Qatar Esports Forum: A record year for esports viewership and other key takeaways

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Last week, Lusail played host to the second edition of the Qatar Esports Forum, an important event that brought together international gaming leaders and regional stakeholders to explore new ideas, strengthen partnerships, and continue building Qatar’s presence in the global esports landscape.

Among the forum’s speakers was Esports Charts founder Ivan Danishevskyi, who presented insights on the growth of esports popularity both in the MENA region and globally. Ivan covered a wide range of topics during his presentation, from the explosive growth of esports audiences in the MENA region to the global rise in prize pools, both of which carry major implications for the industry.

One of the key takeaways was that 2024 didn’t just sustain the momentum gained during the pandemic-era boom, but actually surpassed it. The year set a new all-time viewership record, reaching a staggering 3.26 billion Hours Watched* in a single year, an incredible milestone for the industry.

Esports has been on a steady upward trajectory since rebounding from its first dip in yearly viewership back in 2022, a drop largely attributed to the end of global lockdowns. While the growth that followed hasn’t matched the explosive surge seen during the pandemic, it remains remarkably strong. Surpassing even the lockdown-era numbers is a testament to the industry's resilience and evolution. Several factors have fueled this progress: a broader calendar of esports circuits, increased coverage of top-tier titles like League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Dota 2, and the normalization of co-streaming, which has significantly expanded reach in 2024. Add to that a wave of new investments and a growing loyal fanbase, both returning viewers and newcomers, and it’s clear that esports is entering a new era of sustained global momentum.

“Last year was a record-breaking one for esports in more ways than one, and that’s something we should all be excited about. It wasn’t just the total hours watched hitting an all-time high, we also saw a major spike in concurrent viewership, with over 6.9 million live viewers tuning in during Worlds. That shows the audience isn’t just growing, it’s becoming more active and engaged in real time. Add to that a rising global prize pool, and we’re seeing stronger recognition of the industry from both within and outside. 

Now’s the moment to turn these numbers into strategy — whether you're an organizer, a sponsor, or a platform, real-time insights are no longer optional. The big question now is: what’s next, and how far can we push it with the right data in hand?”

Ivan Danishevskyi, founder of Esports Charts

The event featured multiple other speakers. Among the notable attendees was Eng. Jassim Mohamed Al Khori, CEO of Media City Qatar, who shared valuable insights on the sector’s financial growth. Al Khori highlighted that global esports investments have now surpassed an astonishing $100 billion. This surge in funding underscores the sector's importance, not just in entertainment but also as a source of jobs and a critical component of modern media.

The event placed a strong emphasis on industry growth, technological innovation, and forging deeper connections between global and regional stakeholders. Qatar’s continued investment in the esports landscape not only strengthens its influence within the MENA region but also bolsters its global standing.