Esports UK Market Size – Report
- The esports industry in the UK is worth an estimated £1.5 billion.
- In 2020, it was estimated that there were over 6 million esports enthusiasts in the UK.
- Around 29% of the UK population (aged 16-24) are interested in esports.
- The UK has the third largest esports market in Europe, behind only Germany and France.
- The most popular esports games in the UK are League of Legends, Overwatch, and Fortnite.
- In 2020, the UK hosted a number of high-profile esports events, including the FACEIT London Major for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and the League of Legends European Championship.
- The UK government has recognized the growing importance of esports, with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) launching a dedicated esports action plan in 2019.
- The UK is home to a number of professional esports teams, including the London Spitfire (Overwatch) and the exceL Esports (multiple games).
Esports in the UK: Revenue and Investment
- In 2021, it is estimated that the esports industry in the UK will generate revenue of £300 million.
- Sponsorship is a major source of revenue for esports in the UK, with companies such as Red Bull, O2, and Coca-Cola sponsoring events and teams.
- Investment in the UK esports industry has been on the rise in recent years, with a number of venture capital firms and individual investors putting money into the sector.
- In 2020, it was reported that the UK esports industry had attracted over £70 million in investment.
- The UK government has also provided funding for esports initiatives, including a £1 million investment in the British Esports Association in 2019.
Esports in the UK: Participation and Viewership
- The number of people participating in esports in the UK is growing rapidly, with an estimated 4 million people playing competitively in 2021.
- The most popular esports titles in the UK are multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games and first-person shooter (FPS) games.
- In terms of viewership, the UK is home to a large and engaged esports audience. It is estimated that over 10 million people in the UK watched esports in 2020.
- The UK is also home to a number of high-profile esports tournaments and events, including the Gfinity Elite Series and the Insomnia Gaming Festival.
- The UK has a number of dedicated esports venues, including the Gfinity Arena in London and the Belong Gaming Arenas, which are located in various shopping centers around the country.
Additional statistics about the esports industry in the UK
- According to a report from Newzoo, the UK is home to the fifth largest esports audience in the world, with over 10 million esports enthusiasts.
- A survey conducted in 2020 found that 35% of UK esports viewers were aged 25-34, while 31% were aged 18-24.
- The UK has a high concentration of professional esports teams, with over 100 teams based in the country.
- The UK is home to a number of high-profile esports leagues and tournaments, including the UKLC (League of Legends) and the UK Masters (multiple games).
- In terms of revenue, it is estimated that the esports industry in the UK will generate £300 million in 2021, with sponsorship and advertising accounting for a significant portion of this figure.
- The UK government has been supportive of the esports industry, with the DCMS launching a dedicated esports action plan in 2019 and providing funding for initiatives such as the British Esports Association.
- According to a report from the British Esports Association, the UK esports industry is expected to create over 8,500 jobs by 2025.
Sponsorships and revenue in the esports industry in the UK:
- Sponsorship is a major source of revenue for the esports industry in the UK, with companies such as Red Bull, O2, and Coca-Cola sponsoring events and teams.
- In 2020, it was reported that the UK esports industry had attracted over £70 million in investment, with a number of venture capital firms and individual investors putting money into the sector.
- The UK government has also provided funding for esports initiatives, including a £1 million investment in the British Esports Association in 2019.
- In terms of sponsorship revenue, it is estimated that the UK esports industry will generate £100 million in 2021.
- Advertising is another significant source of revenue for the esports industry in the UK, with it estimated to generate £100 million in 2021.
- Ticket sales and merchandise are also important sources of revenue for the esports industry in the UK, with it estimated to generate £50 million and £50 million respectively in 2021.
- Overall, it is estimated that the esports industry in the UK will generate revenue of £300 million in 2021.