The Emerging eSports Markets of Europe

Source: Statista

Even though video games have become one of the most lucrative industries worldwide, eSports are still considered far removed from “real” sports, even though events like world championships in popular games like League of Legends, DotA 2 or StarCraft II regularly sell out huge arenas and athletes follow similarly strict training regimes to improve at their craft. While the general populace may be skeptical, gamers in key European markets are starting to take more and more notice of the appeal of virtual competitions as our chart shows.

Overall, eSports viewership in Europe has risen by by 6 million in 2020 compared to 2019, a change of 7.4 percent. As data from a joint survey by PayPal and Newzoo in key European markets indicates, these numbers will likely climb even further in the future. 59 percent of total respondents said they were watching more eSports than in 2019 and will likely continue to do so in the coming years. The market breakdown however shows huge differences between countries. In the Nordics, less than half of the participants viewed more eSports content than before, with Norway coming in last at 25 percent. 70 percent of Spanish viewers, on the other hand, said their watch time of their favorite teams duking it out on the virtual stage increased when compared to 2019.

In 2021, the global eSports market was valued at approximately 1.1 billion US dollars worldwide. Even though the numbers have steadily increased over the last years, it still only makes up a fraction of the overall global video game market, which was tentatively valued at about 180 billion US dollars this year.

The Emerging eSports Markets of Europe

The Most Expensive Footballers of All Time

Source: Statista

Chelsea‘s signing of Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan this week for €115m has made the 28-year-old the most expensive footballer of all time. Not to be mistaken with the highest single transfer fee, Lukaku’s five career transfers now total €327.6m, according to figures from Transfermarkt.com. That takes him ahead of Brazilian superstar Neymar, who has generated tranfer fees to the value of €310.2m in his career so far, albeit with only two moves.

That’s not the only record broken with this transfer, either. Transfermarkt adds: “The forward set two further records. In addition to the most expensive sale of a Serie A club…Lukaku is also the new record signing at Chelsea. This position was previously held by Kai Havertz and goalkeeper Kepa with €80 million each. Furthermore, Lukaku joins a group of now twelve players who have cost at least €100 million.”

The Most Expensive Footballers of All Time