Newzoo’s latest quarterly update states that Southeast Asia will have 9.5 million esports enthusiasts in 2016, and more notably, that this number will double by 2019.
You can check out the firm’s Global Esports Market Report here. 
The total esports audience in the region, which also takes into account ‘Occasional Viewers’, will reach 19.9 million this year and exceed 40 million in 2019.
These numbers are the result of an extensive study performed in emerging regions, including primary consumer research in the major counties of Southeast Asia, live event attendance analysis, and validation by local partners.
What Newzoo refers to as ‘Southeast Asian Esports Enthusiasts’ will grow with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of +36.1% between 2015 and 2019 which’ll see it reach just shy of 20 million. This is the fastest growth in that period globally.
By way of comparison the number of ‘Latin American Esports Enthusiasts’ will grow +24.7% between 2015 and 2019, still some way above the global average of +19.1% for the same period. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, or the Big 6, account for more than 98% of Esports Enthusiasts in the region.
2016 has been significant in terms of live events in esports in Southeast Asia, with ESL One Manila and the Manila Major Dota 2 tournaments were the major highlights. Furthermore, a partnership between Smilegate and ESL saw the formation of the CrossFire Stars Invitational: Manila, a world championship CrossFire event.
Esports Insider says: With many companies and brands wondering where to invest in esports, this report states that now is definitely the time to get at least a foot in the door in the Southeast Asian region.
