The Steady Rise of eSports in 2024: Where Are We Headed?

Esports, once thought of as "just some kids playing games," is now a multibillion-dollar industry. Yes, those very same kids are now making millions while we struggle to figure out how to close 37 tabs on our browsers. But let’s not get too existential about it. The esports industry in 2024 has matured into something truly spectacular, with sustainable growth, insane technological advancements, and fanbases that make some traditional sports look like a small family reunion.

Esports Viewership: More Eyes on the Prize

First, let’s talk about viewership. If you’ve ever felt a twinge of guilt for binge-watching someone else play video games, you can relax. You’re far from alone. By 2024, esports viewership has climbed to over 519 million people globally.

That’s more people than you’d find trying to find a decent parking spot at a music festival. While the pandemic gave esports an initial boost when traditional sports hit pause, this new, steadily growing audience isn’t going anywhere.

Most of these viewers come from the Asia-Pacific region, where esports is a bigger deal than figuring out how to win a League of Legends match (good luck with that). A staggering 57% of the global esports audience hails from this area.

For the rest of us in North America and Europe, we’re playing catch-up with roughly 12% and 16% of the global market, respectively. Still, that's a massive chunk of people who would rather watch a Call of Duty final than a football one (hey, no judgment).

Audiences such as the 2019 League of Legends World Chapionships (pictured) were not thought to be sustainable…

Co-Streaming and AI: Welcome to the Future

If you thought watching esports was just a passive experience, think again. In 2024, co-streaming is where it’s at. Imagine watching your favorite esports event while your favorite streamer adds their hilarious commentary, or maybe just rages at the same frustrating moments as you do. Co-streaming allows exactly that, giving fans a more personalized experience.

Want to hear someone crack jokes during a tense Valorant match? There’s a streamer for that.

Streamers such as Caedrel (pictured) ,a former League of Legends player, turned caster, turned co-streamer for gaming giants Fnatic, are becoming a mainstay as viewers clamour to watch their favourite streams alongside some of their favourite online personalities.

Then there’s AI—doing more than just helping gamers with auto-clipping their greatest moments (finally, a robot that knows when to stop clipping me walking into walls). As AI becomes more advanced and cheaper, expect to see even more esports content get polished to a fine shine

Money Talks: The Sponsorship Boom

Now, if you think esports is just fun and games, take a peek at the dollars. Major brands are all-in, tossing sponsorships like confetti at a gamer’s parade. And for good reason—esports fans spend about 84% more on gaming than your average gamer. So if you're wondering why every team has a logo plastered all over their jerseys, that’s your answer.

But here’s the kicker: esports doesn’t just rake in cash from sponsorships. Organizers and teams are looking at other ways to make money without just slapping ads on everything. They’re experimenting with things like augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI)—because nothing says futuristic like having a holographic ad pop up next to a virtual tank.

Diversity and Inclusion: Not Just a Token Gesture

Esports has also made big strides in diversity. 2024 sees more initiatives than ever to include marginalized groups—whether it’s creating women’s leagues or safe spaces for non-binary players. Publishers and organizers are realizing that tapping into diverse audiences doesn’t just make esports more inclusive, it also brings in untapped viewership

This is a win-win. More people feel included in the space, and the industry continues to grow with new fans who might not have felt represented before. Esports has learned what Hollywood is still figuring out—diversity is good for business.

What’s Next?

So, where does esports go from here? Expect continued, steady growth. No more skyrocketing 20% annual increases like we saw during the pandemic, but that’s a good thing. The industry needs to build long-term sustainability instead of chasing unsustainable growth

More hybrid and remote productions are also on the rise, so we might see fewer massive in-person tournaments and more efficient, cloud-based productions.

Esports teams and organizations are also working on locking in better financial models, focusing on profitability rather than just making flashy moves for short-term gains. That’s right—esports is growing up and getting responsible (well, financially at least).

In Conclusion: Game On, But Smarter

Esports in 2024 is shaping up to be smarter, more inclusive, and still growing steadily. The days of it being the "Wild West" of gaming are over, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less exciting. Whether you're here for the co-streaming fun, the insane sponsorships, or just to see your favorite marginalized communities get their deserved spotlight, there’s something for everyone in the world of competitive gaming.

And hey, if you’ve got some AI auto-clipping your best moments while you sit back and co-stream your favorite tournament, well, that’s just the icing on the cake. Or, in esports terms, the bonus XP on the final boss fight.