The main highlights of the week: the esports business and how much esports players earn in Russia.

The esports business continues to gain popularity. Every day, events related to esports happen around the world, which have a significant impact on this sector. Today, we will discuss the most interesting events that have occurred in the field of esports over the past few days.

Esports Business: Trends and Growth

The esports business continues to grow. According to a report by Newzoo, the esports market is expected to reach $1.84 billion in 2024, which is 10% higher compared to 2023. The main sources of revenue include sponsorship, advertising, and broadcasting rights sales. Sponsorship contracts make up about 40% of esports revenue, while advertising brings in around 30%.

Furthermore, companies are actively investing in developing esports infrastructure. This year, several major companies, including Intel and Lenovo, announced the creation of new training centers and arenas for esports competitions. For example, a new arena in Los Angeles, built for $50 million, will host a number of major tournaments and events, showcasing the growing interest in esports.

How Much Esports Players Earn

Earnings of Russian esports players vary depending on their level of popularity and success in tournaments. In 2024, the highest incomes in Russia are earned by players from teams like Virtus.pro and Gambit Esports.

Virtus.pro: According to sources, leading players of the team, such as Yaroslav «Pikachu» Kudryavtsev and Alexey «Darklord» Lipatov, earn around $200,000 — $300,000 per year, including prize money and sponsorship contracts.

Gambit Esports: Players from this team also demonstrate high earnings, with annual incomes ranging from $150,000 — $250,000. Their earnings include not only prize money but also streaming and advertising contract revenues.

The average income of lesser-known esports players, playing in national leagues or junior teams, is around $20,000 — $50,000 per year. These figures can significantly increase with the players’ growing popularity and professional achievements.

The esports business shows steady growth, thanks to increased investments and infrastructure development. At the same time, earnings of Russian esports players demonstrate significant potential for career growth and financial success. These trends emphasize the importance of esports as a significant element of the modern sports and business environment.