On the 20th, the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA) announced the results of a study conducted over the last year, titled 'Economic Impact of Esports Tournaments and Expansion of Tax Benefits.' The study, which spanned five months of consultation with key stakeholders in the esports ecosystem such as game publishers and professional teams, aims to build a solid institutional foundation for the industry's sustainable growth.

The researchers developed and deployed the MEEI (Multi-layered Esports Economic Impact) model, a bespoke analytical tool for the sector. Standard sports metrics often fail to capture the nuances of digital viewership and IP-based value, which leads to the economic contribution of esports being significantly undervalued. By contrast, the MEEI model quantifies both tangible and intangible assets by tracking digital metrics such as online ad reach and the consumption patterns of global fandoms.

The MEEI model was applied to a diverse range of events, including the 2023 League of Legends World Championship, the 2022 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), the 2024 VALORANT Champions, the 2024 LCK (League of Legends Champions Korea) Summer Finals, the 2025 T1 Home Ground, and the 17th Korea e-Sports Games (KeG) and Eternal Return tournaments. The results showed that the 2023 League of Legends World Championship generated approximately 740 billion KRW in production-inducing effects, far exceeding the previous estimate of around 200 billion KRW.

The study further dissected the value of individual events, noting that the 2025 LCK Finals generated roughly 58.5 billion KRW, while the T1 Home Ground event brought in about 30 billion KRW. These figures prove that esports is far more than just competitive content; it is a serious industry driving value across tourism, hospitality, IT, and infrastructure.

The research suggests that policy support should reflect this economic contribution. The report advocates for tax relief to ensure the financial stability of professional teams, alongside the development of public infrastructure, the formation of collaborative councils, and the creation of dedicated funds. KeSPA plans to use these policy recommendations to standardize stadium models and strengthen existing infrastructure.

Furthermore, the association intends to launch follow-up research this year focused on talent cultivation and the establishment of a safeguarding system. The full report on the 'Economic Impact of Esports Tournaments and Expansion of Tax Benefits' can be found at the KeSPA official website resource center.