eMarketer principal analyst Paul Verna said: “eSports was once an under-the-radar activity for enthusiasts of multiplayer online games. Just a few years later, it’s a multimillion-dollar business in the US, with implications for game developers, players, leagues, teams, live venues, streaming platforms, TV networks, audiences, and marketers.”
This year it is estimated that 30.3 million people in the US will watch an eSports event at least once a month, up more than 18% over last year. By 2023, eSports could be growing by more than 50%, touching 46.2 million viewership.
“eSports fans have unique characteristics that make them more elusive but potentially more lucrative for marketers. They are typically young, TV-averse millennials who have higher-than-average disposable income,” Verna said.
“They are open to marketing messages that are embedded in the eSports experience, whether those are sponsorships, branded videos, in-game integrations, influencer-driven endorsements or even traditional ads,” Verna said concluded.
Source: GMB / EuropeanGaming.eu
