The China esports industry experienced remarkable growth in 2024, generating nearly £3 billion in revenue. Unveiled during the China Esports Industry Annual Conference in Beijing, the 2024 esports report highlighted significant trends, including mobile gaming dominance, audience saturation, and China’s rising global influence in competitive gaming.
Overview of China’s Esports Growth in 2024
The 2024 Esports Industry Report, published by the Electronic Sports Committee of China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association (ESC), underscores China’s pivotal role in the global esports landscape. Released on December 11, it detailed the sector’s 4.62% year-on-year growth, solidifying its status as a global leader in competitive gaming trends.
China’s esports audience reached 490 million in 2024, with the market showing signs of saturation. Despite the plateau in user growth, the industry’s revenue growth underscores the maturity of the China esports industry.
Revenue Breakdown and Market Highlights
The industry generated 27.568 billion RMB (~£2.97 billion) in revenue. Notably, live streaming of esports content contributed 80.84% of total revenue, emphasizing the dominance of digital platforms. Other revenue streams included esports events and club revenues, each accounting for 8.75%, while miscellaneous sources contributed 4.04%.
Key insights from the report also noted that esports game products were excluded from the revenue calculation, highlighting the robustness of standalone esports-related activities.
Audience Trends: Growth and Market Saturation
With only a modest 0.42% increase in user numbers, the report reveals a shift from rapid audience expansion to consolidation. This trend indicates the China esports industry is transitioning from an emerging market to a more stable, mature ecosystem, with audience engagement and spending habits becoming focal points.
Game Genres and Platform Dominance
Mobile gaming dominance was a central theme, commanding a 57.6% market share, a clear indication of China’s preference for portable and accessible platforms. In contrast, client-based games accounted for 26.1%, while hybrid models (games available on both mobile and client platforms) held 12%.
Among game genres, shooters led with a 26.1% share, followed by MOBAs at 15.2% and sports simulation games at 12%. This data highlights the diversity of the Chinese gaming ecosystem and its alignment with competitive gaming trends.
Esports Events and Global Influence
China hosted 124 esports events in 2024, with 58% being fully offline, 32% hybrid, and 10% online-only. Although slightly fewer than the 127 events in 2023, the country maintained its reputation as a global esports hub.
Major international tournaments, such as the 2024 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational and the CS2 Shanghai Major, reinforced China’s influence on the global stage. Additionally, Southeast Asia emerged as a growing market, with Chinese-organized tournaments like the Honor of Kings Invitational Midseason 2024 gaining prominence.
Regional Insights: Key Cities and Teams
Eastern and southwestern China dominated as key hubs for esports activities, with cities like Shanghai, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Beijing hosting nearly half of all offline events. Shanghai, Beijing, and Hangzhou are also home to over ten esports organizations each, contributing to a national total of 195 teams, a year-on-year increase.
These regions are not just hosting events but actively shaping the future of the China esports industry, with infrastructure, talent, and fanbases centered in these urban powerhouses.
The 2024 esports report paints an optimistic picture of China’s esports sector. With esports market revenue nearing £3 billion, a stable audience base, and mobile gaming dominance, the industry is poised to maintain its influence both domestically and globally. As trends evolve and new markets emerge, China’s role in shaping competitive gaming trends remains unparalleled.
