Most Popular Esports of 2018
Overwatch
Blizzard’s hero-shooter Overwatch has been steadily growing a devoted esports fan base since release. In this short time, there have been close to 600 tournaments held, with a combined prize fund of over $5 million.
This is largely thanks to the extensive support and resources that Blizzard has put behind its own league, the Overwatch League.
It more closely resembles traditional American sports than its competitors, featuring a set of permanent teams and regular season play.
During its first week, the Overwatch League drew in over 10 million viewers across all streaming formats. The Blizzard Arena, where the events were held, were sold out for all four event days.
The scene has garnered huge sponsorships from the likes of Intel, HP, and Toyota, with the 2018 season currently underway, and finals in July. The last match-up is currently at 173,000 viewers on Twitch, an indicator that the game is only going to get bigger and bigger as an esports game.