Esports has never been more global or thriving than it is today. Over the past year, the industry has undergone significant shifts, with co-streaming becoming a major force in driving viewership. Western esports organizations are aggressively expanding into Southeast Asia, capitalizing on the mobile gaming boom. Meanwhile, the rise of new streaming platforms is pushing event organizers to explore fresh ways to connect with audiences.
TikTok’s Emergence as a Dominant Streaming Platform
Among these changes, TikTok has quietly carved out a substantial space in the esports streaming world. By the end of 2024, it has become a serious competitor to Twitch and YouTube. But what led to this meteoric rise? Which esports tournaments are thriving on the platform, and how large is the audience? Esports Charts breaks down TikTok’s growing influence and its future in competitive gaming.
Revolutionizing Live Streaming with TikTok Live
TikTok entered the live-streaming market in 2020 and has been evolving rapidly. The platform introduced a suite of features designed to enhance both the viewer and creator experience. From in-app event scheduling to TikTok Live Studio, a desktop-based streaming tool, the platform has made it easier than ever to broadcast. Additionally, TikTok has developed strong monetization tools that provide streamers with new revenue opportunities.
TikTok’s Rise in Esports (image via Getty)Interactive Gaming: A New Way to Engage Audiences
One of TikTok Live’s standout features is its interactive gaming streams, which allow audiences to actively participate in the content. Viewers can use virtual gifts, polls, and real-time challenges to influence gameplay. This transforms passive spectators into engaged participants, creating a unique level of interactivity that other platforms struggle to match. The platform has also introduced gamified elements such as mini-games and voting features, further redefining the streaming experience.
Strategic Partnerships Fueling Growth
TikTok has strategically positioned itself within the gaming and esports industry through high-profile partnerships. In August 2024, it became the official partner of Gamescom, one of the world’s most prestigious gaming conventions. Just a month earlier, it was named the official entertainment partner of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As part of this collaboration, TikTok introduced a dedicated esports hub featuring exclusive content from teams, players, and broadcasters.
A Dedicated Esports Section for Better Discoverability
In 2024, TikTok revamped its LIVE section by introducing a dedicated esports category. This separation from general gaming content helps esports-specific broadcasts reach a more targeted audience. Additionally, TikTok refined its content recommendation system, making it easier for streamers to grow their audience—much like YouTube’s algorithmic approach.
TikTok’s Rise in Esports (image via Getty)TikTok’s Focus on Gaming and Esports Expansion
TikTok has fully embraced gaming as a core part of its platform. ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, sees the esports industry as a high-growth area and is committed to expanding its influence. With a strong, engaged audience that is less likely to switch to competing platforms, TikTok is positioning itself as a dominant force in gaming content.
Western Streamers and Esports Tournaments Flock to TikTok Live
The popularity of multistreaming—where content creators broadcast simultaneously on multiple platforms—has led to a surge of Western streamers joining TikTok Live. Influential names like Tyler “Ninja” Blevins and Dylan “CaseOh” Baker, along with hundreds of other creators, have started streaming on the platform to tap into new audiences. Even major esports tournament organizers are following suit, recognizing TikTok’s growing influence in the industry.
TikTok’s Rapid Growth in Esports Viewership
TikTok Live hosted its first esports broadcasts shortly after launching its live-streaming feature in 2020. Early events, such as MPL PH Season 6 for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, drew thousands of viewers. By the end of that year, total watch time for esports content was just a few tens of thousands of hours. However, by 2024, that number had skyrocketed to nearly 200 million Hours Watched (HW), a staggering increase.
Mobile Esports Games Drive TikTok’s Viewership Boom
Mobile games were the first to dominate TikTok’s esports terrain. Titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, Arena of Valor, and Brawl Stars led the charge. While mobile games continue to generate the highest engagement, TikTok has also gained traction with desktop esports. Games like Dota 2, PUBG: Battlegrounds, League of Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone now have a growing presence on the platform.
Top Esports Titles on TikTok Live
Despite TikTok’s increasing focus on desktop games, mobile titles remain the platform’s biggest draw. At the end of 2024, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang accounted for an astonishing 65% of all esports watch time. PUBG Mobile and Arena of Valor followed, making up a significant portion of the remaining watch time. The highest-ranked desktop game, League of Legends, accounted for just under 5% of total hours watched.
(image via Getty)Regional Viewership Trends in Esports Streaming
TikTok’s dominance in esports is largely driven by Southeast Asia, with countries like Indonesia leading the way. In fact, nearly half of all esports viewership on the platform comes from Indonesia alone, where games like MLBB and PUBG Mobile are massively popular. By the end of 2024, Southeast Asia’s largest countries accounted for over 90% of TikTok’s total esports watch time.
However, other regions are beginning to show growth potential as well. English-language esports streams currently account for just over 4% of total watch time, a number that is expected to rise as TikTok expands its global presence. Markets such as Turkey, Spain, the Middle East, and Brazil are also seeing increasing engagement.
TikTok’s Future in Esports and Potential Challenges
TikTok has already surpassed platforms like Kick, SOOP (formerly AfreecaTV), NimoTV, and Trovo in terms of esports viewership. However, its long-term success depends on several factors, including regulatory challenges in key markets like the United States and Europe. In the US, the platform’s future remains uncertain, with ongoing discussions about potential bans or acquisitions by domestic companies. Similarly, European regulators continue to evaluate the platform’s operations, adding a layer of unpredictability.
