Sponsorship in esports: a rising trend in Spain

Sponsorship in esports in Spain has experienced a significant increase in recent years. Electronic sporting events have become an attractive platform for brands and companies, attracting their investment. Social media plays an important role in sponsor visibility, harnessing the power of digital marketing. Furthermore, the economic impact of sponsorships in esports is notable, with large investments by recognized companies. Advertisers face challenges and opportunities in this area, prioritizing strategy and avoiding common mistakes. The future of sponsorship in esports looks promising, with trends and areas of opportunity constantly evolving.

Sponsorship in esports in Spain

In recent years, sponsorship in esports has experienced significant growth in Spain. This phenomenon has led to an evolution in the way brands and companies engage in the world of esports.

The evolution of sponsorship in esports

Sponsorship in esports is not just about displaying a logo, but about being part of the fan experience and generating an emotional connection with them. In Spain, this type of sponsorship has evolved and has become an increasing trend.

The impact of sponsorships on electronic sports events

Sponsorships in electronic sporting events have a significant impact on the visibility of brands and companies. By partnering with esports teams and competitions, brands can reach a highly engaged target audience and generate unique-differentiating content for sponsors.

Brands and companies in the world of esports

In Spain, various brands and companies have ventured into sponsoring esports teams. Recognized brands such as Vodafone Giants, Team Heretics, Movistar Riders, Team Queso and x6tence are supported by companies such as Domino’s Pizza, MediaMarkt, KFC and Omen by HP.

The different types of sponsorship in esports

• Team sponsorship: Brands sponsor esports teams, allowing them to display their logo and generate a direct association with a particular team.
• Competition sponsorship: Brands sponsor esports competitions, giving them high visibility and the opportunity to reach a wide audience.
• Sponsorship of gamers and streamers: Brands sponsor popular gamers and streamers, allowing them to generate esports-related content and reach an engaged audience.

The benefits for esports clubs and teams

Sponsorship in esports offers numerous benefits for clubs and teams. In addition to financial support, sponsorship allows them to improve their infrastructure, recruit high-level players and participate in larger competitions.

Sponsorship in esports and social networks

Social networks play a fundamental role in sports sponsorship of esports, allowing greater interaction and connection with followers. Through platforms such as Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, sponsors can reach a broader audience and generate a greater impact on their sponsorship strategy.

The role of social networks in sports sponsorship

Social networks have become an essential channel for sports sponsorship in esports. These platforms allow sponsors to establish direct communication with fans and generate greater interest in their products or services. By publishing relevant and engaging content, sponsors can encourage fan engagement and increase their visibility in the esports space.

Digital marketing and opportunities in esports

Digital marketing offers numerous opportunities for sponsors in the esports space. Through strategies such as content marketing, inbound marketing or influencer marketing, brands can establish a solid presence in the esports sector. Digital marketing allows you to effectively reach fans through different channels, such as social networks, blogs or specialized websites, thus generating a greater impact and establishing a direct connection with the audience.

The influence of social networks on the visibility of sponsors in esports

Social networks play a determining role in the visibility of sponsors in esports. These platforms allow sponsors to reach a global audience and generate interaction with fans instantly. In addition, social networks offer the possibility of measuring and analyzing the impact of sponsorship actions, allowing brands to evaluate the return on investment and optimize their marketing strategies based on the results obtained.

The economic impact of sponsorship in esports

The economic impact of sponsorship in esports has been significant, as the sector has experienced rapid growth in recent years. Esports have become a lucrative market that attracts investments from brands and companies from various sectors.

The economic growth of the esports sector

The esports sector has seen an exponential increase in terms of revenue and economic opportunities. According to recent data, the annual growth of the esports market has reached impressive figures, with an increase of 42% in the last five years. This growth has been driven by the growing fan base and monetization of esports through sponsorships, streaming deals, and event ticket sales.

