What Is Influencing eSports In Latin America?

It’s no secret that eSports has become a global phenomenon, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. We can see this viral expansion of the gaming industry in emerging markets as well, especially in Latin America.

You might wonder how this expansion happened in South America. A crucial role in the boom of eSports in this part of the world is the internet celebrity streamers. Below we will dive into the most important contributors responsible for the rise of this country’s success.

Latin America: The Emerging Market of eSports

A new research study from Juniper has found that the global eSports and games streaming industry will be worth $3.5 billion by 2025, rising from $2.1 billion in 2021. While China, the United States, and Western Europe have been the center of the gaming industry in 2021, the tables have turned now. 

Namely, the eSports market in Latin America has been rapidly rising. Brazil, for instance, had over 1,200 active eSports competition players in 2021. The finest gamers who create content are Brazilian YouTubers with a constant exponential growth in their audience. 

What’s more, in 2022, the Liga Latinoamérica (LLA), also known as the main Spanish version of League of Legends, recorded more than 94 thousand peak viewers in their closing season.

eSport Streamers Responsible for Exponential Audience Growth

The whole world has come to the point where eSports are no longer just some simple video games but a seriously influential industry. What started out as a small step has now become a leap, a trend that continues to grow. 

An important influence in Latin American eSports is one of the most popular online platforms called Twitch. It consists of video games (owned by Amazon), with a major focus on eSports. Among Twitch users, 41% are between 16 and 24 years old, while 32% are older, between 25-34.

Additionally, in 2021, the Twitch online platform reached around 2.3 billion hours of views, followed by Facebook Gaming with 1.06 billion hours and YouTube Gaming with 1.37 billion.

Aside from this platform, there are other individuals – that are also Twitch streamers – that have contributed to the growth of eSports in Latin America. 

TheGrefg 

TheGrefg is a Spanish Youtuber with one of the most-subscribed Spanish YouTube channels – up to 17.7 million subscribers. Plus, his Twitch channel is considered the eighth most followed, with 10.2 million followers. If that is not enough, he has held the Guinness World Record for the most concurrent viewers of a Twitch stream.

Ibai Llanos a.k.a. Ibai

Another example of a Spanish celebrity in this field is Ibai Llanos, who in 2021 started a new series on his channel called “Charlando tranquilamente” (“Calmly Chatting”) dedicated to talking with public figures. In his first show, he hosted the famous footballer Gerard Piqué. 

On his Twitch channel, he managed to broadcast for free the Copa America soccer tournament, which is one of the most important eSports events in South America.

Raul Alvarez a.k.a. Auronplay

This Twitch player managed to reach 120.63 million hours watched in 2021, jumping for more than 70% from what he had in 2020. He is mostly known for playing Minecraft and GTA and using the Just Chatting channels on Twitch.

Victor Paul Calderon a.k.a. Elded

This Mexican YouTuber managed to get 21 million hours of views on his Twitch account. Although he considers YouTubing as a hobby, he sees Twitch as a job, which is why his influence in the eSports world is enormous. In 2020, he got nominated for Favorite Gamer at the Kid’s Choice Awards in Mexico.

Other Events to Boost the Growth of eSports

It is no wonder why these online streamers have become mainstream idols. Their eagerness to share new experiences is what keeps their audience growing. Another event that has aroused great media expectation was the return to the ring of the former boxer Floyd Mayweather, who, in early June 2021, fought against the “YouTuber” Paul Logan.

Conclusion 

There is a constant search for new experiences of content in the eSports world in Latin America. As an emerging market, it has helped push audience growth by introducing to customers a new type of digital entertainment. 

All these online examples in the development of Latin American eSports show that this sphere of the digital world is only gaining momentum and will keep growing. From the Brazilian Youtubers to the most famous Spanish Twitch streamers, we can see new exciting online streams constantly held for the fans. Through these online connections going viral, the Latin American eSports world is slowly taking its rightful place amongst the best pro gaming leagues.