Esports have taken the love of gaming young people have often had and turned it into a culture and a career for many.
The world of competitive gaming is now consistently growing in popularity, and the quality of streaming and in-person events is continually improving.
For amateurs and professionals, Esports has become a spectator event for all, attracting millions of viewers from around the world to its events.
YouTube, Twitch, and similar sites have given people everywhere access to competitions and played a massive part in the success of Esports in transitioning from a hobby to a globally lucrative industry.
There isn’t just one style of game that is popular with Esports, though games based on our favorite sports, such as soccer or the NFL, owe a lot to the sports they are derived from. Betting has become a big part of Esports, like with Superbowl odds yearly.
Whenever a Super Bowl occurs, fans worldwide will be whirled up into a frenzy. The NFL has done an excellent job building its global fanbase, meaning more and more Esports players and fans with Fantasy Football and the Madden series to get involved.
Madden is an NFL game, and Madden 25 is the latest edition, which has gained a considerable following. With fans engaged in this and fantasy football, the growth of these games, and their quality, so many thanks need to be paid to the NFL from the Esports industry.
FIFA games have been massive for years, with the global reach of the Premier League and other international and national cups and leagues. The NFL has continued to compete for followers and fans worldwide, not just in America. The NFL has over 410 million fans, making it the most significant sports property in the world.
This growth gives Esports companies and tournaments a considerable number of fans to reach, who already have a passionate following of the NFL to try and tempt them into the Esports industry.
Esports in 2025
2025 sees the industry looking to mature and consolidate where it has arrived after years of booming growth.
This is not to suggest the industry will be doing any real slowing down. More muscular business models look to be being developed to support organizations that have grown successfully and continue to do so.
Mergers and acquisitions lawyers will be in full flow as those successful organizations look set to be commonplace this year, and those who successfully grew in the industry begin to strengthen their positions further.
Some experts in the industry had the following to say about predicting the industry’s general outlook and steps ahead in 2025.
Alban Dechelotte, CEO, G2 Esports: “More consolidation of teams into global organizations capable of competing in major games, major regions and global fandoms.”
Daniel Finkler, CEO, BIG: “In 2025, esports will continue its global expansion, with classic esports and mobile gaming solidifying its dominance. AI and data analytics will revolutionize key areas like marketing, coaching, strategy, and fan engagement, while teams increasingly adopt diversified business models to ensure financial sustainability.”
Animesh ‘8Bit Thug’ Agarwal, Co-Founder, S8UL: “In 2025, esports will continue expanding into more titles, creating opportunities for a broader range of players and audiences. As new games gain traction, regions like South Asia and MENA are expected to emerge as significant contributors to the global esports ecosystem. Mobile esports will remain dominant in mobile-first markets, further solidifying its position as a key growth driver.”
Some of the most successful Esports games
- Counter-Strike
This tactical first-person shooter has been the most popular Esports game, with over 7000 teams registered online since November 2016. First released in 2000, it has since had several new releases, with the latest in the series coming out in 2023.
Tactical games where players can compete against others online and in teams provide a considerable part of the Esports industry, and these games have developed so much that their followings are enormous.
- Dota 2
The most financially rewarding game for an Esports professional to play is Dota 2, which, throughout its tournaments, has given out a combined prize pool of more than $333 million across official tournaments.
N0tail, the Player ID for Johan Sudstein, has become the highest-earning player in Esports history, earning more than $7 million in prize money for his success in the game.
- League of Legends
It is a classic game that has become the most popular Esports game in terms of viewership. Over the years, League of Legends has seen more than 6.8 million peak viewers for its game, more than a million ahead of the second highest, Free Fire.
