Global Fantasy Sports Market Size Likely to Reach at a CAGR of 14.6% By 2033

As per the current market research conducted by CMI Team, the global Fantasy Sports Market size is expected to record a CAGR of 14.6% from 2023 to 2032. In 2022, the market size is projected to reach a valuation of USD 19.1 billion. By 2032, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 50.4 billion.

Fantasy Sports Market: Growth Factors and Dynamics

• Increasing Popularity: The growing popularity of Fantasy Sports is a key driver for market growth. The engaging and interactive nature of fantasy sports platforms, along with the opportunity for fans to create their virtual teams and compete with others, has attracted a large user base globally.

• Broadening Sports Portfolio: The availability of a wide range of sports in fantasy platforms has contributed to market growth. Initially focused on traditional sports like football, baseball, and basketball, fantasy sports now include a diverse range of sports such as cricket, soccer, esports, and even niche sports, catering to a broader audience.

• Monetization Opportunities: The Fantasy Sports market offers various monetization opportunities, driving its growth. Revenue streams include entry fees, sponsorships, advertising, partnerships with sports leagues, and premium features or subscription models, providing financial incentives for platforms and stakeholders to invest in the market.

• Regulatory Support: The regulatory landscape surrounding fantasy sports has evolved, with many jurisdictions recognizing its skill-based nature and differentiating it from traditional gambling. Regulatory support, in the form of favourable legislation and clear guidelines, has provided a conducive environment for market growth and increased investor confidence.

• Social Integration and Community Building: The social aspect of Fantasy Sports, where users can connect, compete, and interact with fellow sports enthusiasts, has been a significant growth driver. Platforms have integrated social features such as chat forums, leaderboards, and team-sharing options, fostering a sense of community and engagement among users.

• Global Expansion and Emerging Markets: The Fantasy Sports market has witnessed global expansion, with increasing popularity in various regions and the emergence of new markets. As the concept gains traction in countries outside of traditional markets, such as the United States, opportunities for growth arise in regions like Asia, Latin America, and Europe, contributing to the overall market expansion.

• Technological Advancements: Advancement particularly in mobile devices and internet access, have been critical in the expansion of the Fantasy Sports sector. Users can engage in fantasy sports leagues whenever and wherever they choose thanks to easy access to cell phones and high-speed internet, which contributes to industry expansion.

• Enhanced User Engagement: Opportunities lie in enhancing user engagement through gamification, interactive features, and personalized experiences. Features like player rankings, virtual competitions, social interaction, and rewards can increase user retention, participation, and overall market growth.

• Integration with Sports Betting: The integration of fantasy sports with sports betting presents opportunities to cater to users interested in both activities. Platforms can explore partnerships and features that allow participants to engage in fantasy sports and sports betting, providing a comprehensive and immersive sports gaming experience.

Fantasy Sports Market: Partnership and Acquisitions

• DraftKings Inc. and ESPN: DraftKings and ESPN announced a multi-year deal in 2019, allowing DraftKings to become the official provider of daily fantasy sports programming and promotions across ESPN’s platforms.

• DraftKings Inc. and VSiN: DraftKings bought Vegas Sports Information Network (VSiN), a multi-platform sports media company, in 2021 with the intention of integrating VSiN’s sports betting information and analysis into its fantasy sports and sports betting platforms.

• The National Football League (NFL) and DraftKings announced a collaboration in 2020, recognising DraftKings as the NFL’s official daily fantasy sports partner.

• FanDuel Group and Major League Baseball (MLB): In 2020, FanDuel became an authorized gaming operator of MLB, allowing MLB content and promotions to be integrated into FanDuel’s fantasy sports and sports betting platforms.

Report Scope

Fantasy Sports Market: COVID-19 Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the Fantasy Sports Market, with the industry experiencing both positive and negative effects. Here are some of the key impacts:

• Disruption of Sporting Events: The COVID-19 pandemic caused the suspension or cancellation of numerous sporting events worldwide. With no live sports taking place, the availability of real-time player performances and data significantly decreased, leading to a temporary decline in user engagement and participation in fantasy sports.

• Shift in User Behaviour: During the pandemic, with limited sports events, some fantasy sports users shifted their focus to alternative forms of entertainment or engagement. The uncertainty and disruption caused by COVID-19 affected user enthusiasm and may have resulted in a temporary decline in user acquisition and activity in the Fantasy Sports market.

• Return of Sports: As sports events gradually resumed with appropriate safety measures, the availability of live games and real-time data began to normalize. This helped rekindle user interest and participation in fantasy sports, leading to a recovery in the market.

• Enhanced Digital Engagement: During the pandemic, fantasy sports platforms focused on enhancing digital engagement by introducing innovative features, such as virtual leagues, esports fantasy, and interactive social components. These efforts aimed to keep users engaged and connected, leading to increased activity and market recovery.

• Resilience of Fan Base: The dedicated fan base of fantasy sports demonstrated resilience during the pandemic. As live sports returned, enthusiasts quickly re-engaged with fantasy sports platforms, leveraging their passion for sports and the competitive spirit of fantasy gaming.

• Expansion into New Sports: Fantasy sports platforms explored new opportunities by expanding into non-traditional sports or niche markets. This diversification allowed users to participate in fantasy leagues for sports that were less impacted by COVID-19, such as esports, which helped sustain and drive market recovery.

In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a mixed impact on the Fantasy Sports Market, with some challenges and opportunities arising from the pandemic. Manufacturers and retailers need to remain agile and adapt to the changing market conditions to overcome these challenges and capitalize on new growth opportunities.

List of the prominent players in the Fantasy Sports Market:

• DraftKings Inc.
• FanDuel Group
• Yahoo Fantasy Sports
• ESPN Fantasy Sports
• CBS Sports Fantasy
• NFL Fantasy Football
• FOX Bet Super 6
• SuperDraft
• RTSports
• Sleeper
• Others

The Fantasy Sports Market is segmented as follows:

By Sports Type

• Football
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Hockey
• Cricket
• Others

By Platform

• Website
• Mobile Application

By Age Group

• UNDER 25 YEARS
• 25 – 40 YEARS
• ABOVE 40 YEARS

By Region

North America

• The U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico

Europe

• France
• The UK
• Spain
• Germany
• Italy
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America