Introduction
Electronic sports, commonly referred to as esports, has been one of the fastest-growing ente
Introduction
Electronic sports, commonly referred to as esports, has been one of the fastest-growing entertainment industries worldwide. As compared to traditional sports, esports offer unprecedented benefits such as accessibility, inclusivity, and interactivity. The United Kingdom (UK) has not been left behind in this trajectory of esports development. The country's esports industry has gained substantial traction during the past few years, making it a hub for both regional and global electronic gaming. This article discusses the extent of the UK's esports development, including its history, growth rate, market size, and key players.
History of Esports in the UK
The first significant milestone in the UK's esports journey was the formation of the UK Electronic Sports Association (UKESPA) in 2009. UKESPA was established to promote electronic gaming and esports in the country. The association's primary aim was to bring together the UK's gaming community and provide a platform for esports players to display their skills. UKESPA was also responsible for organizing UK's Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC) qualification tournaments.
Growth Rate of the UK's Esports Industry
The UK's esports industry has witnessed impressive growth in recent years. According to Newzoo's 2020 Global Esports Market Report, the UK's esports industry is expected to generate $62.5 million in revenues in 2020, a 10.4% increase from 2019. Moreover, the report indicates that the number of new esports enthusiasts and occasional viewers in the UK increased by 8.3% and 10.4%, respectively, in 2019. This upward trend is projected to continue in the coming years as the esports industry gains more recognition as a mainstream entertainment activity.
Market Size of the UK's Esports Industry
The UK's esports industry encompasses various segments such as game publishers, esports organizations, esports teams, esports events, streaming platforms, and merchandise. The game publisher segment dominates the market, accounting for 42% of total revenues generated in the UK's esports industry in 2019. The esports event segment comes in second, contributing 17% of the industry's total revenue in the same year. Other segments such as esports organizations, esports teams, and streaming platforms have significant contributions to the industry's overall value chain. In terms of viewership, the UK has a large and diverse audience pool that has attracted significant investment from local and foreign brands.
Key Players in the UK's Esports Industry
The UK's esports industry has a burgeoning ecosystem of stakeholders contributing to its growth. These stakeholders include game publishers, esports organizations, esports teams, sponsors, advertisers, and audiences. Some of the key players in the UK's esports industry include Gfinity, Fnatic, Excel Esports, ESL UK, and Razer. Gfinity is the UK's largest esports organizer, having organized multiple events, including the Gfinity Elite Series. Fnatic and Excel Esports are two of the country's leading esports teams, having won numerous titles in various gaming competitions. ESL UK, on the other hand, is an esports tournament organizer, while Razer is a leading gaming hardware and software manufacturer.
Conclusion
The UK's esports industry has experienced significant growth over the years, thanks to the efforts of various stakeholders in the ecosystem. The country's large and diverse audience has attracted significant investments from local and foreign brands, leading to the rapid expansion of the industry. Going forward, the industry's growth trajectory seems promising, given the favourable market conditions and the growing appreciation of esports as a mainstream entertainment activity. As such, all indications show that the UK's esports industry is set to continue thriving in the coming years.