The main sponsors and their investment in esports sponsorships

In the world of esports, renowned brands such as Red Bull, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Intel have shown a strong commitment to sponsorship, investing large sums of money in esports competitions and teams. These brands recognize the potential of this sector in terms of audience reach and fan engagement, allowing them to connect with a diverse and engaged audience.

The economic value of sponsorship deals in esports

Sponsorship deals in esports have significant economic value for both esports clubs and teams and sponsoring brands. For teams, sponsorship provides an additional source of income that allows them to finance their operation, invest in infrastructure and retain talent. On the other hand, sponsoring brands gain visibility and exposure through strategic partnerships with high-profile teams and competitions, allowing them to increase their brand recognition and reach new audiences.

Sponsorship in esports: keys for advertisers

Sponsorship in esports presents a great opportunity for brands and companies that want to connect with the audience of this booming sector. Below are some important keys for advertisers who want to start a sponsorship strategy in esports.

How to start a sponsorship strategy in esports

To start an esports sponsorship strategy effectively, it is essential to follow the following steps:

• Define the objectives: It is important to establish the clear objectives that you want to achieve with sponsorship in esports, whether it is increasing the visibility of the brand, generating engagement with the audience or reaching a new market.
• Identify the target audience: Knowing the audience you want to reach is essential to adapt the sponsorship strategy. Esports cover a wide range of demographic segments, so it is necessary to define who you want to target in the campaign.
• Select the sponsorship type: There are different ways to sponsor esports, from sponsoring teams or competitions to sponsoring players or streamers. It is important to analyze the options and choose the one that best suits the brand’s objectives and budget.
• Establish strategic agreements: Once the sponsorship modality has been selected, it is necessary to establish agreements with the appropriate partners. It is important to conduct extensive research on teams, players or competitions to ensure they align with the brand’s values and goals.

The main challenges and opportunities for advertisers in esports

Sponsorship in esports presents both challenges and opportunities for advertisers. Some of the challenges include:

• Market competition: The esports sector is highly competitive, so it is important to stand out among other brands and capture the attention of the target audience.
• Authenticity and relevance: To be successful in esports sponsorship, it is essential to be authentic and relevant to the gaming community. Sponsors should be careful not to appear intrusive or distant from gamer culture.
• Measuring ROI: Measuring the return on investment in esports sponsorship can be challenging. It is essential to establish clear metrics and track results to evaluate the impact of sponsorship actions.

At the same time, there are various opportunities for advertisers:

• Large audience and engagement: Esports have a large audience and a high level of engagement, which allows brands to reach a highly engaged user base.
• Innovation in advertising formats: Esports are driving innovation in digital advertising, allowing brands to explore new creative and effective advertising formats.

The impact of sponsorship on the brand image of companies

Sponsorship in esports can have a strong impact on the brand image of companies. By partnering with esports, brands can show their commitment to innovation, youth, technology and the passion for video games. This can help improve brand perception and reputation, especially among young and technological audiences.

Common mistakes to avoid in esports sponsorship

To be successful in esports sponsorship, it is important to avoid some common mistakes. Some of them are:

• Sponsor direct competitors: It is crucial to select teams, competitions or players that are not sponsored by direct competitors, to avoid confusion and conflicts of interest.
• Not clearly defining the investment: It is important to establish from the beginning what the investment will be and the terms of the sponsorship, to avoid misunderstandings or future problems.

