eSports
The Global Esports Market is expected to reach a value of USD 2.8 Billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 14.50% (2022-2028) – SkyQuest Technology
Esports refers to electronic sports, where digital mediums are used among competitors and audiences like PC, tablets, or mobile. Esports are available in the form of video games, which are played in relaxation time as well as professionally by many traditional sportspeople. There are large number of players in the gaming industry, which is larger than the combined viewers and participants in the music and entertainment sectors, and this base is constantly rising globally. The increased demand for video games such as PUBG, Counter-Strike Global Offensive, Call of Duty, and others is expected to enhance the global Esports market revenue.
The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has definitely impacted the growth of the global Esports market. The burden of lockdown and social distancing rules has compelled people to engage with one another through digital as well as virtual platforms. Digital transformation in the online gaming/sports sector has contributed to the demand of Esports market. Though, the deployment of Esports was slightly affected by the restricted supply of supplementary tools like gaming setup and console sensors and screens. But, with the relaxations in the lockdown norms and regulations, the growth of the global Esports market is expected to surge exponentially in the coming years.
The future of the global Esports industry will likely be fuelled by mobile phones, which will further reduce obstacles to entry and allow even more gamers and fans to get in. The mobile gaming segment is set to make more than 40% of the total global Esports market in 2021. That popularity is now spilling over into some competitive areas, as China has a flourishing mobile Esports market.
Read market research report, “Global Esports Market is segmented By Device Type (Smart Phone, Smart TV, Desktop-Laptop-Tablets, Gaming Console), By Revenue Model (Sponsorship, Advertising, Merchandise & Tickets, Publisher Fees, Media Rights), By Type (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (Moba), First-person Shooter (Fps), Real-time Strategy (RTS), Other), By Streaming Platform (Twitch, YouTube, Others), By Audience (Tournament Organizers, Alliances, Game Publishers, Sponsors, Esports Investors, Research Institutes And Organizations, Analysts And Strategic Business Planners, Market Research and Consulting Firms) & By Region- Forecast and Analysis 2022-2028” by SkyQuest
With the increasing viewership on online platforms such as Twitch and YouTube. Digital advertising is expected to produce extra revenue during the forecast period. This investment in Esports facility development is expected to make it the Esports capital of the world. Furthermore, Hangzhou is to host Asian Games in 2022, where Esports is likely to be an official award event. With its huge investments, China is expected to grab a significant market share in global esports market. Tencent Holdings Limited is an important player in the Esports industry in China and played an important role in the growth of Esports in China by developing games like Honor of Kings. It is planning for expanding tournaments for hugely popular games like League of Legends and Honor of Kings in China which is going to attract worldwide players and viewers.
As a result of the domain’s technological nascence, no company currently wields significant influence, and the race to dominance has already begun, with companies investing in multiple Esports projects, acquiring a few on their way to the finish line in the domain. Key players in the global Esports market include Modern Times Group (Sweden), Activision Blizzard (US), Valve Corporation (US), Electronic Arts (US), Nintendo (Japan), Wargaming Public (Cyprus), Turner Broadcasting System (US), Faceit (UK), Hi Rez Studios (Georgia), Rovio Entertainment (Finland), Gungho Online Entertainment (Japan), Alisports (Switzerland), and Gfinity (UK).
The report published by SkyQuest Technology Consulting provides in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about Esports market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions.
Yurikov is a Peruvian-American competitor with over a decade of experience in the global fighting game circuit. Competing professionally since 2012, he first rose to prominence in titles like The King of Fighters and Guilty Gear Strive, and has since made a successful transition into Fatal Fury, carrying with him a legacy of consistency, adaptability, and competitive drive.
He has played over 400 matches and his tournament victories span multiple fighting games, including Summer Jam 2023, South Louisiana Major 2023, and Heat Wave 2022 – Northeast Championship 22. Now under the S8UL banner, Yurikov will represent India’s top esports organisation at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, as well as other international fighting game tournaments throughout the year.
