PwC report suggests esports revenues could nearly triple in next five years

PwC’s 2017 Global Entertainment and Media Outlook report has projected that eSports revenues will go from $108 in 2016 to $299 million in 2021, making it one of the fastest growing segments of the entertainment and media industry.

It’s hard to disagree, with the prize pools, events and esports ‘scene’ getting larger each year. The increasing colonisation of sports organisations into the esports space: with partnerships between american sports franchises and in some cases even owning the team. This is the case for Team Dignitas, who are run by NBA outfit Philadelphia 76ers day-to-day, handling recruitment, marketing and merchandise.

With that kind of money involved in esports, why wouldn’t it be set for record growth? The report by PwC notes that if the space continues to be grow at the same pace, “sports teams such as the 76ers that became early movers will have the upper hand — as well as a usefully sized stadium for hosting tournaments.”

From the report: “The development of eSports has grown at a breakneck pace in the U.S. over recent years, receiving perhaps its biggest boost into the mainstream when ESPN began covering major events on both its streaming and regular channels — most notably the August 2015 final of The International, a tournament for Defense of the Ancients 2.”