The turnover of the eSports industry will exceed 900 million dollars this year

As revenues grow, ensuring exclusivity for major eSports events will be a strategic issue for both traditional sports broadcasters and streaming platforms.

Futureuresource Consulting has carried out a study in which it highlights that the total revenue of the eSports industry will exceed the 900 million dollars (799.2 million euros) this year, with an expected CAGR of 18 percent, driving revenue to $1.8 billion in 2020 and $1.8 billion in 2023.

As key events attract viewership numbers comparable to top-tier sports competitions, ensuring exclusivity of major sporting events will be strategically important for both traditional sports broadcasters and the largest esports streaming platforms.

eSports is becoming increasingly popular and is already part of university life, especially in the United States, in the same way as soccer or hockey teams, according to the study titled Sports Opportunity for Broadcasting, Pro-AV and IT Industries.

Universities are building eSports labs where their local teams can practice, equipped with high-quality gaming computers and streaming equipment. Some universities even have their own eSports stadium, where hundreds of spectators can watch the main competitions live on giant screens. Secondary schools have also begun to form sports teams, and some schools and universities already offer sports as part of their curriculum, as well as bachelor's and master's degrees in sports combined with business or event management.