The esports industry has continued to grow rapidly, and 2024 looks set to be another year in which it soars. According to figures, the global industry is currently worth approximately $4.3 billion this year, but the compound annual growth rate between now and 2028 is expected to be 7.10%, giving it a value of around $5.7 billion. However, what are set to be the biggest esports of 2024 and which should we keep our collective eye on?
The industry has boomed in recent years as it has become more popular with betting and gambling enthusiasts. It’s now possible to wager on the games that are being played as if they were traditional sports, with sportsbooks providing them as a betting market. It has allowed traditional users of an online casino in NZ to have the opportunity to diversify the wagering activities that they enjoy and give them something else to consider instead of playing pokies or table games.
Of course, some esports have become more renowned than others across the industry through their popularity. Games like Fortnite and Call of Duty are esports that have become mainstream titles that almost every casual gamer will have played at one point or another, while there are some that have been more specifically tailored for the competitive gaming scene, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2.
League of Legends continues to reign supreme
When thinking of an esports title, League of Legends (LoL) is typically one of people’s first thoughts. The game has become synonymous with the industry due to its format and the way in which the gameplay style suits esports competition.
As of May 2024, it remains the top game for viewers who stream each of the contests that take place, with tournaments taking place globally. On May 18, the esport title enjoyed its peak audience of over 2.8 million, ranking it as the #1 game.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is making waves
A game that appears to have started to enjoy more traction across the esports sector in recent times is Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Although it may have been initially released almost 10 years ago (2016), it’s a game that has proven very popular with the Asian market.
Over 800 tournaments have been held currently, with more than 5 million people watching the 2023 events. The viewing figures have remained strong for this year’s events, with the peak being just over 1.8 million in March.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive continues to be a solid option
As mentioned, CS:GO is one of the most popular and recognizable games to have ever been associated with the esports industry, therefore it’s not a surprise to see it remaining as one of the biggest games in 2024.
This year, it currently ranks as the third-most watched game, with a peak audience of more than 1.8 million. It’s possible to argue that given the number of competitions and events that take place all year around, this figure could be eclipsed significantly before the end of December.
Valorant continues to provide something different
Valorant is one of the esports titles that has perhaps been more transformative for the esports industry than any of the others. It’s a game that has allowed female players to enter the competitive scene, as there have been many accomplished women who have excelled in this game.
This diverse player base has arguably made the game one of the biggest to be played regularly, especially when events are being held, as it can provide something a little different from the norm and create more intrigue. It is another game that has had more than 1 million peak viewers this year thus far, thus making it one of the biggest of the year.
