eSports

AdColony Survey Findings | Mobile Usage During eSports

Published

5 years ago

June 15, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Esports is a fast-growing industry that involves professional, competitive video gaming between individuals or team players, often in an organized league. Viewers can tune in to watch these competitions on sites like Twitch and YouTube, streaming them live or watching later. AdColony wanted to discover how users are watching esports, what they are doing while watching, and how they feel about brand advertising and sponsoring teams and during broadcasts. Discover more about esports viewers and their mobile activities from the Esports Survey, and keep scrolling to see the infographic!

According to GWI’s latest research, by 2023 there will be 646 million esports viewers globally and almost $1.8 billion in revenue generated. When users could not engage with traditional sports as much during the pandemic, esports took off as an entertainment replacement, and this new activity is here to stay. GWI also indicates that esports viewership is not just for Gen Z and Millennials, as 38% of Gen Xers also follow esports indicating that they attract users of all ages, not just the younger generations. When thinking about esports as an activity, 40% of viewers think of gaming as just as legitimate a pastime as traditional sports like football or basketball.

Highlights from the Study

Users of all genders watch esports — Esports appeals to people of all genders as respondents who said they watch esports at least once a month were split pretty evenly with 44% female and 56% male viewers.

Mobile is one of the top devices for watching esports — 31.1% of users responded that they watch esports on a Mobile Device, which is slightly above Connected TV (Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast) at 30.5%. Desktop or Laptop Computer follows those two platforms with 20% of respondents viewing esports through this channel.

Almost half of viewers agree it’s important to keep up with esports on multiple devices — 46% of users plan on watching and keeping up with esports information on more than one device. In addition, users are likely to be playing games on a mobile device while also watching esports with 26% of users responding that they play mobile games while watching esports, following browse social media (45%) and text (41%).

Viewers are more likely to play games on mobile while watching esports — 40% of respondents indicated that they are playing a game on mobile, which is up 10% from the viewers who said they would play a game on a computer while watching esports.

Brands can make a significant impact by advertising through esports — 61% of esports viewers said they would research a brand they saw featured while watching esports, and 45% of viewers believe that brands featured in esports are ahead of the curve. What’s more, 31% of viewers are likely to look up an ad that aired during esports and watch it again.

Brands that work to be featured in esports and sponsor teams can reach a valuable audience that is receptive to brand advertising and ready to connect with innovative ideas and creative content. Moreover, this audience will take the time to research brands that they felt made an impact and learn more about the brands and products that they saw while viewing esports.

Brands looking to reach an engaged audience should continue to value mobile games as a prime channel for advertising as a wide variety of users are viewing esports on mobile devices and also playing games on mobile while watching esports. Viewers are keeping up with esports across more than one device, creating even more touchpoints for brands to connect with users. Users who are playing games on a mobile device are actively engaged with their device, in a good mood, and receptive to brand messaging. Users playing mobile games are more likely to be engaged with brand messaging since they are actively interacting with their mobile device instead of passively consuming content through communication tools like text, social media, email, etc. Many consumers are watching esports, and when they are doing so, they are looking to mobile devices to watch the game, stay informed, and be entertained throughout the streaming process, so brands can leverage this space to interact with more consumers and create conversions.

Asia

Esports Foundation opens 2026 co-streaming Creator Program with $2m rewards pool

Published

3 hours ago

June 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-opens-2026-co-streaming-creator-program-with-$2m-rewards-pool

The Esports Foundation (EF) has opened applications for its 2026 Creator Program, committing $2 million (~INR 19 crore) in rewards for co-streamers supporting the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 in Paris and the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026 in Riyadh. EF announced the program on June 12, 2026, from Paris and Riyadh, and said applications are open now, including for creators across India.

EF said co-streaming was a key driver of EWC reach last year, citing 3,500 co-streamers as “one of the key growth pillars” for EWC viewership in 2025. The Foundation is positioning the 2026 Creator Program as a scaled-up initiative, targeting 5,000 creators “across new regions and platforms.”

