2.7B hours of esports tournaments were watched in 2025 thanks to the rise of co-streaming

FRISCO, TX / ACCESS Newswire / July 8, 2026 / Stream Hatchet, the leading provider of data analytics for the live streaming and gaming ecosystem and wholly-owned subsidiary of GameSquare Holdings (NASDAQ:GAME) ("GameSquare", or the "Company"), has released its Esports Live Streaming Trends Report. The report reveals key insights into the evolution of the global esports market relevant to game publishers, esports organizers, and brands.

Access to the report is available at: https://streamhatchet.com/reports/esports-live-streaming-trends/

"According to Stream Hatchet's proprietary data, esports continues to prove that it is one of the most powerful global platforms for audience engagement, with billions of hours watched annually across the world's leading titles, tournaments and creators," said Justin Kenna, CEO of GameSquare. "In 2025, this level of engagement exceeded the total hours of live NBA 2025-26 regular season game coverage consumed across linear and streaming platforms, excluding NBA League Pass, in all measured global markets. Stream Hatchet's latest report also underscores the growing importance of co-streaming, mobile esports and creator-led distribution in how fans discover, watch and engage with esports."

Key Insights from Stream Hatchet's Esports Trends Report:

• Of the 2.7B total hours watched across 1.9K tracked esports events in 2025, League of Legends and Counter-Strike accounted for nearly 45% (1.2B hours watched). Two titles drove almost half of esports demand!

• Growing trends across esports viewership? Co-streaming made up 52.9% of all esports hours watched in 2025, while mobile esports is getting more popular with 42.4K average viewers per tournament vs. 38.3K for non-mobile events.

• Tournaments headlined by brands drove 27.9% of all esports hours watched in 2025, with examples like BLAST, StarLadder, BetBoom, and Red Bull doubling down on their gaming-adjacent identities.

• Esports tracking tools have evolved:

  • Live dashboards track real-time, mid-event stats

  • Creator tools track sponsored creators while discovering emerging talent

  • Chat analysis reveals when and how fans engage, giving organizers and publishers a far deeper view of their audience than ever before.

For more information on Stream Hatchet and insight into the esports and streaming markets, please visit their website at www.streamhatchet.com.

About GameSquare Holdings, Inc.

GameSquare (NASDAQ:GAME) is a cutting-edge media, entertainment, and technology company transforming how brands and publishers connect with Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and Millennial audiences. With a platform that spans award-winning creative services, advanced analytics, and FaZe Esports, one of the most iconic gaming organizations, we operate one of the largest gaming media networks in North America. As a digital-native business, GameSquare provides brands with unparalleled access to world-class creators and talent, delivering authentic connections across gaming, esports, and youth culture. Complementing our operating strategy, GameSquare has developed an innovative treasury management program designed to generate yield and enhance capital efficiency, reinforcing our commitment to building a dynamic, high-performing media company at the intersection of culture, technology, and next-generation financial innovation.

To learn more, visit www.gamesquare.com.

About Stream Hatchet

Stream Hatchet delivers real-time, actionable insights into the gaming and live-streaming ecosystem across 16 platforms. From performance benchmarking to campaign ROI and influencer intelligence, Stream Hatchet empowers game publishers, brands, agencies, and tournament organizers with the industry's most granular data and reporting tools.

For more information visit www.streamhatchet.com.

Forward-Looking Information

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Investor Relations
Andrew Berger
Phone: (216) 464-6400
Email: ir@gamesquare.com

Media Relations
Chelsey Northern / The Untold
Phone: (254) 855-4028
Email: pr@gamesquare.com

SOURCE: GameSquare Holdings, Inc.