What comes to mind when you think about “e-sports”? Perhaps a decade ago, the term “e-sports” was an unfamiliar, foreign term. E-sports is defined as competition using electronic gaming systems. Research shows that times have changed, and, with it, the role that “e-sports” plays in the everyday lives of people in 2016.

According to a news report by Newzoo, a research firm, e-sports viewership has begun to catch up with traditional sports viewership. Approximately 15% of millennials aged 21-35 watch e-sports, which is a dramatic increase comparing it to the e-sports viewership of the past decade. Additionally, approximately 22% of millennial males aged 21-35 watch e-sports, which surpasses the viewership of ice hockey and almost surpasses that of baseball at this age bracket. The Newzoo report stated that “76% of e-sports enthusiasts state that their e-sports viewing is taking away from hours they used to spend on viewing sports.” Newzoo also predicts that e-sports will earn $1.1 billion in revenues by 2019.

Based on all these statistics, it is safe to conclude that, as the X and Y generations grow up, e-sports is and will become a constantly bigger part of society. Because millennials, unlike past generations, have grown up with the presence of video games, e-sports has slowly become a part of life. With all the attention and revenue beginning to pour in, many companies and sports brands have begun to invest in e-sports. For example, this past month, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired e-sports teams Dignitas and Apex.

In an increasingly technologically evolving world, e-sports will only continue to grow. As e-sports progress and expands, it will eventually take as important of a role as traditional sports has been.

You can find the Newzoo report here.