In 2019, Free Fire introduced the Free Fire World Series (FFWS), the first official international championship, which attracted over a million concurrent viewers during its inaugural event.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 prompted the launch of the Free Fire Continental Series (FFCS), allowing competitive play to continue while prioritizing player safety.

Viewership for Free Fire peaked in 2021, with the FFWS Singapore event attracting over 5.4 million peak viewers, making it the most-watched esports event at that time.

As the mobile esports landscape evolved, competitors like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang gained prominence, surpassing Free Fire in viewership.

Looking ahead, Free Fire esports plans to focus on long-term sustainability, new tournament formats, and player development to maintain its relevance in the competitive gaming landscape.

The game's success was evident as it surpassed $1 billion in revenue within just two years, establishing a robust esports ecosystem alongside other major mobile shooter games.

Since its launch in late 2017, Free Fire, developed by Garena, has made a significant impact on the esports industry, particularly in regions like South Asia and Brazil.

However, following a successful 2021, Free Fire's viewership began to decline from 2022 onwards, partly due to its ban in India, a key market for the game.

Despite efforts to revitalize interest through new events and formats, including a mid-season FFWS event, peak concurrent viewers dropped below 600,000 in 2023.

In 2024, Free Fire esports experienced a resurgence with the introduction of the Esports World Cup, although overall viewership remained below its 2021 peak levels.