In recent years, the esports industry has seen a massive surge in popularity due to the introduction of streaming services such as Twitch, YouTube, and Mixer. These streaming services have allowed for viewers to watch esports events in real-time and have made it easier for players to broadcast their gameplay to a larger audience. The introduction of streaming services has drastically changed the esports industry, as it has led to an increase in viewership, prize pools, and sponsorships.

Viewership for esports events has grown exponentially since the introduction of streaming services. According to a report by Newzoo, the global esports audience is expected to reach 495 million people in 2021, with the majority of viewers being between the ages of 21 and 35. This is a significant jump from the estimated global esports viewership of 385 million in 2019. The increased viewership is largely due to the accessibility of streaming services, as they allow viewers to watch esports events from the comfort of their own homes. This has also opened up the esports industry to a much wider audience, as viewers no longer have to attend events in person to watch their favorite teams compete.

The increased viewership has also led to an increase in prize pools for esports events. Prize pools for esports tournaments have grown significantly in recent years, with the largest prize pool ever recorded being $34 million for The International 2019. This is a stark contrast to the $2.2 million prize pool for The International 2018, which was the largest prize pool in esports history at the time. The large prize pools are largely due to the increased viewership that streaming services have provided, as more viewers means more sponsorships and investments in esports.

Finally, streaming services have made it easier for sponsors to invest in esports. Sponsors are now able to reach a larger audience through streaming services, as they can advertise their products and services to viewers around the world. This has led to an increase in sponsorships for esports organizations and players, as sponsors are now able to reach a much wider audience. This has also allowed for more money to be invested in the esports industry, which has led to larger prize pools and better salaries for professional players.


In conclusion, streaming services such as Twitch, YouTube, and Mixer have drastically changed the esports industry. The introduction of streaming services has led to an increase in viewership, prize pools, and sponsorships, making esports more accessible to both viewers and players alike. This has also opened up the potential for increased investments in the esports industry, which could lead to even larger prize pools and better salaries for professional players. As more people become aware of esports through streaming services, the industry is sure to continue to grow and evolve in the years to come.