Success stories in the sponsorship of esports teams and competitions

Sponsoring esports teams and competitions has proven to be a successful investment for many brands. Next, we will analyze some notable cases that have been successful in this area:

Case study of brands that have been successful in sponsoring esports teams

• Brand X in team A. Brand X has achieved a successful partnership with team A, one of the main references in esports. Their sponsorship strategy included placing their logo on the team’s uniform, as well as collaborating on joint projects and participating in events. The visibility gained through this partnership has led to greater brand recognition and a stronger connection with the esports fan community.
• Brand Y on team B. Brand Y decided to go for a partnership with team B, which at that time was on the rise in the competitive esports scene. Through sponsorship, the Y brand was able to capitalize on the team’s momentum and growing popularity. This allowed them to increase the visibility of their brand and reach a broader target audience. In addition, team B also benefited from receiving the necessary resources for its development and participation in high-level competitions.
• Brand Z on Team C. Brand Z decided to go beyond traditional sponsorship and entered into a strategic partnership with Team C. This collaboration involved co-creating exclusive esports-related content, such as promotional videos and live streams. Additionally, the Z brand organized special events where fans had the opportunity to meet and interact with the team’s players. This strategy allowed them to generate a deeper emotional connection with the fan community and strengthen brand identity in the esports field.

The benefits and results obtained by sponsored teams

Teams that have been sponsored by brands in esports have obtained a series of benefits and positive results. Some of them are:

• Obtaining financial and infrastructure resources to improve your performance and participate in high-level competitions.
• Increased visibility and recognition within the esports community, allowing them to attract new talent and fans.
• Collaborations with sponsoring brands to create exclusive content, which generates greater interaction and engagement with the audience.
• Access to special events and opportunities, such as esports-related conferences and conventions, allows them to strengthen their presence in the industry.

The impact of sponsorship on esports competitions

Sponsorship in esports competitions has had a significant impact on the development and growth of this sector. Some of the most notable effects are:

• Increase in the number of competitions and tournaments thanks to the financial support of sponsoring brands.
• Improvement in the quality of competitions, since sponsors provide resources for the organization and more attractive prizes.
• Greater visibility of competitions through the dissemination of sponsoring brands, which attracts more spectators and generates interest in new participants.
• Promoting the professionalization of esports, by providing players and teams with opportunities for development and growth.

The future of sponsorship in esports

The world of esports continues to evolve rapidly, and this also affects the field of sponsorship. As the sector continues to gain popularity and grow, it is crucial to understand the trends and forecasts that will shape the future of sponsorship in the coming years.

Trends and forecasts for sponsorship in the coming years

1. Market Diversification: As esports establishes itself as a major industry, greater diversification is expected to occur in the sponsorship market. This implies that more brands, both endemic and non-endemic, are interested in being part of the world of esports.
2. Greater investment from non-endemic brands: As mentioned above, 55% of the brands that sponsor esports are non-endemic. This trend will likely continue in the coming years as brands across various sectors find opportunities to connect with esports’ target audiences.
3. Integration of new technologies: Sponsorship in esports will continue to advance and adapt to new emerging technologies. Elements such as big data, fan tokens, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain technology will be increasingly used to improve the fan experience and offer new sponsorship opportunities.

Areas of opportunity in esports sponsorship

1. Innovative brand content: In an increasingly competitive environment, brands will have the opportunity to stand out through the generation of innovative and creative content. Sponsorship in esports provides the opportunity to create unique and exciting experiences for fans, which can lead to a deeper connection with the brand.
2. Strategic collaborations: Sponsoring esports teams and competitions is not only limited to brand exposure but also offers the opportunity to establish strategic collaborations. Brands can leverage the influence and reach of esports teams and players to promote products and services more effectively.
3. Immersive experiences: Esports are characterized by their immersion and active participation of fans. Brands can take advantage of this feature to create interactive, personalized experiences that engage fans more directly. This can include everything from tournaments and live events to exclusive content and special promotions.

The importance of innovation and change in esports sponsorship

In an environment as dynamic as esports, innovation and change are key to staying relevant and making the most of sponsorship opportunities. Brands must be willing to adapt to new trends and technologies, look for new ways to interact with fans and be creative in their approach to sponsorship.

The implementation of innovative strategies, such as the use of virtual reality or the creation of gamified experiences, can make a difference and allow brands to stand out in the world of esports. Additionally, being willing to take calculated risks and try unconventional approaches can be an effective way to capture the attention and interest of fans.