In recent years, Brazil eSports has emerged as a formidable force in the global online sporting landscape. With a rapidly growing gaming community based around some of the most popular eSports games, significant revenue generation, and a growing eSports betting market, Brazil is on the cusp of dominating the Latin American eSports scene. Let’s find out more about how and why Brazil is set to become the king of eSports in Latin America.
Brazil’s Audience Interest is Already Miles Ahead
Brazil’s eSports market is experiencing exponential growth, according to various data sources from Statista. The market is projected to reach a revenue of $89.6 million in 2023, with an expected annual growth rate of 8.80%, leading to a market volume of $130.41 million by 2027. This growth trajectory is a clear indicator of Brazil’s rising dominance in the LATAM eSports sector.
A graphical representation of eSports in Brazil.
Brazil eSports
Here is what the numbers are looking like for the Brazilian market:
- 2017: $7 million
- 2018: $7.92 million
- 2019: $9.16 million
- 2020: $10.39 million
- 2021: $12.28 million
- 2022: $74.01 million
- 2023: $89.60 million
- 2024: $104.02 million
- 2025: $116.02 million
- 2026: $124.27 million
- 2027: $130.41 million
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the way that people interacted with eSports changed dramatically, which can be seen in the numbers above. Livestreaming, eSports and influencer marketing became more intertwined as more people became accustomed to more digital-first entertainment.
The eSports betting segment is the largest within Brazil’s eSports market, with a projected volume of $73.6 million in 2023. This aligns with the general trend in sports betting in Brazil, where soccer betting is particularly popular. Eight out of ten survey participants reported betting on football, reflecting a strong potential for crossover between traditional sports betting and eSports betting – especially when you see that eSports betting came in third place, just slightly behind basketball.
eSports in Brazil.
Brazil’s Growth at International eSports Tournaments
The success of Brazilian eSports teams in international tournaments, particularly in CS:GO and LoL, has played a significant role in the increased popularity of eSports in recent years. For instance, the Brazilian Major-winning SK Gaming roster from 2016 greatly influenced the CS:GO scene. The CBLoL, Brazil’s premier LoL tournament, recorded more viewers than the LCS in its 2022 Spring split, showcasing the popularity of PC-based eSports in the country.
All of this has led to Brazil’s eSports market attracting a lot of international interest. Team Liquid expanded its operations in Brazil in 2022 and 2023, recognizing the region’s potential. Major events like Rock in Rio have included eSports components, and Riot Games has launched several women’s tournaments in Brazil. ESL Gaming’s commitment to Brazil through the IEM Brazil tournament further underscores the international recognition of Brazil’s eSports scene.
Brazil eSports. Photo/iGaming News
Government Recognition and Challenges
Despite the growth, eSports in Brazil faces challenges in government recognition. There is no federal law dedicated to eSports, and efforts at legislation since 2017 have faced obstacles. However, some states like Paraíba and Paraná have introduced their own legislation, indicating a gradual shift in recognition.
Despite the lack of governmental recognition, Brazil still hosts a range of notable eSports tournaments, including CBLoL, Copa Elite Six, and the Dota Pro Circuit South America. The presence of major eSports organizations like Vivo Keyd, Red Canids Kalunga, and paiN Gaming further cements Brazil’s status in the global eSports arena.
What’s Next for Brazil?
Brazil’s eSports scene is characterized by a young, engaged audience, a growing betting market, and significant investments from both international and local stakeholders. This, combined with the projected revenue within the market is all a recipe for complete success for the growth of eSports within Brazil.
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