Saturday, November 14, 2026

Free-To-Play Boom

League of Legends

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

“League of Legends” is an undisputed heavyweight. 

Riot Games’ flagship title generated nearly $1.75 billion in revenue in 2020, the most by any non-mobile free-to-play game. It was No. 6 for free-to-play games overall: 

  1. Honor Kings (Tencent) — $2.45 billion
  2. Peacekeeper Elite (Tencent) — $2.32 billion
  3. Roblox (Roblox Corp.) — $2.29 billion
  4. Free Fire (Garena) — $2.13 billion
  5. Pokémon GO (Niantic, Inc.) — $1.92 billion

Free-to-play games account for 78% of the video game industry’s revenue.

2020 was a bit of a resurgence for “League of Legends.” After its revenue peaked at $2.1 billion in 2017, it fell to $1.4 billion and $1.5 billion in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Last year’s jump is in line with the massive growth of the entire industry. Global video game revenue is expected to increase 20% year-over-year to nearly $175 billion when final 2020 figures are reported.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Brentford - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - October 10, 2026 Aston Villa's Boubacar Kamara applauds fans after the match

English Soccer Still Inundated by Gambling Ads Despite Jersey Ban

The ban on front-of-shirt gambling ads looks strict, but it’s largely cosmetic.
West Wind Mahjong

Mahjong Mania Has Come for College Sports

Bespoke retailers are cashing in with officially licensed mahjong sets.

Can MLS Capitalize on Son-Mania?

Korea and Tottenham fans alike have flocked to LAFC’s away matches.
Pickering High School North

High School Athletic Directors Say They’re Running ‘Mini Colleges’

ADs are managing a growing list of demands from athletes and parents.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

11/13/26 – NFL Ratings Records, Softball Players Unionize, Skubal Deal Looms

0:00

Featured Today

How Injuries Hit Pro Marathoners in the Wallet

Staying healthy can get expensive—quickly.
Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match
October 21, 2026

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
October 15, 2026

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.

NBA Draws New Lines on What Fans Can Bet On

The league is restricting risky player props.
May 8, 2025

FanDuel Misses Projections As Betting Favorites Dominate

FanDuel is hit by customer-friendly betting outcomes during March Madness.
June 4, 2025

Thunder Favored, but Bettors Backing Pacers Big in NBA Finals

The most bet-on exact series outcome is the Thunder winning in five.
Sponsored

How Jeremy Bloom Is Reinventing the X Games

Jeremy Bloom discusses transforming the X Games into a global brand.
Fanduel
March 4, 2025

FanDuel Retains Sports Betting Crown With $14B in Revenue

The FanDuel parent company posts big increases in revenue and net income.
February 20, 2025

Americans Bet $148 Billion on Sports in 2024, Up 23.6%

Both overall handle and revenue rose by more than 20% last year.
DraftKings app
February 14, 2025

Lawsuit Says DraftKings VIP Program ‘Preyed On’ Gambling Addicts

The company’s being sued for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
August 20, 2024

Beloved ‘Backyard Sports’ Brand To Relaunch After Decade Hiatus

“Backyard Baseball” was a turn-of-the-century computer hit.