Are eSports Still Experiencing Global Growth in 2025?

Gone are the days of eSports as an emerging trend, with people questioning if the industry will thrive. There is no doubt eSports is now a global force that has defined the way we play video games. Having experienced continuous growth over the last decade, are eSports still experiencing global growth in 2025?

The Statistics

If we look at recent statistics, the eSports market was valued at $2.44 billion in 2024. The eSports revenue figures have increased every year up to and including 2024, which is a good sign we will see continued growth in 2025. In fact, there is no hint the industry is going to slow down, and it is forecast that the number of eSports users in the United States alone will surpass 72 million in 2029.

In terms of the eSports market size, it has been predicted to grow to $3.25 billion in 2025, which is close to $1 billion more than 2024. It is projected that the annual growth rate of the eSports market is 21 percent between 2024 and 2029, and the eSports market value could more than double by 2029. While these numbers are projections, they are based on accurate past data and show the competitive gaming scene is only going to get bigger in 2025.

Major eSports Events

When analysing the global growth of eSports in 2025, we can also use viewing figures of the major eSports events. The League of Legends Worlds is arguably the biggest eSports tournament staged annually, and each year we have witnessed an increase in peak concurrent viewers. Between 2020 and 2024, the number of viewers has grown from 3.88 million to 6.86 million.

The total eSports audience worldwide in 2022 was 261.2 million people and that is projected to grow to 318.1 million people in 2025. The numbers do not lie and prove eSports is still enjoying global growth in 2025.

Driving Factors Behind eSports Growth

The stats show eSports are still experiencing growth in 2025, but what are the driving factors behind the continued progress of the industry? The continued advancement in mobile gaming means more people are attracted to eSports. Mobile phones are becoming more affordable, so more people have access to online mobile gaming. Internet connections are getting faster and more reliable, so people always have access and can play their favourite games.

Mainstream media have started to promote eSports in recent years, introducing the industry to a wider audience. Channels including ESPN in the United States and the BBC in the United Kingdom have broadcast live tournaments and aired documentaries about the eSports industry, games, and players. Colleges and other educational institutions have added eSports to their offerings, including full scholarships for gaming. This means gamers are being taken more seriously than they were a decade ago when games were still seen mostly as a bit of fun rather than a genuine career opportunity. With the amount of money available to players in the big competitions, eSports will continue to grow in 2025 and beyond.