eSports

AdColony Survey Findings | Mobile Usage During eSports

Published

4 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

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

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 World Cup Foundation Announces Strategic Partnership with Tencent

Published

4 days ago

February 17, 2025

George Miller

esports-world-cup-foundation-announces-strategic-partnership-with-tencent

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Partnership to drive EWC’s expansion in China, leveraging Tencent E-sports’ networks and expertise to connect Chinese esports with EWC’s global ecosystem

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) announced a partnership with Tencent, making Tencent E-sports the EWCF’s strategic partner in China to drive the expansion of the Esports World Cup’s presence in the region. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the EWCF’s purpose to unite global esports fans under one competitive umbrella and underscores its commitment to integrating the world’s most important and rapidly growing esports market into the Esports World Cup platform. The agreement was formalized at the Empower Esports Worldwide Series – The Esports Operation and Technology Session in Shenzhen, China.

The collaboration will establish a dedicated Development Team to enhance EWC’s visibility, engagement, and industry collaboration in China, while leveraging EWC’s and Tencent E-sports’ networks and expertise to connect Chinese esports with EWC’s global ecosystem. Tencent E-sports will provide marketing expertise, strategic consulting, and operational support to deliver diverse content and experiences.

“The Esports World Cup has created a global stage for competitive gaming, demonstrating its influence not only in China but across the world,” said Mars Hou, Vice President of Tencent Games and General Manager of Tencent E-sports. “Through this partnership, we are committed to elevating EWC’s presence in China and integrating our esports industry with the world’s largest competitive gaming event. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with EWCF to push esports forward on a global scale.”

“The Esports World Cup’s purpose is to create a global platform for esports and gaming fans worldwide, and investing in key growth markets for esports is a core pillar of our mission,” said Thamer Al Shuaibi, Chief of Staff at the Esports World Cup Foundation. “China plays a critical role in this vision, and Tencent’s leadership in gaming and esports positions it as an essential partner. By combining our expertise, we will continue to strengthen esports as an industry, providing new opportunities for Chinese players and Clubs, and bringing the best of the Esports World Cup to Chinese fans.”

Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Champion. The tournament’s unique cross-game format will reward Clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool in a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best players, Clubs and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.

The post Esports World Cup Foundation Announces Strategic Partnership with Tencent appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Compliance Updates

ESIC Implemented its Anti-doping Testing Programme at IEM Katowice 2025

Published

4 days ago

February 17, 2025

Niji Narayan

esic-implemented-its-anti-doping-testing-programme-at-iem-katowice-2025

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) implemented its comprehensive anti-doping testing program at IEM Katowice 2025, organised by ESL FACEIT Group (EFG). Conducted at EFG’s request, this initiative reinforced the commitment of both organisations to maintaining the highest standards of competitive integrity in esports.

ESIC’s anti-doping procedures, carried out in accordance with the ESIC Anti-Doping Code, ensured that all participating competitors at IEM Katowice adhered to globally recognised best practices. The programme featured advanced testing protocols, thorough monitoring and rigorous enforcement measures, all designed to uphold fair competition.

“At ESIC, our mission is to protect the integrity of the esports ecosystem. By deploying our anti-doping testing at IEM Katowice 2025, we reaffirmed our dedication to supporting event organizers like EFG in hosting competitions where athletes compete responsibly and ethically,” Stephen Hanna, Chief Executive Officer of ESIC, said.

Over the past few years, ESIC has administered more than 700 anti-doping tests at major esports events, including those hosted by EFG. This extensive experience further cements ESIC’s reputation for providing industry-leading services that prioritise player welfare, competitive fairness and a culture of transparency.

“Protecting integrity is paramount for esports, which is why EFG and ESIC are constantly working together to ensure fair competition. ESIC have proven themselves to have the experience, as well as an advanced system that provides the credibility and peace of mind needed at one of our biggest and most prestigious events, IEM Katowice,” Carsten Kramer, Director of Tournament Management at EFG, said.

The post ESIC Implemented its Anti-doping Testing Programme at IEM Katowice 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

eSports

Abios partners with Kindred Group to provide full esports betting solutions

Published

1 week ago

February 13, 2025

George Miller

abios-partners-with-kindred-group-to-provide-full-esports-betting-solutions

Reading Time: 2 minutes

New partnership will see Kambi’s Esports division deliver its full suite of esports products, including odds via Kambi’s Odds Feed+ API, to Kindred’s in-house sportsbook

Abios, a leading esports data and odds provider and part of Kambi Group, is pleased to announce a multi-year partnership with Kindred Group, one of the world’s leading online betting and gaming operators, to provide its full range of best-in-class esports betting solutions.

Abios will supply its complete esports package, including odds, data, widgets and always-on content, to Kindred’s Unibet and 32Red brands, providing the operator’s in-house sportsbook with unrivalled esports betting experiences.

Leveraging Kambi’s Odds Feed+ API, Abios will deliver its high-uptime odds feed which includes comprehensive esoccer and ebasketball coverage, as well as leading esports titles such as Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, Dota 2 and VALORANT. Utilising automated modelling, Abios’ low latency odds feed utilises official tournament data to power leading features such as bet builder and player props.

The new agreement is in addition to the Esports odds service Abios currently provides to Kindred as part of Kambi’s Turnkey Sportsbook service.

Anton Janér, Managing Director and Co-founder of Abios, said: “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Unibet and the wider Kindred Group, a leader in the global sports betting and gaming market. This agreement showcases the value of Abios’ full esports odds packages and our ability to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of operators and enables them to reach new audiences through the growth of esports.”

Ben Colley, Sportsbook Director of Kindred Group, added: “Esports continues to grow in popularity, and it’s essential that we offer our customers the best possible experience in this exciting category. Extending our partnership with Abios via Kambi’s Odds Feed+ API and leveraging their deep expertise and esports odds solutions ensures we remain at the forefront of esports betting, delivering unparalleled products and services to our players.”

The post Abios partners with Kindred Group to provide full esports betting solutions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.