Connect with us
European Gaming Congress 2024

eSports

Esports Exposure Exploding During COVID-19 Outbreak

Published

on

Reading Time: 4 minutes

 

Esports was already a booming business coming into 2020. Last year, Esports topped $1 billion in revenue for the first time. That was a 26.7% increase from 2018.

A sure sign of the growth in the popularity of Esports is shown by the fact that its highest-grossing revenue stream in 2019 was in the area of sponsorship. According to a published report, there was nearly $457 million generated in sponsor money by Esports last year.

Esports leagues and tournaments are drawing huge audience numbers. Estimates were that almost 454 million took in an Esport event last year. Those are the kinds of numbers that encourage major corporate sponsorship of the events.

Advertisement
Stake.com

COVID-19 Impact

The outbreak of the coronavirus has led to another spike in popularity among Esports. In North America, the NHL, NBA and MLB halted their seasons. The NCAA men’s basketball tournament was canceled. Golf and tennis also stopped playing. The launch of NFL and NCAA football seasons in the fall remain uncertain.

Around the globe, almost of the world soccer shut down. The European Champions League and the English Premier League took a hiatus. Euro 2020 and the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics were postponed.

With all of the major sporting leagues forced to shut down due to the COVID-19 virus and the accompanying bans on large gatherings, there’s little in the way of sports to entertain the masses. Sports fans were left desperate for an outlet. Sports networks sought out programming. Sportsbooks looking for other forms of betting turned their attention to writing more wagers around Esports events.

Esports are stepping up and proving capable of filling the void. While not completely bereft from feeling the impact of COVID-19 – the large tournament events held in halls filled with spectators watching video game team competitions such as Counter Strike: Global Offensive, Call of Duty and Dota 2 are currently not permitted.

Advertisement
Stake.com

The Overwatch League is playing its entire 2020 season online. Play! Pokémon canceled its North American International Championship and World Championship.

However, the ability of Esports to adapt and be played by players under quarantine is giving them a leg up on actual sports.

Industry estimates are that the demand for Esports has increased by 300% since the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Big League Sports Entering The Fray

Virtual sports are also a big part of the Esports explosion. Competition in soccer, basketball, tennis, horse and greyhound racing are among the many virtual sports on offer.

Advertisement
Stake.com

There are events built around tournaments in such popular sports-themed video games as Madden NFL, NBA 2K20, FIFA, and NHL 20.

The major sports leagues already recognized the potential for virtual spots as a revenue growth stream. Both the NBA and NHL began holding tryouts to pick players to form virtual versions of their actual teams that would eventually compete in simulated leagues.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, the big leagues are looking to get in on the Esports explosion and keep their sports going at the same time.

NASCAR has been holding the eNASCAR Pro Invitational iRacing Series, where actual NASCAR drivers compete in races as their virtual selves. The simulations are carried live by Fox Sports and are proving to be a big hit with racing fans.

NascarPro Invitational iRacing Series (Photo by: YouTube.com screenshot).

Advertisement
Stake.com

The Nielsen ratings for the first event of the iRacing Series came in at an average of 638,000 households and 903,000 viewers, making it the most-watched Esports event of all-time.

By comparison, live NASCAR racing during the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series averaged 2.1 million viewers per race. NASCAR’s iRacing ratings are almost on par with the 2019 numbers for viewers of their second-tier racing competition, the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Those races averaged 725,000 homes and 948,000 viewers.

Formula One is also contesting virtual Grand Prix races, with its drivers racing as their virtual selves. Australian SuperCars competition is doing likewise.

Other sports also are holding Esports competitions to give their fans a regular fix during the coronavirus quarantine. The NFL organized a Madden tournament featuring eight current NFL players. The NBA put together an NBA 2K20 tournament with 16 current players in action.

The most ambitious of these virtual sports simulations is currently being undertaken by Major League Baseball. An MLB The Show competition is pitting 30 of today’s MLB players, each representing their own team.

Advertisement
Stake.com

They are playing a 29-game regular season, facing each other player once. The top eight players will qualify for postseason play, which will lead to a virtual World Series champion being crowned.

Other sports have opted to take their Esports competitions in an entirely different direction. With the Australian National Rugby League season on hold, instead of their slated match, members of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Wests Tigers competed in a game of Fortnite that was live-streamed on both team’s Facebook pages.

Esports Future Bright

During the 2004-05 lockout that wiped out the entire NHL season, poker utilized that opportunity to fill the broadcasting void left by no hockey and became a television staple.

COVID-19 has created a similar opportunity for Esports to grow exponentially and gain a foothold with a mainstream sports audience that might not have given it a second thought otherwise.

Advertisement
Stake.com

Esports was growing rapidly regardless. As one of the few sports still currently playing, its already bright future is blossoming with significantly more glow.

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement

eSports

Abios Welcomes Rasmus Schmidt Christensen as New Head of Odds Operations

Published

on

abios-welcomes-rasmus-schmidt-christensen-as-new-head-of-odds-operations
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Abios, a global leader in esports data and odds provision, has appointed Rasmus Schmidt Christensen, formerly of Danish operator Danske Spil, as the company’s new Head of Odds Operations.

