GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Statistics About The Most Popular Esports

Highlights: Most Popular Esports Statistics

  • As of 2021, League of Legends (LoL) is the most popular Esport game, with over 115 million players worldwide.
  • Every year, esports fans watch more than 6 billion hours of content.
  • As of August 2021, the total esports audience amounted to 474 million.
  • 57% of global esports viewers are located in Asia, making it the region with the most esports enthusiasts.
  • Dota 2 has the highest cumulative tournament prize pool in esports, totaling over 228 million USD.
  • The 2019 League of Legends World Championship final had nearly 4 million concurrent viewers.
  • As of 2021, Fortnite ranks third among esports games, with a prize pool of over 100 million USD.
  • The Esports industry will grow to 1.8 billion USD by 2022.
  • In 2020, 495 million people worldwide watched esports.
  • The total prize money awarded in esports tournaments in 2020 was roughly $221 million USD.
  • In 2019, South Korea had the highest market share in the esports industry, with 57%.
  • As of 2020, 40% of the global esports audience was female.
  • The 2020 China's Honor of Kings World championship had the highest peak viewership with around 132 million viewers.
  • YouTube recorded 2.1 billion hours of watched esports content in 2020.
  • As of 2021, PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds) accounted for a share of 3.7% of all esport hours watched on Twitch.

Our Newsletter

The Business Week In Data

Sign up for our newsletter and become the navigator of tomorrow's trends. Equip your strategy with unparalleled insights!

Table of Contents

In recent years, esports has taken the world by storm, captivating millions of fans around the globe. With its rise in popularity, the demand for statistics in the esports industry has also grown exponentially. From game-winning plays and player performance metrics to pick rates and win percentages, statistics provide invaluable insights into the ever-evolving world of competitive gaming. In this blog post, we will dive into the realm of esports statistics and explore some of the most popular and influential metrics that shape the landscape of professional gaming. Whether you are a casual fan or an esports enthusiast, understanding these statistics will allow you to appreciate the depth and complexity that lies within this exciting phenomenon. So, let’s embark on this statistical journey and discover the numbers that define the world of esports.

The Latest Most Popular Esports Statistics Explained

As of 2021, League of Legends (LoL) is the most popular Esport game, with over 115 million players worldwide.

The statistic states that as of 2021, League of Legends (LoL) has emerged as the most popular Esport game around the globe, boasting a staggering player base of over 115 million individuals. This signifies that LoL has garnered immense popularity and enjoys a massive following within the Esports community. This statistic indicates that LoL has successfully captivated a significant number of players who actively engage with the game, establishing its dominance and prominence within the Esport gaming industry.

Every year, esports fans watch more than 6 billion hours of content.

The statistic states that annually, esports enthusiasts collectively spend over 6 billion hours consuming esports content. This figure reflects the substantial amount of time dedicated to watching professional video game competitions and related content. Esports, or electronic sports, has gained significant popularity across various platforms, including specialized streaming services, social media, and live events. The statistic highlights the sheer magnitude of viewership within the esports community, demonstrating the strong engagement and passion of its fans.

As of August 2021, the total esports audience amounted to 474 million.

The statistic “As of August 2021, the total esports audience amounted to 474 million” indicates that during the specified time frame, there were approximately 474 million individuals who regularly engaged with or had an interest in esports. This statistic encompasses various forms of engagement, including watching esports competitions, attending live events, participating in online gaming communities, and consuming esports content through media platforms. The number serves as a measurement of the size and reach of the esports industry, highlighting its significant and growing popularity worldwide.

57% of global esports viewers are located in Asia, making it the region with the most esports enthusiasts.

The statistic states that Asia is home to the largest number of esports viewers globally, accounting for 57% of the total. This means that a significant majority of people who actively watch esports competitions and engage in related activities are located in Asian countries. It showcases the region’s strong presence and influence in the esports industry, as well as highlighting the popularity and enthusiasm surrounding competitive gaming in Asia.

Dota 2 has the highest cumulative tournament prize pool in esports, totaling over 228 million USD.

The statistic “Dota 2 has the highest cumulative tournament prize pool in esports, totaling over 228 million USD” means that Dota 2, which is a popular online video game, has contributed the largest amount of money towards tournament winnings in the esports industry. This cumulative prize pool, which has reached an impressive sum of over 228 million USD, represents the total amount of money that has been awarded to players and teams participating in Dota 2 tournaments over the years. This statistic highlights the significant financial support and investment in the Dota 2 competitive scene, indicating its popularity and success within the esports community.

The 2019 League of Legends World Championship final had nearly 4 million concurrent viewers.

The statistic “The 2019 League of Legends World Championship final had nearly 4 million concurrent viewers” indicates that during the final match of the League of Legends World Championship in 2019, there were approximately 4 million people who watched the event at the same time. This implies a significant level of interest and engagement, reflecting the popularity and global reach of the competition. Such a high number of concurrent viewers suggests a large global fan base and highlights the growing importance of esports in the entertainment industry.

As of 2021, Fortnite ranks third among esports games, with a prize pool of over 100 million USD.

The statistic states that as of 2021, Fortnite has secured the third position among esports games in terms of popularity and competitive play. This indicates that among all the professional video games being played competitively, Fortnite has achieved significant recognition and player engagement. Additionally, the mention of a prize pool exceeding 100 million USD highlights the game’s emergence as a major esports title, indicating the substantial financial incentives provided to participants. Overall, the statistic demonstrates Fortnite’s successful positioning within the esports industry.

The Esports industry will grow to 1.8 billion USD by 2022.

