In a significant transformation within the competitive gaming realm, Chinese esports competitors regained their leading position in 2021, amassing an astounding $37 million in winnings and concluding a three-year reign by the United States.
A recent analysis from Safe Betting Sites emphasized this power shift, disclosing that Chinese gamers earned a remarkable $37 million in 2021, firmly establishing their dominance atop the worldwide earnings leaderboard. This triumph follows three consecutive years (2018-2020) where China trailed the United States, occupying the second position.
The United States, although dethroned, still commanded a respectable $22.8 million in overall prize earnings for 2021.
This resurgence signifies China’s return to the summit since 2017, as per data from Esports Earnings. The timeframe from 2018 onward witnessed American esports competitors consistently out-earning their Chinese rivals.
Nevertheless, 2021 observed a dramatic surge in earnings for Chinese gamers, escalating from $17.9 million to an impressive $37.1 million. This period coincided with a decline in prize money secured by American players.
For example, while American competitors enjoyed a substantial $43.6 million in prize money in 2019, this figure plummeted to $23.1 million in 2020 and further dipped to $22.8 million in 2021. This downward trajectory coincided with a year-on-year reduction in the number of players representing the United States since 2019.
Closely trailing the United States is Russia, securing a commendable third position in 2021. This accomplishment is particularly notable considering they were absent from the top ten highest-earning nations in 2019. Their ascent has been nothing short of meteoric, rising from a respectable sixth position with $440,000 in earnings in 2020 to a powerful third position with a remarkable $21.9 million in 2021.
South Korea, once a powerhouse in the esports domain, experienced a decline in rankings, settling in fourth place with a total of $11 million in prize money.
Throughout 2019 and the following year, the 6m area maintained its position as the third highest earner in competitive gaming. Ukraine, on the other hand, skyrocketed into the top five, amassing a staggering $10.3 million in prize money. This surge is particularly notable given that the Eastern European country was absent from the top ten rankings in both 2019 and 2020.
Joining the ranks of Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, and Denmark to complete the top ten highest-earning nations in 2021 were some unexpected contenders.
Vyom Chaudhary, an editor at Safe Betting Sites, remarked on the evolving global esports environment: “China and Ukraine reigned supreme in the competitive gaming arena throughout 2021. American squads, having reached their zenith in 2019, have experienced a gradual decline. It appears the pandemic’s effects on the US esports scene extended into 2021.”
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