As the sun sets on yet another year defined by the unyielding effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, one can’t help but step back and admire the intrinsic resilience of the esports industry.
Unprecedented logistical shifts put in place during 2020 endured into 2021, and our digital nature as an industry meant we fared far better than most in adapting to the newfound normal.
In last year’s recap, there was an emphasis on esports’ place as a stand-in media darling while traditional sports went on hiatus. 2021 may have seen less linear TV airtime for esports, but other successes ensued: tournament viewership boomed across live streaming services, sponsors cleverly adapted partnerships, investment activity showed remarkable resilience, and whole new opportunities opened up in the esports betting world.