“This isn’t just an esports trend; it’s a media trend,” said Wasae Imran, Director Broadcast & Distribution at the Esports Foundation. “Across music, video, news and sport, audiences don’t just watch what they’re given anymore. They choose their own experience: what to watch, where to focus, and how deep to go. Esports just lives further down that road than most, and traditional sport is heading the same way. It’s not about delivering a match in one format, it’s about opening up every way into the same moment and letting fans choose how they want to consume it. The Creators Program is how we build for that, by enabling the growth of creators that fans already trust to carry the world’s biggest esports event into every community.”

According to EF, approved creators can co-stream selected tournaments, complete missions, and progress a “Battle Pass” tied to rewards ranging from gift cards and hardware to platform perks and invitations to EWC and ENC. EF said the program supports multiple streaming platforms, including Twitch, YouTube, Bilibili, Huya, and CHZZK.

EF also confirmed operational details for EWC 2026: the event is set for Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from July 6 through August 23, featuring more than 2,000 players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries across 25 tournaments and 24 games, with a $75 million+ prize pool. ENC 2026 is scheduled for November in Riyadh and will extend the creator program to a nation-based competition format.

The post Esports Foundation opens 2026 co-streaming Creator Program with $2m rewards pool appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BLAST

BLAST partners with MATCH on premium fan travel for 2026-27 events

Published

20 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

blast-partners-with-match-on-premium-fan-travel-for-2026-27-events

Deal covers travel and hospitality packages across BLAST’s event slate, starting with BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals in November.

BLAST has signed a one-year partnership with MATCH to develop premium fan travel experiences and related commercial opportunities across BLAST events in 2026 and 2027, including the BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals 2026. The companies said the work will start immediately, with an initial focus on the BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals event in November.

BLAST VP of Destinations and Market Development James Woollard said: “We’re thrilled to partner with MATCH, a company with an unrivalled track record in delivering top-tier fan travel experiences at the biggest sporting events in the world. As BLAST continues to grow globally and attract growing numbers of travelling fans, this partnership represents an exciting opportunity to further elevate the live event experience for fans and audiences across esports.”

MATCH is best known for hospitality and accommodation programmes at major sports events, including four consecutive FIFA World Cups from 2010 to 2022, as well as Ryder Cup tournaments, Formula 1 Grands Prix and ATP tennis tournaments. MATCH Director of UK Events and Business Strategy Richard Parker said: “Esports is one of the most exciting growth frontiers in live entertainment, and BLAST stands out as a world-class platform with incredible potential. At MATCH, we see a tremendous opportunity to bring our expertise in creating premium fan experiences into the esports arena. We are very enthusiastic about the possibility of working together with BLAST to deliver innovative, unforgettable experiences for esports fans worldwide.”

BLAST said MATCH will also bring its network of clients, sponsors, federations, agents and media partners to support international attendance and partner activation, alongside MATCH’s technology and operational infrastructure. The announcement follows BLAST’s 2025 live events activity, where the organiser said it delivered 15 arena shows across 10 countries spanning five titles and sold 194,421 tickets.

The post BLAST partners with MATCH on premium fan travel for 2026-27 events appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Counter-strike

Team Vitality opens V.Hub fan zone for IEM Cologne Major

Published

24 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

team-vitality-opens-v.hub-fan-zone-for-iem-cologne-major

Team Vitality is launching an official fan zone, V.Hub, to coincide with the 2026 IEM Cologne Major. The venue will run June 18-21 at KWB im Stadtpalais, a short walk from the LANXESS Arena.

Access to V.Hub will be free for fans who sign up, with limited availability. Team Vitality said the space is intended to bring together its community, partners and Counter-Strike fans attending the event.

The fan zone will include dedicated areas hosted by Team Vitality and partners Skin.Club, ASUS ROG, EVNIA and Blacklyte. The club said activations will include hands-on experiences and opportunities to play bespoke Counter-Strike maps.

Team Vitality also plans match watch parties, a pop-up shop for official merchandise and giveaways, including an ASUS ROG x Team Vitality co-branded mousepad. During the playoff stage, the club said V.Hub will be set up for trophy photo opportunities with its Major trophies.

Food and drink will be available on site throughout the event, including vegetarian options.

The post Team Vitality opens V.Hub fan zone for IEM Cologne Major appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.