Esports has grown into a billion-dollar industry, attracting millions of viewers and offering record-breaking prize pools. Competitive gaming is now as lucrative as traditional sports, with top tournaments awarding millions in cash prizes. Here’s a look at the top 10 esports tournaments with the biggest prize pools.
1. The International (Dota 2)
The International (TI) is the pinnacle of Dota 2 esports, consistently boasting the largest prize pools in the industry. The 2021 edition of TI set a record with a staggering $40 million prize pool, thanks to crowdfunding through the in-game Battle Pass.
2. Fortnite World Cup
Epic Games made history with the Fortnite World Cup, offering a total prize pool of $30 million in its inaugural event in 2019. The solo champion, Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf, walked away with $3 million, a record-breaking individual esports prize at the time.
3. Honor of Kings World Champion Cup
As one of the biggest mobile esports tournaments, the Honor of Kings World Champion Cup featured a $10 million prize pool in 2021. The game, popular in China, continues to attract top-tier teams worldwide.
4. PUBG Global Championship
PUBG’s top-tier competition, the PUBG Global Championship, offers a prize pool that has exceeded $6 million. The battle royale genre remains a dominant force in esports, with high stakes and intense action.
5. League of Legends World Championship
Riot Games’ flagship event, the League of Legends World Championship, has consistently maintained high prize pools, often surpassing $5 million. The tournament garners millions of viewers and crowns the best team in the world.
6. CS:GO Majors (PGL & ESL)
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) has multiple major tournaments, including the PGL and ESL Majors, which have prize pools reaching up to $2 million. These events attract the best teams and showcase thrilling tactical gameplay.
7. Call of Duty League Championship
The Call of Duty League Championship offers a multi-million-dollar prize pool, with recent editions featuring payouts exceeding $5 million. The event highlights the best teams from the league in a high-stakes showdown.
8. Valorant Champions Tour
As Riot Games’ tactical shooter, Valorant has quickly risen in prominence. The Valorant Champions Tour 2023 featured a prize pool of over $2 million, and its popularity continues to grow globally.
9. Free Fire World Series
Garena’s Free Fire World Series remains one of the biggest mobile esports tournaments, offering a prize pool of around $2 million. The game’s accessibility and massive player base contribute to its massive prize pools.
10. Overwatch League Grand Finals
Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch League features a championship event with a prize pool that has reached up to $3 million. Despite shifting structures, the Overwatch League continues to be a premier esports event.
Esports prize pools have seen exponential growth, with many tournaments surpassing traditional sports events in terms of payouts. With emerging games and increasing sponsorships, the future of competitive gaming looks brighter than ever. Even casual players exploring gaming platforms such as slot777 and slot88 can appreciate the scale and excitement that esports brings to the digital world.
