What Can We Expect From The eSports Market In 2022?

In 2021, the global eSports market was valued at more than $1.08 billion, which represents an almost 50% increase from 2020 . There’s a degree of optimism in the industry that 2022 will be just as fruitful, with some analysts even predicting that global revenue will reach $1.62 billion in 2024. It seems like an achievable goal, but for that to happen, now isn’t the time for the eSports market to coast on its recent successes. In fact, in 2022, the industry will need to push boundaries and open new doors if it wants to stay at the top of its game, and in this article, we’re going to explore a few of the ways in which it can do that.

More Celebrity And Athlete Investment

Sponsorships and advertising are the biggest moneymakers in the eSports industry, bringing in a combined $641 million in 2021, so there must be increased celebrity involvement and investment in the market in 2022. That’s not an impossible goal, considering we know several high-net-worth individuals and athletes are already involved in the industry. For instance, the likes of Mike Tyson, Drake, and Shaquille O’Neal have invested in eSports as the market pushes even further into mainstream media.

Increased Involvement From Non-Conventional Industries

The live sports business has attracted several non-conventional industries due to its growth and popularity. Streaming services like Amazon and Twitch are all behind the transition we are seeing wherein live sports are increasingly blocked behind a paywall, and so, it wouldn’t be surprising to see these companies also move into eSports. Eyes are obviously on the global sports market, and it’s hard to ignore eSports’ dominating presence. Plus, companies that are reluctant to move into eSports don’t have to look far for an example of how a foreign company can successfully move into the sector. For instance, in 2019, Louis Vuitton designed the trophy case for the League of Legends eSports Championship.

More User Incentives

While the popularity of eSports next year will come down to outside involvement, there are actions that eSports operators can take to help increase the attraction of the industry and their platforms on their own. Rewards incentives and loyalty programs are some of the best ways to attract and retain users, and it’s something we’re seeing a lot of entertainment sites do. In fact, these incentives could be why DraftKings is one of the most well-known fantasy eSports platforms.

According to the review site Casino Smash, DraftKings has grown from a Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) site into a multifaceted casino and sportsbook platform in just nine years. In part, this is because DraftKings has several famous faces attached to its brand, including Michael Jordan, who holds an equity stake in the company. However, it’s also because the various promo codes for DraftKings that are offered have been enough to incentivize eSports players and sports bettors to either use this platform for the first time or to keep returning to it. These promotions keep driving traffic to not just DraftKings but the entire eSports market.

The eSports market has been profitable over the last few years, but this can be dangerous because we don’t want the industry to get comfortable. That’s when the competition will sneak up on it, so it’s essential that in 2022, the eSports industry continues growing and innovating. Fortunately, there are many ways to ensure this.