“From solo queues to the big leagues. Joining S8UL is a whole new chapter. I’ve always moved with purpose- now it’s time to do it with a team that shares the vision. Let’s make history,” stated Marcoantonio “Yurikov” Malpica.
S8UL’s move into Fatal Fury follows a series of high-impact signings across multiple titles including Apex Legends, Call of Duty (COD) Warzone, Chess, EAFC25, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), Starcraft II and Tekken 8. While S8UL is already known for dominating the mobile esports and content space, this entry into Fatal Fury represents yet another step in its ambition to build a truly global, multi-genre esports legacy.
“Esports is evolving rapidly, and staying ahead means not just following trends, but setting them. At S8UL, we’ve always believed in backing talent that can lead across eras, not just tournaments.” said Animesh Agarwal, aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL. “Been watching Yurikov cook for a while — always knew he was built different. Welcome to the family, hermano.”
EWC 2025 will witness 16 of the world’s best Fatal Fury players battle it out for a share of the massive $1 million (approx. INR 8.5 crore) prize pool from July 10 to 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With this announcement, S8UL has now unveiled rosters across all eight titles that they will be competing in at EWC 2025. The lineups are as follows:
Apex Legends: Rick Wirth (Sharky), Benjamin Spaseski (Jesko) and Tom Canty (Legacy)
Call of Duty: Warzone: Colin Bowers-Wilson (Trikempathy), Braxton Trice (Braxtvn), and Ryder Skarzinski (Ryda)
Chess: Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram
Fatal Fury: Marcoantonio Malpica (Yurikov)
Mobile Legends Bang Bang: Michael Cosgun (MobaZane), Ian Hohl (FwydChickn), Jang Seong-hun (Hoon), Ziameth-Jei Caluya (ZIA), Vo Trung (Shark), and Carlos Ortega Vega (Bestplayer1)
Starcraft II: Pyung Jae Koh (GuMiho)
Tekken 8: Arja Gamoori (Sephiblack) and Nino Schwarz (Nino)
The post S8UL steps into the Fatal Fury arena with the signing of fighting games veteran Yurikov appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Aquisitions/Mergers
S8UL acquires North America’s leading Mobile Legends: Bang Bang roster ahead of Esports World Cup 2025
S8UL Esports, a global powerhouse in esports and gaming content, has officially acquired the renowned North American Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) team formerly known as BloodThirstyKings (BTK). With this move, S8UL makes a historic entry into the MLBB competitive circuit, becoming the first Indian organisation to sign a top-tier international MLBB roster ahead of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 and other major tournaments.
The roster joining S8UL comprises:
– Michael “MobaZane” Cosgun
– Ian “FwydChickn” Hohl
– Jang “Hoon” Seong-hun
– Ziameth-Jei “ZIA” Caluya
– Vo “Shark” Trung
– Carlos “Bestplayer1” Ortega Vega
Founded in 2020, BTK rose to international prominence after their third-place finish at the MLBB M3 World Championship, where they notably defeated the Filipino powerhouse Blacklist International, taking home $80,000 (INR 68.4 lakh). Since then, the team has been a consistent force in North America’s MLBB ecosystem, with multiple regional championship wins and strong global performances to their name.
The roster officially qualified for the MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC) at the upcoming EWC 2025 following a dominant run in the recently concluded North America Challenger Tournament (NACT) Spring Season, where they defeated Area 77 in the Grand Finals with a 4-2 scoreline.
With players who have competed across multiple MLBB world championships, S8UL’s newest roster brings immense experience and proven ability to perform under pressure. This acquisition marks a milestone moment for Indian esports, positioning S8UL at the forefront of global competition in one of the world’s most watched mobile esports titles.
