Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of sports fans would pack into massive arenas to see their favorite teams compete against one another. But at these events, rivals weren’t facing off on a field or court—they were sitting at computers playing video games!
When social-distancing restrictions prevented people from gathering in large numbers, these eSports events shifted online. But the change in venue didn’t make eSports any less popular. With the rise of live-streaming platforms for gamers like Twitch, more people are watching video game competitions. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, 82 percent of people surveyed worldwide said they played or watched video game content, according to the market research company Nielsen.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, huge arenas were packed. Thousands of sports fans came to see their favorite teams compete against one another. But players weren’t facing off on a field or court at these events. They were sitting at computers playing video games!
Then people had to start social distancing. They could no longer gather in large numbers. So these eSports events moved online. But the change in setting didn’t make eSports any less popular. Twitch and other live-streaming platforms for gamers took off. Now more people are watching video game competitions. At the peak of the pandemic in 2020, the market research company Nielsen took a survey. Worldwide, 82 percent of people said they played or watched video game content.