The mobile esports scene in the United States has been experiencing rapid growth, fueled by increasing mobile gaming adoption and a maturing competitive landscape.
Mobile gaming is no longer just a casual pastime — it is rapidly emerging as a dominant force in the global gaming industry, particularly in the United States.
The accessibility and widespread adoption of mobile devices are reshaping the landscape. As the number of gamers in the US continues to rise, data suggests that nearly half of them now prefer mobile as their primary platform, signaling a major shift in player habits.
This shift extends beyond casual gaming, with mobile esports also gaining momentum. Competitive mobile gaming tournaments are seeing record-breaking participation and viewership, and established esports ecosystems like the Snapdragon Pro Series continue to expand. It’s a sign that, like in many other parts of the world, a new era of competitive gaming is upon us.
Mobile is Gradually Becoming the Preferred Platform for Gaming
While PC and console gaming have traditionally dominated the gaming scene, mobile gaming has been gaining traction as a primary platform for casual play.
The number of gamers in the United States continues to rise, with data projecting an increase to 224 million players in 2025 from 221 million in 2024, according to the Newzoo Global Games Market Report 2024.
As per the Newzoo Global Gamer Study 2024, nearly half of all gamers (49%) prefer mobile as their primary platform. Newzoo’s Global Games Market Report from 2024 states, the number of mobile gamers in the US is expected to grow from 160 million in 2024 to 164 million in 2025.
Certain genres continue to dominate the US mobile gaming space. It is estimated by Sensor Tower that puzzle, arcade, and simulator games accounted for 59% of total downloads, equating to approximately 2.435 billion installs. Meanwhile, puzzle and strategy games generated the highest in-app purchase (IAP) revenue, generating $16.9 billion and representing 65.3% of total player spending.
Playing Habits of Mobile Gamers in the US
This growth is undeniably driven by the accessibility of mobile gaming, which allows players to compete anytime and anywhere without the need for high-end gaming PCs or consoles.
The Entertainment Software Association's (ESA) 2024 report shows that the number of people who play video games on their mobile device has grown from 33% in 2012 to 78% in 2024. Furthermore, Statista conducted a survey in March 2024 stating that among US adults who play games at least once a week, 20% spend more than 10 hours per week gaming on smartphones or tablets.
There are other reasons for the popularity of mobile games. In another survey by Statista, it was discovered that players tend to engage with mobile games to escape boredom or stress, compete in challenges, or socialize with others.
Mobile Esports Surges Forward
Competitive mobile gaming is also on the rise in the US, with a notable number of players engaging in esports tournaments.
The Snapdragon Pro Series (SPS), the world's largest multi-genre mobile esports competition, recorded increasing viewership over the past three years. Specifically, the North American esports scene saw significant hours watched across the years:
- Year 1: 285,565 hours
- Year 2: 363,000 hours
- Year 3: 843,617 hours
On top of this, 988,109 players and 10,393 teams from North America (NA) signed up for SPS tournaments in 2024 alone, as stated by ESL FACEIT Group. One of the standout tournaments organized by the SPS in 2024 was the Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship, which saw 16 of the world’s best teams compete for a share of the US $1 million prize pool and amassed incredible turnout at DreamHack Atlanta.
Given the exponential growth year on year in the United States (and NA as a whole), the level of engagement in the country’s mobile esports scene has the potential to reach extraordinary heights.
Games such as Brawl Stars, Free Fire, EA Sports FC Mobile, and Call of Duty: Mobile are already cementing themselves as one of the many esports titles making their mark in this growing esports ecosystem.
The Future of Mobile Esports in the USA
As mobile gaming continues to thrive, the esports scene is set to follow suit. The increasing number of mobile-first gamers, improved accessibility, and the establishment of structured competitive ecosystems indicate that mobile esports will remain a significant player in the industry.
With strong community support at the forefront, mobile esports in the USA is on track to reach new peaks, solidifying its place alongside traditional PC and console esports in the coming years.