PwC sees big growth potential from e-sports in Asia

A college student plays video games at an e-sports bar during his summer vacation in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo/China Daily]

HONG KONG - There is a big growth potential from global e-sports in Asia, as over half of the world's frequent e-sports viewers and enthusiasts are from Asia, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a multinational professional network said on Tuesday.

According to the PwC, global e-sports industry will accelerate from roughly $327 million in revenue in 2016 to $874 million by 2021.

PwC Global, China-Hong Kong TMT Leader Wilson Chow told media that although the current per capita consumption expenditure in e-sports sector in Asia is quite low, the growth potential in the region is "undoubted."

About 51 percent of the world's frequent e-sports viewers and enthusiasts can be found in Asia Pacific, he added.

As to the Asia's e-sports market size, South Korea ranks the first by taking 61 percent of the market share with $128 million in revenue, while Chinese mainland ranks the second, with $77 million in revenue, accounting for 36 percent of the market share, according to the PwC.

Chow estimated that China will surpass South Korea in market size in 2020, and Hong Kong should seize the opportunity to become a leading e-sports hub in Asia.

Chow said Hong Kong has many competitive advantages, such as strategic geographic location, developed telecommunication infrastructure and experiences in holding international events.