Animesh Agarwal, aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL, commented, “We’re committing to MLBB in a big way — becoming a partnered organization and aligning closely with the S8UL vision, with the legendary Michael ‘MobaZane’ Cosgun leading the charge. As a mobile-first org, MLBB holds a special place for us — it’s the only mobile title among the eight games we’re part of. The game’s growth in India is promising, and we’re excited to contribute to its rise by working closely with key Indian stakeholders. This is just the beginning of what we aim to build with MLBB”
The team’s previous accolades include a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Gaimin Gladiators in the NACT Spring Finals and an unforgettable reverse sweep against Cloud9 in the NACT Fall 2024 Grand Finals, turning a 0-3 deficit into a thrilling 4-3 win. That comeback secured their place at the M6 World Championship, where they went on to finish in the top 10. Collectively, the roster has earned close to $150,000 (approx. INR 1.2 crore) in prize winnings, establishing themselves as one of the most accomplished MLBB teams in North America.
“We’ve been on a long journey together, from grassroots tournaments to the world stage, and every chapter has shaped who we are as a team. Joining S8UL feels like the beginning of something bigger than just competition. It’s about aligning with an organisation that understands not just the game, but the grind, the setbacks, and the stories that build champions. We’re not here just to play, we’re here to evolve, to represent, and to create a legacy that goes beyond titles and trophies. With S8UL behind us, we now have the platform to take that next big leap.” said team captain Michael Cosgun aka MobaZane.
According to data from Esports Charts, MLBB is the world’s most popular esports game in 2025, with a peak viewership of 2.7 million. The M6 World Championship held last year recorded an impressive peak viewership of 4.13 million and maintained an average viewership of 709,000 across its 120-hour broadcast, making it one of the largest and most-watched esports tournaments of 2024.
At EWC 2025, 16 of the world’s top MLBB teams will compete in double elimination group stages and best-of-5 knockout rounds which will culminate in a best-of-7 grand final. With a $3,000,000 (approx. INR 25.6 crore) prize pool on the line, this year’s MSC is set to be one of the biggest mobile esports events in history.
S8UL’s MLBB roster brings a balanced mix of experience and synergy across all roles. MobaZane leads as the Jungler, with FwydChickn in the EXP Lane and Hoon anchoring the Mid Lane. ZIA handles the Gold Lane, while Shark plays Roamer, driving team engagements. Bestplayer1 adds depth as a second Jungler, offering strategic flexibility for different matchups.
With this announcement, S8UL has now unveiled rosters across seven different titles for EWC 2025. The lineups are as follows:
Apex Legends: Rick Wirth (Sharky), Benjamin Spaseski (Jesko) and Tom Canty (Legacy)
Call of Duty: Warzone: Colin Bowers-Wilson (Trikempathy), Braxton Trice (Braxtvn), and Ryder Skarzinski (Ryda)
Chess: Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram
EAFC25: Jonas Wirth (Jonny) and Aaron Rivera (Happy)
Mobile Legends Bang Bang: Michael Cosgun (MobaZane), Ian Hohl (FwydChickn), Jang Seong-hun (Hoon), Ziameth-Jei Caluya (ZIA), Vo Trung (Shark), and Carlos Ortega Vega (Bestplayer1)
Starcraft II: Pyung Jae Koh (GuMiho)
Tekken 8: Arja Gamoori (Sephiblack) and Nino Schwarz (Nino)
The post S8UL acquires North America’s leading Mobile Legends: Bang Bang roster ahead of Esports World Cup 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
LEON Esports, the international esports division of Leon.bet, has officially become the international partner of SAW, one of the leading Counter-Strike 2 teams in Europe.
Based in Portugal, SAW is currently ranked #24 in the global CS2 rankings (HLTV) and maintains a strong position within the Top 30. The team is recognized for its competitive consistency, professional structure, and growing fanbase across Europe.
This partnership marks the second major esports collaboration for LEON Esports, following its ongoing cooperation with FlyQuest. The agreement with SAW reflects LEON’s continued commitment to the development of the global esports ecosystem and its support for high-performing international teams.
The cooperation will include a range of joint initiatives, such as exclusive content creation, community activations, and brand integrations designed to strengthen the connection between the team and its audience.
With this new partnership, LEON Esports continues to expand its presence in international esports and invest in teams that demonstrate both potential and performance on the world stage.
The post LEON Esports announces partnership with Portuguese CS2 Team SAW appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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