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Key Esport Industry Trends to Watch out for in 2021

As we’re already well into a new year of esports gaming, exciting releases, upcoming events, fresh content lurks around every corner. Big things are expected in 2021 as the sector heads for, what could potentially be, its best year yet. After the market’s exponential and highly unprecedented growth in 2020, experts are now predicting cumulative revenue to reach $1.6 billion as soon as 2023.

By now it’s clear that this unconventional form of entertainment has completely shaken up and transformed the gaming industry. As its influence continues to take form, let’s take a look at a few of the major key trends that are poised to further expand esport’s reach in the world of gaming.

Mobile Esports Will Gain Traction

Most esports fans are well aware of the high-profile tournaments that permeate the industry. In fact, these thrilling live video game competitions are some of the biggest reasons why such a giant fandom surrounding esports exist in the first place. Most of these events feature professional gamers playing popular PC titles like Dota 2 and League of Legends.

Followers watch in awe as their favorite competitors battle it out in intense matchups that often feature bigger prize pools than professional sporting leagues awards. In fact, Dota 2’s live tournament in 2018 handed out a whopping $2.24 million to the winner Miikka “Topson” Taavitsainen, one of the biggest payouts in the industry’s history. As these exciting events continue to attract fans worldwide, 2021 trends point to the possibility of more mobile esports competitions aside from just PC ones. After all, the number of mobile gamers are rising as the convenience factor is unbeatable. Other regions like Brazil and Asia are also potential markets for mobile esports growth, as popularity spreads throughout those areas as well.

Twitch currently dominates the live streaming sphere for esports fans worldwide as followers can watch tournaments here as they happen in real-time

Collegiate Level Esports Will Drive More Talent

In the same way that NBA stars begin their basketball careers playing high school and college ball, professional esports competitors also have to start somewhere. As of today, there are over 120 colleges in the U.S. that have full-fledged esports programs. Some of the best can be found at Georgia-based schools as well as throughout the Midwest.

As more universities offer these services to prospective students, more and more talent is being created that could potentially have a huge effect on the industry as a whole. Nowadays, scholarships are even being handed out based on esports performance, placing the activity at an equal playing field with other professional sports like basketball, football, or baseball.

This next year and beyond, more Universities are expected to tap into the growing trend by creating programs which cater to these exciting careers. Although it may be hard for some to imagine a student going to school for esports, the 21st century has shown us that anything is possible in the ever-evolving world in which we live.

More Traditional Sports Organisations and Players Partnering with Esports

In addition to colleges hopping aboard the esports train, other professional sporting leagues are expected to show continued interest in the industry this year. For example, the NFL has already announced they will launch a new mobile esport initiative with platform Skillz with the hopes to reach new and existing mobile gamers.

In addition, the NBA and its players have been known to show support for the esport industry. Some of their athletes current and past such as Shaquille O’ Neal, Stephen Curry, and Rich Fox have individually invested in esports gaming operations over the years and continue to do so today.

Because esports is on its way to being thought of as an official sport where its competitors will also be considered real athletes, 2021 expects more playmakers in traditional leagues to step up to the plate to show their support.