The number of eSports fans in the U.S. has grown by 14 percent this year and most of them are millennials.
According to the latest Nielsen eSports Report, the number of eSports fan base saw a rapid growth this year compared to just 8 percent last year. The report pointed out that 77 percent of all eSports fans are male while 61 percent are millennials.
ESports fans, according to the latest Nielsen report, are twice as likely to spend four hours per week on eSports-related activities/ entertainment. They are also twice as likely to stream traditional sporting events online as non eSports fans.
The data further revealed that 71% of esports fans stream events online, with only 40% viewing on TV. 23% of these fans have attended an event in person, too.
-eSports fans are three times more likely than the average American to be fans of combat/fighting sports, racing, and U.S./European soccer, which are also the three most popular genres of sports video games.
“eSports is no longer a niche activity—it’s one of the fastest growing segments of the entire sports industry,” said Nicole Pike, Director of Nielsen Games. “Nielsen’s 2016 eSports Report offers deep insights into what this growing audience looks like, as well as how it compares to traditional sports fans and what brands and marketers need to understand when trying to engage with them.”
Proving this point, Las Vegas is reportedly positioning itself as the eSports capital of the world.
ESports Betting Report said that the Nevada Gaming Policy Committee led by Gov. Brian Sandoval is set to meet this Wednesday to discuss – among others – the future of eSports.
Gaming regulators, lawmakers, and executives from gaming companies in the state discuss the main agenda of the day: “How Nevada can become the eSports capitol of the world.”
Though it is unlikely that the meeting will result to formal recommendations, it is considered to be as a positive sign for Las Vegas in its attempt to become a meaningful hub for the ESports industry.
