Gaming Trade Body Ukie Outlines Esports Economic Impact in U.K.

Olsberg•SPI together with Nordicity have released a report commissioned by U.K. video game trade body Ukie regarding the economic impact and growth potential of the region’s esports market.

The report found that the U.K.’s esports sector has seen an annual average growth rate of 8.5% between 2016 and 2019, and in 2019 represented just below 8% of the global market. The industry also supported more than 1.2K U.K. jobs in 2019.

Finally, the report noted that a major global esports event hosted in the U.K. could generate £12M ($15.6M USD) in gross value added (GVA) for the country’s economy along with 238 full-time equivalents of employment.

Last year, Riot Games reported that the LCS Summer Finals in Detroit contributed $5.44M to the city’s economy, while the LEC Spring Finals contributed $2.6M to its host city of Rotterdam. Due to their regional nature, however, these events are smaller in scope than an international championship such as The International or a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major. 

Notably, however, Majors for games outside of the biggest titles do not appear to have this level of economic impact, as the Raleigh Major for Rainbow Six Siege contributed just $1.45M to the North Carolina capital’s economy.

Source: Read Full Article