For several reasons, the Esports industry is set to be worth over $1 billion in 2019.

2018 was a landmark year for the Esports industry, and the groundwork has been set for the industry to reach a new milestone. Global revenues for the Esports industry are growing even faster than last year. The world’s most valuable Esports team, Cloud9, raised $50 million in funding, after which Forbes pegged them with a $310 million valuation. A total of nine other Esports teams are worth more than $100 million at the moment.

The Esports industry has received several boosts in recent years. Big investors like Mark Cuban have been investing in the industry for years already. Celebrity endorsements from athletes including Michael Jordan have also helped push the space forward. In even better news for the business, 2018 saw many new brands enter the Esports industry, increasing revenues from advertising and sponsorships. Many of the companies that have rushed towards Esports are not even gaming companies, but are as wide-ranging as telecom companies, auto manufacturers, and everything in between.

Much of this growth in the Esports industry is simply due to the number of investors and companies that want in on the action. 2018 was the year that the industry entered the mainstream, but some estimates place the value of the industry at $1.6 billion by 2021. It is hoped by many in the industry that Esports and the top Esports teams will grow large enough to be equal to or bigger than the traditional sports industry.