Here at esportsguide, we’ve been vocal about the fact that mobile esports is on the rise. Accordingly, we’re constantly questioning which are the top 5 mobile esports out there. Bearing this in mind, feel free to read on to learn our take on this exciting topic!
Before proceeding, let’s discuss the protocol for the ranking. Similar to our Esports Tier Lists, the ‘level/rating’ of an esport is multifactorial. For example, here are some criteria which will help us list the mobile esports today:
Event Proportions – Size of prize pools, number of participants, third and first party organizers, environment and arena capacities
Event frequency – is the year bursting with competition or solely reliant on infrequent first-party organizers
Competitiveness – the level of competition in an esports scene is related to its livelihood
State of the community – health of the lower tier sectors and general condition of the esport as a dynamic entity
With that being said, do note that regardless of the numbers, this is ultimately an opinionated list.
Let’s dive into Number 5!
#5 – Clash Royale
A couple years ago, the mobile game developer of SuperCell literally owned all of mobile gaming. One fruit of this was one of the very first mobile esports in the form of Clash Royale.
Accordingly, let’s take a look at the recent viewership statistics for this strategy game. Note that all viewership details are taken from Esports Charts. Let’s see how the yearly Clash Royale League World Finals has done:
- 2018 – 361,849 Peak Viewers
- 2019 – 133,046 Peak Viewers
- 2020 – 112,578 Peak Viewers
Although slowing down since 2020, the title is still worth placing at fifth on our list.
At this fifth spot we also considered a few other contenders such as CoD Mobile and potentially Wild Rift. However, due to the recent improvements with Brawl Stars, it earned this spot.
#4 – Brawl Stars
Continuing things at number 4 is a mobile esport that we actually do not feature on esportsguide. Indeed, one of the more recent mobile titles from last year – it’s Brawl Stars.
Accordingly, there is an awesome frequency of events in this esport together with some great viewership. Take a look at the viewership statistics for the 2020 iteration of the Brawl Stars World Finals:
- Peak Viewers – 258,446
- Average Viewers – 134,119
Beyond these great numbers, it’s also simply fun to watch overall. What Brawl Stars needs next is to expand to a global approach.
#3 – Arena of Valor/Kings of Glory – Top 5 Mobile Esports
Entering the ring at third place, we have our very own featured title of Arena of Valor and its Chinese version Kings of Glory. As the only mobile MOBA on the list, the title is incredibly successful at attrcting a tonne of worldwide attention with its massive events.
Here are a few examples of some events together with their viewership figures:
- Arena of Valor Premier League 2020 – Peak Viewers 670,768
- Arena of Valor International Championship 2020 – Peak Viewers 568,453
- 2021 Arena of Valor World Cup 2021 – Peak Viewers 550,057
Overall, it’s a very impressive mobile esport due to the size, frequency and gravity of events. In fact, it could easily be in the top 2 were it not for the incredible viewership numbers of the leaders.
#2 – Garena Free Fire
The way competitive Free Fire invaded the esports industry last year was simply mindblowing. Although not being entirely new, last year is when the title starting atracting worldwide attention following some staggering viewership numbers.
Take a look for yourself below:
- Free Fire World Series 2021 Singapore – 5,414,953 Peak Viewers
- Free Fire Continental Series 2020 Asia – 2,556,046 Peak Viewers
- 2020 Free Fire Continental Series Americas – 1,718.508 Peak Viewers
However, viewership alone doesn’t make an esport. Accordingly, with how relatively young Free Fire is, all it needs to work on now is penetrating the global market better to regions such as North America and Europe.
On the other hand, that’s exactly what our number 1 pick gets right.
#1 – PUBG Mobile – Top 5 Mobile Esports
Yes, we’re certain that some of you guess correctly – PUBG Mobile is our number one mobile esport as of right now. Overall, the esport simply gets everything right.
For one thing, viewership is also awesome, although Free Fire does edge it out slightly:
- PMGC Season 0 – 3,801,998 Peak Viewers
- PUBG Mobile World League 2020 East – 1,153,865 Peak Viewers
- PUBG Mobile Pro League Season 3 2021 SA Finals – 1,117,367 Peak Viewers
Again, what really makes PUBG Mobile stand out is its determination to host regional leagues in an incredible number of countries. For the most part, it’s almost too much to cover!
Together with this incredible number of events all over the world, the major events which follow always hit hard and the competition is great.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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