Former soccer pro Gareth Bale, who is also an esports investor and enthusiast, shared his thoughts on the growing popularity of esports during the Next World Forum. He believes that esports has the potential to rival traditional sports like soccer in terms of popularity and opportunities for young players. As someone who has invested in esports, Bale has seen firsthand the positive impact it can have. He also mentioned that virtual reality is becoming a game-changer in the industry.
The gaming and esports industry has come a long way and is now worth an estimated $170 billion globally. This is more than double the combined worth of the film and music industries. While soccer remains a popular sport with a market value of $31.7 billion in Europe, it still falls short compared to the immense value of gaming and esports.
The Next World Forum, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, brought together over 2,500 delegates from the gaming and esports community to discuss the future of the industry. The forum aimed to capture the full potential of the esports ecosystem and further Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a global hub for gaming.
Events like the Next World Forum are crucial in ensuring that the popularity of gaming and esports is fully recognized and embraced. Saudi Arabia, in particular, has seen a significant surge in gaming consumption, with projections indicating a market value of $6.8 billion by 2030.
Gamers8, the largest gaming and esports festival in the world, has also played a significant role in promoting Saudi Arabia’s gaming and esports ambitions. The festival, held over eight weeks in July and August, has become a highly anticipated event in the industry’s calendar.
While it’s uncertain whether esports athletes will surpass the popularity of soccer stars in the future, the ultimate goal is to establish Saudi Arabia as a global gaming hub. The country aims to create a vibrant and collaborative ecosystem that attracts players, investors, and enthusiasts from around the world.
| Industry | Estimated Worth |
|---|---|
| Gaming and Esports | $170 billion |
| Film | $80 billion |
| Music | $30 billion |
| Soccer (Europe) | $31.7 billion |
Source: DOTESPORTS
