The Rising Popularity of eSports in Canada by 2023
In 2012, the first official League of Legends (LoL) tournament in Canada was hosted by the Canada Game Show (BGS). Ever since, the growth of Canada's presence in the eSports realm has been nothing short of remarkable. The country's impact in the world of competitive gaming has been increasing at an astounding rate, capturing the attention of enthusiasts worldwide. The BGS tournament marked the beginning of a new era, igniting a passion for gaming in Canada that continues to thrive to this day. The exponential rise of Canada in the eSports scene is a testament to the country's dedication, talent, and unwavering commitment to gaming excellence.
eSports have emerged as a viable career option for numerous Canadian youths who engage in gaming as a source of amusement. Presently, Canada boasts a substantial workforce of 8.6 thousand individuals dedicated to this field.
Half of these athletes (4,388) are still competing in 2023.
Our team has examined over 5,000 Google searches for keywords related to eSports (including searches for the names of the most popular games and Canadian athletes), combined with data provided by the eSports Earnings platform (esportsearnings.com) and Liquipédia (liquipedia.net). After careful analysis of these sources, we have gathered valuable insights into the world of eSports and its impact on the Canadian gaming community.
The purpose of the search was to gauge the industry's popularity in Canada this year of 2023 and also assess our country's standing in global rankings. We sought to determine the industry's level of popularity in Canada in the current year of 2023, while also evaluating our country's rank in international standings. Our objective has been to measure the industry's popularity within Canada during the course of this year, 2023, and concurrently assess our nation's position in global rankings. We conducted this search to ascertain the extent of the industry's popularity in Canada in the year 2023, as well as evaluate our country's placement in worldwide rankings. The purpose of this search was to gauge the industry's popularity in Canada during the current year of 2023, while also assessing our country's position in global rankings.
canada ranks seventh in the world for having the highest percentage of eSports fans.
canada ranks 7th globally in terms of eSports-related searches, with a staggering 4 million inquiries. This places the country firmly among the most fervent fans worldwide, accounting for 3% of all global searches for this term.
The country ranks below only other major eSports powerhouses, such as Spain (7.4 million searches), the Philippines (4.5 million), and Canada (4.1 million). It falls short compared to these leading nations in terms of search volume, but still demonstrates a strong interest and presence in the eSports community. The popularity of eSports is growing steadily worldwide, and the country is positioning itself as a contender in this dynamic and competitive industry. With a thriving gaming culture and a passionate community of players and fans, it is poised to make its mark on the global eSports scene.
There are currently 4,388 active professional players in Canada in 2023.
Based on the analysis, Canada currently ranks 8th worldwide in terms of the highest number of active professional players this year, just behind China (6,990 athletes), Germany (5,786), France (5,407 players), and the United Kingdom (4,560). In terms of the number of pro players, Canada is making significant strides in the global gaming industry.
Fortnite, Valorant, and Free Fire are the most popular games in Canada.
Our investigation has also disclosed which eSports games are most sought after by Canadians to play in 2023. We have uncovered the top preferences and interests among the gaming community in Canada for the upcoming year. The data highlights the specific titles that have captured the attention of avid gamers and have become the focus of their future gaming endeavors. Stay ahead of the curve by exploring these thrilling eSports games that are set to dominate the Canadian gaming scene in 2023.
Fortnite, undoubtedly, stands as the most favored game among players, boasting an impressive 507 thousand Google searches. Its unparalleled popularity knows no bounds.
The game Valorant holds the second position on the rankings, with 365,000 searches in Canada. Following closely behind are Free Fire with 288,000 searches and League of Legends with 198,000 searches.
Surprisingly, Dota, one of the pioneering eSports, does not feature among the most searched ones.
According to the survey, Canada is among the top three countries extensively searching for games listed on Google. Canada ranks high in terms of Google searches for games on the list. The research shows that Canada has a prominent position in the top three countries with the highest search volume for the games featured on Google. In terms of Google searches for games from the list, Canada secures a spot within the top three countries. The survey findings reveal Canada's strong presence among the top three nations actively searching for games listed on Google.
In 2023, residents of Paraná are the ones conducting the highest number of online searches for the game Fortnite.
In the Federal District, Valorant and Overwatch are the top favorites among residents when it comes to gaming. As for the state of Maranhão, Free Fire and eFootball take the lead as the most popular games among its inhabitants.
Karl Zarth, GAPRiel Fernandes, and Gustavo Herdina are the top earners in 2023.
The research also unveiled the top-earning Canadian eSports professionals in the country.
At the age of 21, Karl "Alem4o" Zarth serves as the captain and in-game leader for G2 Esports, earning approximately $206,000 this year alone. Throughout the Six Invitational 2023 tournament, the athlete secured his highest prize of $200,000.
GAPRiel Fernandes, known as "volpz," has joined the Team Liquid roster as their newest member. In the month of April, volpz emerged victorious in the prestigious Liga Canada 2023, securing a prize pool of $5,497. However, it was with W7M Esports at the Six Invitational 2023 where he achieved his highest accolade, earning an impressive $90,000 in prize money.
Gustavo "Herdsz" Herdina, the current in-game leader for W7M Esports, is currently showcasing his skills. With a staggering $94,711.00 in earnings, he has made quite a mark in the industry since 2023. Last year alone, he achieved a remarkable $25,804.00 in prize money, solidifying his position as one of the top earners in the esports scene. At the age of 22, this year has proven to be the pinnacle of success in his flourishing career.
The combined income of the ten players listed in 2023 amounts to $808,298, which is over $4 million.
Methodology
In April 2023, we conducted an analysis of over 5,000 Google searches for terms associated with eSports, encompassing searches for the names of the most popular games and Canadian athletes. To ascertain the popularity of eSports in Canada, we combined this data with the information provided by the eSports Earnings platform (esportsearnings.com) and Liquipédia (liquipedia.net).
The survey reveals:
- The popularity of eSports in Canada and worldwide.
- The most popular games in Canada
- The Canadian professional players who earn the most in Canada
Sources:
https://www.esportsearnings.com/
https://liquipedia.net/
https://ahrefs.com/
https://trends.google.com/
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