Esports To Close In On Germany's Traditional Leagues By '20, Deloitte Study Says

A Deloitte study predicts that esports will grow by more than 25% annually over the next four years in Germany. This year, esports generated about €50M ($53M) in Germany. The study, which Deloitte conducted on behalf of the German Association for Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU), said that revenue will almost double by '18. For '20, the study predicts that esports turnover in the market will rise to around €130M ($137.8M). The figure translates to an average annual increase of 25%. The driving factors behind the increase are sponsorships and ticketing. Deloitte Sport Business Group Head Karsten Hollasch: "Esports is not yet a competitor to the football Bundesliga -- despite an increase in the number of fans and revenues. Other leagues like the BBL (basketball), DEL (hockey) or HBL (handball) are, however, in reach. Esports will continue to close in on those leagues and maybe even overtake them by the end of the decade" (Deloitte).