The statistic indicates that the Esports industry, which refers to competitive video gaming, is projected to experience significant growth and reach a value of 1.8 billion US dollars by the year 2022. This implies that the industry is expected to expand both in terms of revenue generation and overall market size. The growth in the Esports industry can be attributed to factors such as increasing popularity and engagement from fans, rising investments from sponsors and advertisers, and the establishment of professional leagues and tournaments. By 2022, the industry is anticipated to demonstrate its potential as a lucrative market with diverse opportunities for businesses and individuals involved in the Esports ecosystem.

In 2020, 495 million people worldwide watched esports.

The statistic “In 2020, 495 million people worldwide watched esports” indicates that within that particular year, approximately 495 million individuals globally engaged in viewing competitive video gaming. Esports refers to organized multiplayer video game competitions, typically involving professional players and teams competing against each other in various video game genres. This statistic evidences the immense popularity of esports as a form of entertainment and spectator sport, showing a substantial global audience captivated by these competitions throughout 2020.

The total prize money awarded in esports tournaments in 2020 was roughly $221 million USD.

The statistic “The total prize money awarded in esports tournaments in 2020 was roughly $221 million USD” indicates the combined amount of money given out as prizes in competitive video gaming events throughout the year 2020. This includes various esports competitions across different games and regions. The figure of $221 million USD represents the sum of all cash rewards distributed to the winners and top-performing players or teams in these tournaments, highlighting the significant financial aspect and growth of the esports industry.

In 2019, South Korea had the highest market share in the esports industry, with 57%.

The statistic reveals that in the year 2019, South Korea held the largest proportion of the market in the esports industry. The term “market share” indicates the portion or percentage of the total market that a country or entity controls. In this case, South Korea accounted for approximately 57% of the entire esports industry in 2019. This suggests that South Korea was the dominant player in terms of revenue, audience, and overall performance within the esports sector during that period.

As of 2020, 40% of the global esports audience was female.

The statistic “As of 2020, 40% of the global esports audience was female” indicates that, out of the total audience engaging with esports worldwide, approximately 40% were women. This means that women constituted a significant portion of the viewership in the esports industry. It also suggests that esports, which generally has been perceived as a predominantly male-dominated space, has seen increasing interest and participation from women in recent years. This statistic highlights the growing inclusivity and diversity within the esports community.

The 2020 China’s Honor of Kings World championship had the highest peak viewership with around 132 million viewers.

The statistic indicates that the 2020 China’s Honor of Kings World championship achieved the highest peak viewership among all previous championships, with approximately 132 million viewers tuning in. This suggests that the event garnered a significant level of interest and popularity, likely driven by the competitive nature of the championship and the growing popularity of Honor of Kings as an esports game in China. The high viewership numbers reflect the substantial engagement of the audience, showcasing the event’s widespread appeal and its ability to captivate a large viewership base.

YouTube recorded 2.1 billion hours of watched esports content in 2020.

The statistic states that in the year 2020, YouTube documented a total of 2.1 billion hours of esports content being watched by its users. This implies that esports, competitive video gaming, gained immense popularity and generated a significant amount of viewer engagement on the YouTube platform. The figure highlights the growing interest in and consumption of esports content, demonstrating its increasing significance as a form of entertainment and cultural phenomenon.

As of 2021, PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds) accounted for a share of 3.7% of all esport hours watched on Twitch.

The statistic “As of 2021, PUBG accounted for a share of 3.7% of all esport hours watched on Twitch” means that out of all the hours viewers spent watching esports on the popular streaming platform Twitch, 3.7% of those hours were dedicated to watching the game PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds). This indicates that PUBG is one of the many esports games that have gained a significant viewership on Twitch, but it is not the most dominant game in terms of hours watched.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the world of esports continues to captivate audiences and grow at an astonishing rate. The statistics discussed in this blog post highlight the popularity and impact of esports on a global scale. From the ever-increasing prize pools to the massive viewership numbers, it is clear that esports has firmly established itself as a major player in the entertainment industry.

Moreover, the growth of esports has not only created countless opportunities for professional players, but it has also opened doors for aspiring individuals looking to work in this rapidly evolving field. The demand for skilled statisticians and data analysts is on the rise as organizations seek to gain a competitive edge and make informed decisions.

It is also important to note that while these numbers are impressive, they represent just a fraction of what esports has to offer. The industry is constantly evolving, with new games, teams, and tournaments emerging regularly. As such, it is crucial for fans, players, and industry insiders to stay informed and continue to monitor these statistics to gain a comprehensive understanding of the ever-changing esports landscape.

Overall, the popularity of esports is undeniable, and the statistics presented here provide just a glimpse into the immense scale and potential of this rapidly growing industry. Whether you are a fan, a player, or an industry professional, it is an exciting time to be a part of the esports community, and the future looks brighter than ever.

References

0. – https://www.www.emarketer.com

1. – https://www.www.limelight.com

2. – https://www.dotesports.com

3. – https://www.www.pwc.com

4. – https://www.www.businessinsider.com

5. – https://www.www.gamasutra.com

6. – https://www.www.statista.com

7. – https://www.www.esportsearnings.com

8. – https://www.www.businesskorea.co.kr

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

Table of Contents

... Before You Leave, Catch This! 🔥

Your next business insight is just a subscription away. Our newsletter The Week in Data delivers the freshest statistics and trends directly to you. Stay informed, stay ahead—subscribe now.

Sign up for our newsletter and become the navigator of tomorrow's trends. Equip your strategy with unparalleled insights!