eSports is gaining popularity in the United States. According to the Newzoo Global eSports Market Report, the eSports audience in North America grew by 6% in 2017. The report also stated that there are more than 220 million eSports enthusiasts worldwide and that the global eSports market generated $696 million in revenue in the previous year. This growth has been sustained in consecutive years with the industry recording a whopping $947.1 million in 2020, projected to surpass the $1 billion mark in 2021.
The US has a lot of competitive gamers. There are even gaming teams for high school students who compete with other schools across the country. The reality is competitive video gaming is becoming an integral part of America’s popular culture. It seems only a matter of time before sports betting on eSports begins to eclipse other fantasy sports options. As the industry continues to record steady exponential growth, it is attracting the attention of big-money global investors, media outlets, major brands, and most importantly, the interest of avid American gamers.
Fan Favorite eSports Games in the United States
The gaming trends recorded by casino bonuses now show that the dramatic rise of eSports has previously been documented in other parts of the world, primarily in Asia. The lockdown imposed by the pandemic was one of the enabling factors that sparked the wave in North America and much of Europe. This is not to say that eSports was not already popular among American gamers. The American eSports market was already recording a 15.7 percent annual growth rate since 2012.
Some of the most popular eSports games in the United States include:
Dota 2
Valve Corporation released the well-known multiplayer battle arena game in 2013 and it has since become a global phenomenon among modern gamers. It was created as a follow-up to the popular Defense of the Ancients. According to global gaming statistics, Dota 2 is most popular in North America, followed by the European landscape. Because of its interactive design, it is ideal for tournaments. It consists of five players who defend their assigned areas on the gaming map and work together to destroy the opponent’s “Ancient” structure located deep within their base.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
This is yet another gaming masterpiece released in 2012 by Valve Corporation and Hidden Path Entertainment that quickly became popular among global eSports players. It’s also a popular choice for tournaments, thanks to its interactive first-person shooter gaming interface, which allows for intense competition between two teams.
Overwatch
Overwatch is also a fan favorite in the US, as well as a popular choice in local and international eSports tournaments. Overwatch was released in 2016 by Blizzard Entertainment and is more interactive than other common eSports options because it allows gaming in teams of six. Since its release, American gamers have dominated eSports tournaments, with Asian gamers serving as their main competition.
StarCraft II
Blizzard Entertainment created this beloved strategy game in 2010. Millions of dollars have been spent on StarCraft II tournaments over the last decade, and the game is expected to progress even further in the coming decade. Fans adore the game’s Sci- Fi setting.
These are just a few of the top eSports options available in the US gaming market. There are many more fan favorites, such as League of Legends, Fortnite, and PUBG.
Upcoming eSports Tournaments and the Best eSports Teams in the United States
The North American Regional Championship, which will take place from February 11th to 13th in Anaheim, California, is one of the most anticipated eSports events. Dreamhack 2022 Anaheim was the previous name for this event. It returns back to America after two years of delays and disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Another highly anticipated eSports event is the League of Legends Championship 2022, which will take place in various gaming locations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament, which is set to take place in the fall, has already piqued the interest of both local and international gamers. The championship is the pinnacle of the League of Legends competition. The competition will take place in New York, San Francisco, Mexico City, and Toronto over the course of a month.
Other noteworthy honorable mentions on the horizon include the Dreamhack 2022 Atlanta, Georgia, which will be held late in November this year, and the 2022 LCS Mid-season Cup, which will be held on April 23rd and 24th in Houston, Texas.
The massive investments poured into the American eSports landscape clearly demonstrates the incredible potential of the market, particularly in the US. Top American eSports teams are already earning millions of dollars from local and international competitions. Just a few:
- Evil Geniuses with over $19 million in earnings
- Chaos eSports Club with over $4 million in earnings
- Team EnVyUs with over $2 million in collective winnings
- Team SoloMid with over $1.3 million
- OpTic Gaming with over $1 million in recorded earnings.
Many more eSports teams are sprouting up across the United States. With massive growth predicted for the gaming ecosystem between now and 2030, it is inevitable that things will only get more exciting for avid gamers.
