2016 was a great year for eSports and the worldwide economy grew beyond expectations. The forecast for the year-on-year growth in 2017 is even more optimistic and estimated at around 40%. Brands are spending significantly more money, with nearly half of all expenditures consisting of sponsorship deals. Advertising and media rights are also regarded as important investments and in 2017 are expected to surpass $200 million. The information is based on the 2017 Global Esports Market Report released by marketing intelligence company Newzoo.

Game Publishers Invest in the eSports Industry

Some of the most popular video games available today have a highly competitive multiplayer. Game developers and publishers spend large amounts on partnership deals that benefit the eSports industry. White label organizers act as the middleman between the publishers and players, by setting up leagues and special events worldwide. Until now, eSports weren’t profitable for game publishers, but they are still optimistic about the return on investment in 2017 and beyond.

The success of the eSports industry is also the result of more people watching the games without playing. The advent of live streams and major events acted as a catalyst for the most competitive video games. People are watching professional players in real-time and root for them just like they do for professional athletes. The global eSports audience now exceeds 300 million viewers, equally divided between video game enthusiasts and casual viewers.

North America is currently the largest eSports market and its revenues are expected to grow at the same accelerated pace. Enthusiasm among Europeans and Asians is on the rise, also driven by the possibility of eSports betting.