical thinking and quick decision-making, drawing a niche but dedicated player and viewer base within the competitive gaming ecosystem.

First Person Shooter
First Person Shooter games account for approximately 30% of the market, driven by popular titles like Counter-Strike and Call of Duty. These games offer fast-paced action and are favored for their high entertainment value and broad audience appeal.

Fighting & Sports
Fighting and Sports games make up around 25% of the Esports segment. Titles such as FIFA, NBA 2K, and Street Fighter attract both casual players and professionals, helping bridge the gap between traditional sports and digital competition.

Esports Market, Segmentation by Platform

The Esports Market has been segmented by Platform into Computer, Console, Mobile and Others.

Computer
Computer-based gaming holds the largest share in the Esports Market, contributing nearly 50% of the platform segmentation. It is favored for its high-performance capabilities and support for complex, graphics-intensive Esports titles, making it the primary platform for professional tournaments.

Console
Console gaming accounts for approximately 20% of the market. Popular among casual gamers and console-exclusive game titles, platforms like PlayStation and Xbox enable competitive gaming with standardized hardware and user-friendly interfaces.

Mobile
Mobile Esports is rapidly growing, making up around 25% of the market. Games like PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends have brought competitive gaming to a broader, global audience, especially in emerging markets due to their affordability and accessibility.

Others
The 'Others' segment, which includes VR and emerging platforms, represents roughly 5% of the market. While currently niche, these platforms hold potential for future growth through innovative and immersive gaming experiences.

Esports Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Esports Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.

Esports Market Share (%), by Geographical Region

North America
North America is a leading region in the Esports Market, contributing around 25% of the global revenue. The region benefits from strong infrastructure, sponsorship deals, and a mature gaming culture, particularly in the U.S. and Canada.

Europe
Europe holds approximately 20% of the Esports Market. Countries like Germany, the UK, and France are major contributors, with a growing base of professional teams and organized tournaments fueling the region’s competitive scene.

Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific dominates the Esports Market with nearly 40% share. Nations like China, South Korea, and Japan are at the forefront, driven by high mobile penetration, government support, and a massive gamer population.

Middle East and Africa
The Middle East and Africa region accounts for about 8% of the market. Esports is gaining momentum here due to increasing internet access, investment in digital infrastructure, and growing youth engagement.

Latin America
Latin America contributes close to 7% of the Esports Market. Countries like Brazil and Mexico are key players, with rising tournament participation and growing interest from local sponsors and developers.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Esports Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis.

Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis

Drivers

• Advancements in Technology
• Corporate Sponsorship and Investment
• Professionalization of Esports

• Cultural Acceptance and Recognition - The increasing level of cultural acceptance and recognition has been a transformative driver in the rise of the esports market. What was once perceived as a niche or underground activity has now entered mainstream global consciousness, supported by mass media, celebrity endorsements, and institutional backing. Esports events are now broadcast on major television networks, covered by reputable news outlets, and embraced by traditional sports leagues, marking a shift in societal perception and elevating the status of professional gamers and tournaments.

  This evolution is especially visible among younger demographics, where gaming is not only accepted but celebrated as a legitimate form of competition and entertainment. Schools and universities are incorporating esports programs into their extracurricular offerings, providing scholarships and building gaming arenas that mirror traditional athletic support structures. This legitimization at the educational level strengthens the credibility of esports and fosters early engagement from aspiring players and fans alike.

  Public figures, influencers, and professional athletes are increasingly vocal about their support and involvement in esports, breaking down generational stereotypes and making it more relatable across audiences. Governments in several regions have also started recognizing esports as an official sport, granting it access to funding, visas for professional players, and inclusion in multi-sport events like the Asian Games. These formal recognitions further embed esports into cultural frameworks and reinforce its long-term viability.

  As esports continues to benefit from cultural integration, new audiences are drawn in not just for gameplay but for community, storytelling, and immersive digital experiences. This growing acceptance fuels brand partnerships, media rights sales, and the expansion of global tournaments. With social and institutional validation increasing across markets, the esports ecosystem is likely to maintain its momentum as a culturally rooted and commercially significant sector.

Restraints

• Lack of Infrastructure in Developing Regions
• Dependency on Publisher Support
• Entry Barriers for New Players and Teams

• Monetization Challenges for Small and Medium-sized Esports Entities - Despite rapid growth at the top levels of competition, the esports ecosystem faces persistent challenges with monetization for small and medium-sized entities. Unlike major teams and tournaments backed by international sponsors, smaller organizations often lack access to scalable revenue streams. They struggle to attract significant brand partnerships, negotiate lucrative media rights, or sustain consistent prize winnings, all of which are vital for survival and growth in a competitive landscape.

  Streaming platforms and tournament organizers typically prioritize larger, more popular teams and influencers for exposure, leaving smaller players with minimal visibility. Without strong viewership numbers or consistent content output, it becomes difficult for these entities to build a loyal fanbase or attract funding. This imbalance in exposure contributes to revenue concentration at the top, limiting the ecosystem’s ability to support broad-based growth and talent diversity.

  Monetization is further complicated by inconsistent monetization models across platforms. While some platforms offer ad revenue or donations, others rely on subscription models that are difficult to convert without a massive following. Small and mid-tier organizations frequently find themselves caught between fan expectations and financial feasibility. Unless new monetization avenues are developed—such as revenue sharing, grassroots sponsorships, or accessible micro-transactions—these entities will continue to face sustainability issues within the esports industry.

Opportunities

• Diversification of Revenue Streams
• Integration with Traditional Sports and Entertainment
• Innovation in Content and Technology

• Investment in Talent Development and Infrastructure - Increased investment in talent development and infrastructure presents a powerful opportunity for the esports market. As the industry matures, stakeholders recognize that long-term growth depends on nurturing a robust ecosystem that supports players, coaches, content creators, and operational staff from the grassroots to the professional level. Structured training academies, scouting programs, and collegiate leagues are becoming instrumental in identifying and grooming talent early, mirroring development pathways seen in traditional sports.

  Investment in physical infrastructure—such as dedicated esports arenas, practice facilities, and high-performance training centers—helps to standardize the professional environment and elevate the overall quality of play. These venues also double as revenue-generating hubs through ticketed events, merchandise sales, and experiential fan engagement zones. The presence of tangible infrastructure makes the industry more visible, credible, and attractive to sponsors, investors, and government entities.

  Brands and organizations that lead in infrastructure development and talent cultivation will be better positioned to command audience loyalty and commercial partnerships. Public-private collaborations, government grants, and international esports federations can further accelerate these investments by aligning educational, sporting, and technological objectives. As the global esports industry scales, targeted infrastructure and talent development will serve as foundational pillars for its next phase of sustainable expansion.

Key players in Esports Market include:

• Tencent
• Team Liquid
• Fnatic
• T1
• 100 Thieves
• TSM
• Evil Geniuses
• FaZe Clan
• OG
• Natus Vincere (NaVi)
• Team Spirit
• Cloud9
• Complexity Gaming
• Gen.G

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Market Share Analysis
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis