GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Esports Industry Statistics

Esports industry shows racial and gender disparities, needing improved diversity efforts.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Women make up approximately 27% of the global esports audience

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27% of esports audiences are aged under 18, with the remaining 73% over 18, showing potential for youth-focused inclusion initiatives

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65% of esports event organizers believe that diversity initiatives increase audience engagement

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43% of adolescents from minority backgrounds report feeling excluded from mainstream gaming communities

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66% of esports fans are male, indicating gender disparity in the audience

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45% of participants in esports tournaments are from marginalized communities, according to survey data

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53% of esports fans support initiatives aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion

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58% of esports streamers identify as male, indicating gender imbalance in content creation

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Only 17% of esports content creators are women

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A survey indicated that 70% of minority gamers experience discrimination in online gaming spaces

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72% of esports event viewers believe that more diverse representation in players and commentators should be encouraged

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45% of women in gaming feel that their gender negatively impacts their opportunities within esports

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68% of esports fans believe that increased diversity among players and commentators would positively influence their perception of the sport

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Only 23% of esports media coverage focuses on issues related to diversity and inclusion, indicating an area needing growth

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75% of esports tournaments are held in North America and Europe, regions with less racial diversity

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40% of gaming employees and professionals in the esports industry identify as non-white

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Only 22% of esports employees are women

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60% of esports team managers believe increasing diversity can improve team performance

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Only 12% of senior leadership roles in esports organizations are held by women

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The percentage of Asian representation in esports players is approximately 30%, higher than other ethnic groups

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The average salary for minority esports professionals is approximately 35% lower than their white counterparts

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Nearly 50% of esports tournaments have no designated diversity and inclusion policies

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80% of esports organizations state they are actively working toward better diversity and inclusion policies

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The percentage of esports players with disabilities is approximately 5%, with increasing efforts to improve accessibility

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Only 10% of esports marketing campaigns target minority or underrepresented groups explicitly

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34% of esports organizations have dedicated diversity and inclusion officers or teams

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61% of esports brands are interested in investing more in diversity-focused sponsorships

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Key Highlights

40% of gaming employees and professionals in the esports industry identify as non-white
Only 22% of esports employees are women
66% of esports fans are male, indicating gender disparity in the audience
Women make up approximately 27% of the global esports audience
75% of esports tournaments are held in North America and Europe, regions with less racial diversity
45% of participants in esports tournaments are from marginalized communities, according to survey data
60% of esports team managers believe increasing diversity can improve team performance
53% of esports fans support initiatives aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion
Only 12% of senior leadership roles in esports organizations are held by women
The percentage of Asian representation in esports players is approximately 30%, higher than other ethnic groups
58% of esports streamers identify as male, indicating gender imbalance in content creation
Only 17% of esports content creators are women
27% of esports audiences are aged under 18, with the remaining 73% over 18, showing potential for youth-focused inclusion initiatives

Despite representing a diverse and passionate global community, the esports industry still grapples with significant gender and racial disparities, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to foster a more equitable gaming landscape.

Age Demographics and Audience Composition

Women make up approximately 27% of the global esports audience
27% of esports audiences are aged under 18, with the remaining 73% over 18, showing potential for youth-focused inclusion initiatives
65% of esports event organizers believe that diversity initiatives increase audience engagement
43% of adolescents from minority backgrounds report feeling excluded from mainstream gaming communities

Age Demographics and Audience Composition Interpretation

While nearly a third of the esports audience is female and a majority of organizers see diversity efforts boosting engagement, the fact that 43% of minority adolescents feel excluded highlights a crucial need to turn these statistics from potential to inclusivity by bridging gaps both on and off the virtual battlefield.

Gender Diversity and Representation

66% of esports fans are male, indicating gender disparity in the audience
45% of participants in esports tournaments are from marginalized communities, according to survey data
53% of esports fans support initiatives aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion
58% of esports streamers identify as male, indicating gender imbalance in content creation
Only 17% of esports content creators are women
A survey indicated that 70% of minority gamers experience discrimination in online gaming spaces
72% of esports event viewers believe that more diverse representation in players and commentators should be encouraged
45% of women in gaming feel that their gender negatively impacts their opportunities within esports
68% of esports fans believe that increased diversity among players and commentators would positively influence their perception of the sport
Only 23% of esports media coverage focuses on issues related to diversity and inclusion, indicating an area needing growth

Gender Diversity and Representation Interpretation

While a growing segment of esports fans and players support diversity and inclusion initiatives, the industry still grapples with significant gender and racial disparities—highlighting that elevating representation isn't just about fairness but also essential for the sport's legitimacy and its future growth.

Geographic Distribution and Location of Events

75% of esports tournaments are held in North America and Europe, regions with less racial diversity

Geographic Distribution and Location of Events Interpretation

With 75% of esports tournaments squeezed into North America and Europe—regions bearing the least racial diversity—the industry’s narrative on inclusion might need an update to match its headline ambitions.

Workforce Composition and Leadership Diversity

40% of gaming employees and professionals in the esports industry identify as non-white
Only 22% of esports employees are women
60% of esports team managers believe increasing diversity can improve team performance
Only 12% of senior leadership roles in esports organizations are held by women
The percentage of Asian representation in esports players is approximately 30%, higher than other ethnic groups
The average salary for minority esports professionals is approximately 35% lower than their white counterparts
Nearly 50% of esports tournaments have no designated diversity and inclusion policies
80% of esports organizations state they are actively working toward better diversity and inclusion policies
The percentage of esports players with disabilities is approximately 5%, with increasing efforts to improve accessibility
Only 10% of esports marketing campaigns target minority or underrepresented groups explicitly
34% of esports organizations have dedicated diversity and inclusion officers or teams
61% of esports brands are interested in investing more in diversity-focused sponsorships

Workforce Composition and Leadership Diversity Interpretation

While the esports industry is making progress—boasting a 40% non-white workforce and 60% of team managers believing diversity boosts performance—the stark disparities in gender representation, leadership roles, pay gaps, and inclusive policies reveal that there's still a long game ahead to truly level the playing field behind the screen.