With a background in betting analytics, Schmidt Christensen is a seasoned industry veteran with a wealth of experience in esports and sports betting, spending nearly eight years improving the esports vertical at Danske Spil. Beginning his industry journey as a sports trader at the Danish betting operator, Schmidt Christensen gradually assumed more responsibility over the esports segment, ultimately taking charge of the vertical as an Esports Product Specialist.

The role allowed him to work closely with product, marketing and customer-focused teams, creating a comprehensive esports strategy for the operator. He used customer feedback to ensure the product met customer demands and ensured Danske Spil offered innovative product features early on, including player propositions.

Advertisement
Stake.com

As Head of Odds Operations, a newly created role at Abios, Schmidt Christensen will strengthen the Abios team by providing expertise in esports from Denmark, which has long been the home of Counter-Strike. Combining his knowledge of what esports fans want and product development, he will act as a bridge between trading and Abios’ automated odds setting, creating the ultimate end product for end users.

Anton Janér, Managing Director of Abios, said: “Esports is a fast-growing segment within online sports betting. For sportsbooks to stay competitive in the area, working with people who truly understand esports is paramount.

“At Abios, we’ve historically been in the fortunate position to attract people with strong esports expertise. Rasmus is no different, having spent significant time at Danske Spil improving their esports vertical. We’re thrilled to have him on board and look forward to seeing him taking our offering to the next level.”

Rasmus Schmidt Christensen, Head of Odds Operations, said: “Having worked in esports for years, I’m thrilled to join the Abios team. As they’re building new and exciting products on top of best-in-class data and modelling, Abios is at a very exciting growth stage. I’m happy to be part of the next step in that journey.”

The post Abios Welcomes Rasmus Schmidt Christensen as New Head of Odds Operations appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Advertisement
Stake.com
Continue Reading

eSports

Pepsi To Energize Esports World Cup In New Partnership

Published

on

pepsi-to-energize-esports-world-cup-in-new-partnership
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

The Esports World Cup Foundation (“EWCF”) is pleased to announce it has joined forces with Pepsi for a strategic partnership which will see both parties collaborate to level up experiences for fans at the inaugural Esports World Cup (“EWC”) this summer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As a strategic founding partner committing to a multi-year deal, Pepsi will further build on its commitment to helping unite the realms of sports, entertainment, and esports.

Centered around co-creating unmissable moments, Pepsi and the EWCF will work together to provide fans with exciting activations to elevate the esports landscape in Saudi Arabia and cement the Esports World Cup as a truly memorable event. Fans can expect interactive and immersive experiences such as the Rockstar Bar, where they can get energized with a selection of drinks and spend time in between matches in the karaoke box. In addition, Pepsi is the naming partner of the Falcons venue, called “Falcons HQ by Pepsi”.

“We are proud to partner with such an iconic brand in Pepsi to energize fans for a memorable summer at the Esports World Cup,” said Pepsi Representative “Fans are truly what bring esports events to life, and it’s great to work alongside Pepsi who shares in our vision and commitment to elevating their experiences. ”

Advertisement
Stake.com

Beginning July 3, the Esports World Cup will transform Riyadh into the epicenter of esports fandom and gaming culture. Located in Boulevard City, fans can watch their favorite athletes and clubs compete across 22 game championships for a share of more than $60 million in life-changing prize money — the largest prize pool in esports history. Across eight weeks, the Esports World Cup will also feature festival activities that include numerous gaming activations, community tournaments, pop culture celebrations, international experiences, and more.

The post Pepsi To Energize Esports World Cup In New Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Asia

Gen.G Announces Partnership with LG U+

Published

on

gen.g-announces-partnership-with-lg-u+
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Global esports organisation Gen.G Esports has announced a partnership with LG U+. The partnership comes on the heels of the two companies’ first collaboration to celebrate the 2023 LoL World Championship. The two companies will work closely together to strengthen fandom and innovate the customer experience. As part of the partnership, Gen.G Esports’ League of Legends pro team will feature the LG U+’s logo on their jerseys during the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) Summer season.

“We’re thrilled to be able to renew our partnership with LG U+ in such an innovative way. By leveraging all the data we’ve collected across our pro players and the thousands of students at the Gen.G Global Academy, we’re able to offer an even superior customer experience through our YOUR.GG data analytics platform to the millions of gamers that are customers of LG U+,” Arnold Hur, CEO of Gen.G Esports, said.

Through this partnership, the two companies will provide LG U+’s Uth members with a variety of members-only benefits, including a monthly subscription to Gen.G Crew and YOUR.GG player reports, to enrich their gaming experience.

Advertisement
Stake.com

Fans will be able to interact directly with the League of Legends players who have led the teams to victory through the Gen.G Crew b.stage platform, as well as receive purchase tickets to fan zones at domestic fan meets and matches. Champion play analyses and player reports based on comparative data will also be provided through YOUR.GG, League of Legends data analytics service.

The post Gen.G Announces Partnership with LG U+ appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending