While 2024 delivered unforgettable moments for esports fans, 2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for the industry. Major structural changes are on the horizon, with Valve implementing new Counter-Strike ecosystem rules that will significantly impact BLAST and ESL events. Meanwhile, Riot Games is shaking up the global League of Legends terrain by introducing two new leagues, LTA and LCP, along with a third international tournament.
Esports Insider reached out to key industry stakeholders to gain insight into the biggest developments expected in 2025. Experts were asked which sector will experience the most growth and what the industry needs to improve to ensure long-term success.
Industry Expectations for 2025
Steve Arhancet, CEO of Team Liquid, predicts that esports will firmly establish itself as a cultural powerhouse rather than a passing trend. He believes the industry has matured, with clear distinctions emerging between companies focused on sustainable business growth and those chasing short-term metrics. This, he says, will lead to further consolidation through mergers and acquisitions.
Alban Dechelotte, CEO of G2 Esports, echoes this sentiment, foreseeing a shift towards larger, more global organizations that can compete across multiple regions and game titles. Nicolas Maurer, CEO of Team Vitality, also expects a continuation of current trends, with a widening gap between industry leaders and smaller teams struggling to keep up.
According to Daniel Finkler, CEO of BIG, esports will continue its global expansion, with AI and data analytics revolutionizing key areas such as marketing, coaching, strategy, and fan engagement. He also anticipates the rise of diversified business models that ensure financial sustainability for teams.
Faisal Binhomran, Chief Product Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, predicts that mobile gaming will be the fastest-growing sector in esports. With increasing network capabilities and improving handheld devices, mobile esports is set to expand rapidly, building on the momentum of titles like PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
Hicham Chahine, CEO of Ninjas in Pyjamas, believes mobile esports will continue gaining mainstream recognition, further integrating into the global ecosystem. Animesh ‘8Bit Thug’ Agarwal, Co-Founder of S8UL, adds that the esports terrain will expand into more game titles, offering greater opportunities for players and audiences in emerging regions like South Asia and MENA.
Esports (image via Getty)Key Industry Targets for 2025
With the new year comes fresh objectives for esports organizations. Daniel Finkler aims to maintain BIG’s status as Germany’s leading esports organization by fostering local talent and expanding infrastructure. Robbie Douek, CEO of BLAST, is focused on strategic growth, refining operations, and raising the global standard for esports events.
Monica Dinsmore, Senior Director of Esports and Ventures Brand at Electronic Arts, prioritizes creating memorable experiences for players and fans across multiple platforms. Meanwhile, Michael Haenisch, CEO of Freaks 4U Gaming, seeks to expand into emerging markets through collaborations with NODWIN Gaming.
Other industry leaders, such as Moritz Maurer, CEO of GRID, are focused on establishing industry standards, particularly in data management for esports. Marco Mereu, CEO of M80, aims to diversify the company’s esports portfolio and strengthen its presence in North America. Nicolas Maurer of Team Vitality is determined to bring the organization back to its peak performance, particularly in VALORANT and CS2.
Challenges and Areas for Improvement
Industry leaders agree that monetization remains one of the biggest challenges in esports. Steve Arhancet stresses the need for revenue models beyond traditional sponsorships and advertising. He advocates for innovative fan monetization systems that are both rewarding and equitable.
Daniel Finkler believes financial stability must be a priority, urging better collaboration between publishers, teams, and tournament organizers. Alban Dechelotte highlights the importance of revenue-sharing models, with publishers taking a more team-friendly approach, as seen with Riot Games and Ubisoft.
Regulatory clarity and player welfare are also pressing concerns, according to Akshat Rathee, Co-founder of NODWIN Gaming. He emphasizes the need for uniform regulations across different markets to ensure industry-wide sustainability. Skyler Johnson, Founder of Paper Crowns, calls for greater transparency and open communication within the industry to foster growth and trust.
Grassroots development is another focal point. Animesh Agarwal believes the industry must establish clear pathways for amateur players to transition into professional esports. Craig Levine, co-CEO of ESL FACEIT Group, echoes this, pointing to the record-breaking engagement in grassroots events like DreamHack and Snapdragon Pro Series.
Esports (image via Getty)The Most Anticipated Esports Developments of 2025
VALORANT is expected to be one of the biggest esports success stories of 2025. Nicolas Maurer predicts Riot Games will push the title to new heights, capitalizing on its growing popularity. Akshat Rathee foresees VALORANT expanding its franchised leagues and engaging a larger global audience.
Mobile esports will also continue its upward trajectory. Animesh Agarwal highlights BGMI as a major title strengthening India’s esports ecosystem, while Hicham Chahine sees MLBB becoming more widely recognized as a top-tier global esport.
Daniel Finkler anticipates further dominance from Counter-Strike 2 and League of Legends, alongside emerging roles for Fortnite and mobile gaming. Alban Dechelotte points out that Valve’s Counter-Strike ecosystem changes will test how tournament organizers adapt to a new model.
Robbie Douek sees 2025 as a transformative year for Counter-Strike, with more events and greater opportunities than ever before. Meanwhile, Skyler Johnson hints that an entirely new game could shake up the industry, urging publishers to remain innovative with game development, map creation, and spectator experiences.
