The Esports world is about to experience some change and possible expansion in Canada. That’s because New Wave Esports Corp. has entered into an agreement to purchase Even Matchup Gaming. The purchase price of $1.23 million will be split between shares and cash ($550,000) paid out over six months. At the end of that timeframe, NWE will own all of EMG. New Wave Esports is a company that is dedicated to helping competitive gaming and esports reach its fullest potential. EMG, meanwhile, is a company specializing in both broadcasting and producing online fighting game community esports tournaments. New Wave already owned 18% of EMG, which is based on Toronto, before this deal. Now, NWE will have the ability to capitalize on the growing and booming esports industry in Canada.
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Esports expansion expected
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Canada already has a pretty robust esport landscape, but it is expected to expand even further with this deal between NWE and EMG. EMG has held 500 events in various levels throughout Canada in its quest to dominate the landscape of esports.
On an annual basis, EMG hosts roughly 80 events. The most important is the Get on My Level event, which is the largest fighting game tournament in all of Canada. The other is the Let’s Make Moves tournament. Both of these events attracted 2,100 and 1,000 attendees, respectively, in 2019 alone. And in addition, they attracted almost 1 million views on livestream platforms.
The fighting game community of games includes tournaments on esports games such as Dragon Ball Fighter Z as well as Super Smash Bros. Want to try your hand at betting on esports in Canada. Check out the online sportsbook below.
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New Wave Sports already has a robust platform
New Wave Sports is adding to its already impressive portfolio with this acquisition of Even Matchup Gaming. New Wave Sports already owned PlayLine, which is a daily fantasy sports platform that was co-founded by Michael Bisping, the one-time UFC middleweight champion. It also owns Tidal Gaming, which owns and operators the premier esports team Lazarus, which is based in Canada. And, finally, it owns Thunderbolt CDG, a software technology and applications development company.
Now that New Wave Sports has acquired Even Matchup Gaming, it has plenty of opportunities to help take esports in Canada to the next level, as the industry is growing by leaps and bounds every day.
Esports is big business
Newzoo, an esports analytics firm, estimates that approximately 1.5 people in Canada watch esports at least one time each month. This is typically done on livestream platform Twitch.
Esports have become huge competitions, with approximately $150.8 million in prize money available for players during 2018 alone. Revenue from esports across the globe was projected to hit roughly $1.1 billion this year, which would represent a 26.7% increase year over year.
Industry experts predict that by 2022, esports revenue will reach $1.8 billion, which will include ticket and merchandise sales, sponsorships, advertising and media rights. No longer is esports just a niche industry with alternative fan bases. It has become a major industry in Canada and across the globe.
That’s why New Wave Sports’ acquisition of Even Matchup Gaming is not a surprise. More and more digital media and esports companies are snatching up competitors and complementary businesses in an effort to expand the services they already offer and capitalize on a blossoming new industry with more and more players — and more and more fans — interested every year.
Some online sportsbooks are even offering wagering options on esports events. To check out some available betting options, check out one of the the online sportsbooks below.
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