FIFA’s eWorld Cup could soon be capturing football fans

FIFA eSports has a new champion, Saudi Arabia’s Mosaad Aldossary, following the FIFA eWorld Cup final in London’s o2 arena last weekend. Some of the Venatus team attended the showdown, witnessing a magnificent conclusion to the tournament. A virtual championship which started with 20 million entrants from across the globe came to a close with 32 finalists from 19 countries who convened for the final.

After competing for three days, the winner took home a staggering $250,000 (£193,000). It isn’t expected to stop there for the champion, with lucrative endorsements and acclaim amongst a growing community.

The recent eWorld Cup was televised in more than 100 countries across the globe, including a live broadcast of the final on Sky Sports.Alongside this, eSports tournaments like the eWorld Cup are streamed live around the world on Twitch, Twitter and FIFA’s own platform.

The global eSports audience will reach 380 million this year and by 2020, it is predicted that eSports will generate $1.5 billion. Following the growing success of eSports, it is no surprise that professional football teams such as Manchester City, West Ham United and Paris St-Germain are aligning themselves with competitive gaming, launching their own eSports teams.

Football is one of the world’s most admired sports, attracting enormous audiences. Reflecting on this, FIFA gaming now plays a key role in encouraging fans to engage with football, both virtually and directly.

With eSports audiences and prize pools rising significantly it is anticipated that growing numbers of gaming and non-gaming brands will soon be investing in eSports, utilising the growing phenomenon in hope to extend their consumer base and increase revenues.

As Europe’s leading entertainment ad sales house, Venatus represent some of the world’s leading gaming publishers including EA, Rovio and Mobafire. We are passionate about eSports and continue to support our publishers in broadening their sales efforts with the largest trading desks across the globe who hope to take full advantage of the growing trend.