HomeMain MenuPress ReleasesQeSports set to drive Australian and New Zealand esports market to new heights

QeSports set to drive Australian and New Zealand esports market to new heights

QeSports set to drive Australian and New Zealand esports market to new heights

Aquis Entertainment (ASX:AQS) and Executive Sports and Entertainment (ESE), an industry leader in the esports sector in Australia and New Zealand, have today announced the establishment of QeSports – a joint venture set to aggressively invest in the booming esports market.

QeSports will focus on innovation in community and event development, consultancy and the development of purpose built esports stadia infrastructure across Australia and New Zealand. The new business will Leverage ESE’s experience in traditional sport and their part-ownership of the Bombers (a professional League of Legends esports team) along with Aquis Entertainment’s experience in entertainment venue development and management.

The global esports market is growing at 26% year on year according to research house Newzoo and as media consumption habits continue to evolve, the industry is expected to be worth $1.5 billion by 2020. Global audiences were estimated at 287 million in 2017 with 20% audience growth predicted between 2017 and 2019. Just last week, Epic Games, the publisher of Fortnite, announced its push into competitive gaming with a US$100m prize pool for season 2018-19.

Domestically, the Australian esports audience has more than doubled in the past five years according to Nielsen Esports Playbook research. Australia currently boasts 11 million gamers, an active esports audience of 3.2 million and 46% awareness of the esports category.

QeSports CEO, Rohan Sawyer says that this partnership will allow QeSports to develop assets and new initiatives that are a first in the Australian esports space, with fit for purpose products that are gamer-centric. In addition, he says they will focus on helping companies and brands understand why and how they should invest in the esports space while offering talent management solutions to professional players.

“Esports is disrupting mainstream sport and the growth in audience and engagement should not be underestimated. They’re digital natives, early adopters and high spenders”.
“Australia is becoming a focus of major publishers and brands for investment and we’re aiming to be the market leader across all segments of the esports ecosystem”
Jessica Mellor, CEO of Aquis Entertainment believes a push into the esports market is a natural progression for the group.
“Aquis Entertainment’s vision is to provide Australia with next generation entertainment and our move into the esports market is very much in line with our strategy”.
“Australians are well known for their passion for traditional sports and we’re starting to see this translate to esports as the sector matures”.
“Two-thirds of Australian esports fans are aged 18-34 and that’s a market segment we know very well. This, coupled with our experience in entertainment venue operations, puts us in a strong position to meet a wide range of expanding needs in the esports space”

About Executive Sports & Entertainment (ESE)

Executive Sports and Entertainment (ESE) is a leader in events, sports and entertainment in the Australian Market and was established in 1998. Founders Leon Spellson and Rohan Sawyer have over 30 years of experience working across all major sporting codes, as well as in global events and entertainment. ESE have a strong history working with clients across the NRL, AFL and Cricket in Australia, as well as the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. ESE’s simple philosophy is to deliver optimal outcomes for its stakeholders. ESE esports part-owns the largest brand in Australian and New Zealand esports – the Bombers, a professional League of Legends team in the Oceanic Pro League, and have an extensive network in the esports industry worldwide.

About Aquis Entertainment
Aquis Entertainment is on a mission to deliver landmark projects and events that have the potential to completely redefine the economic landscapes of their host cities.
Aquis Entertainment owns Casino Canberra in Australia’s capital, and has lodged a detailed business case for the development of an entertainment precinct in the heart of the CBD.
Specialising in the development and operation of integrated resort projects, concentrating a range of attractions into single, large scale facilities the greater Aquis group’s world class operational team has lead expansion throughout Australia with a full-scale Thoroughbred and breeding operation and several hotel developments on the horizon.

Majority shareholder and chairman Tony Fung has more than 40 years’ experience in global financial services and investment, including more than 15 years as an active investor in Australia. Mr Fung has become a leading investor across a range of categories in Asia, US and Australia.