How big will eSports become in 2019? REALLY big, according to Deloitte Global’s 2019 “Technology, Media and Telecommunications Predictions”report.
“In 2019, the North American market for eSports will expand by 35 percent, driven by advertising, broadcast licensing and franchise sales,” according to the report’s authors, who are digital world experts. “Existing leagues will expand, and new leagues could launch under other top game titles, all generating significant revenue for leading game companies.”
In fact, Deloitte Global predicts that new North American franchise leagues for Overwatch, NBA2K and League of Legends will expand into major cities — following the model for professional sports, attracting more fans and players, and making eSports leagues even more desirable to broadcasters.
“Overall, analysts expect reported revenues from the global eSports market to reach $1 billion in 2019,” the report concludes.
What’s more, as MediaPost.com reports, “eSports are also flexible in a way that traditional sports are not. Because the game developer controls their own platform, game play can be tweaked or dramatically changed with ease. New modes or characters can be added without friction.”
Want more proof? ESL, a major independent eSports company, in December announced an extension of its global partnership with tech giant Intel. Over the next three years, the two companies will invest more than $100 million to continue shaping the future of eSports through innovative technology, tournaments and events. ESL hails the brand and technology partnership as the biggest in eSports history.
“This joint investment with ESL into the ecosystem means that the eSports growth and innovation that we’ve led over the past two decades will continue,” John Bonini, vice president and general manager of VR, Gaming and Esports at Intel Corporation, said in a statement. “This partnership will advance the rapid evolution of eSports, and Intel is committed to ushering in this new era with technology solutions that place the gaming community and fans first.”
For what it’s worth, here are the top five eSports on the rise for 2019, according to esportsobserver.com, a leading source for eSports business news and insights:
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
4. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
3. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
2. Clash Royale
1. Magic: The Gathering Arena
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