The most famous esports tournaments: a brief overview

Top esports tournaments every gamer should know about

Esports has exploded from niche gaming communities into mainstream sports, with the biggest tournaments now drawing millions of viewers globally. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newbie just diving into competitive gaming, understanding the key esports tournaments and their unique features is crucial. These events are where true legends are born, and they give you a front-row seat to some of the most intense, high-skill gameplay in the world.

If you’re looking to level up your knowledge about esports and perhaps even dream of competing in one someday, let’s take a deep dive into the most iconic and lucrative tournaments in the esports scene. Whether you’re a fan of MOBAs, FPS games, or battle royale madness, we’ve got each major competition covered. Oh, and I’ll throw in a few fun facts and personal insights to keep things engaging. Let’s go!

Understanding esports tournaments: What makes them special?

Before we dive deep into specific tournaments, let’s first understand what gives esports its unique flavor. While traditional sports like football or basketball have been around for generations, esports is relatively young but has rapidly gained a significant global foothold.

• Esports features: Unlike physical sports, esports occur entirely in a digital landscape where physical prowess is secondary to strategy, fast reflexes, and skill execution.
• Competitions: Instead of a ball or puck, players use avatars, guns, spells, or futuristic vehicles to assert dominance over their opponents.
• Fans from around the globe: Esports appeal to a global audience since the digital nature of these games shortens barriers to entry. Tournaments pit the world’s best against each other for millions of dollars in prize pools.

Alright, now that you’ve got some background info, let’s scale the heights of the esports world with a review of the biggest and baddest tournaments gamers live for every year.

The International (Dota 2)

Game: Dota 2

Prize Pool: Over $40 million in 2021

First Held: 2011

The International (TI) is the crown jewel of esports and one of the most famous tournaments in the industry. It holds the record as the competition with the largest prize pool in esports history. Whether or not you’re a seasoned Dota 2 player, this yearly event organized by Valve is an event to behold due to the sheer size of the competition and the skills required to win.

What makes The International special?

Well, it’s Dota 2. As one of the most challenging MOBAs out there, Dota 2 has a massive player base and requires players to not only dominate their lanes but master complex strategies and flawless teamwork. The stakes are incredibly high, and even casual Dota fans can’t help but be amazed by the strategies on display.

Another key feature is its prize pool, which is crowd-funded through the sale of in-game “compendiums” or Battle Passes. So, the more the community chips in, the bigger the rewards for the winning teams. This has pushed the total prize pool well into the millions, making this event a real game-changer.

Personal tip:

Even if you’re not big on playing Dota 2, The International is a must-watch. The intensity of the matchups, the drama of team eliminations, and the awesome in-game swag available for viewers make it a yearly celebration for gamers.

League of Legends World Championship (Worlds)

Game: League of Legends (LoL)

Prize Pool: Approximately $2-6 million

First Held: 2011

League of Legends (LoL) Worlds is one of the best-known esports tournaments where top teams from around the globe gather to battle it out for the Summoner’s Cup. LoL has become a cultural phenomenon, leading to a level of fan passion and emotional investment rarely seen outside physical sports arenas.

Worlds stands out not just for its jaw-dropping gameplay but for its spectacular opening ceremonies and unforgettable moments. If you’ve never tuned in to an esports event, start here. Riot Games goes all out with production quality, special effects, and even musical performances. Watching Worlds live feels like a rock concert meets traditional sports—but for gaming, of course.

What makes Worlds different?

Unlike other tournaments with single-game formats, Worlds is built around a month-long format packed with intense matches, knockout rounds, and intercontinental rivalries. If you follow esports even casually, you’ve likely seen some insane 5v5 action involving teams like T1, G2 Esports, or Damwon Gaming.

Fortnite World Cup

Game: Fortnite

Prize Pool: $30 million (2019)

First Held: 2019

If you’re familiar with Fortnite (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), you know that the Fortnite World Cup was a massive gaming event. With Epic Games pulling out all the stops, the inaugural event in 2019 saw over $30 million in prize money handed out to the best players and duos, with 16-year-old Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf taking home a cool $3 million as the solo World Cup champion. Talk about life-changing!

Why Fortnite World Cup is worth the hype

Fortnite redefined the battle royale genre, and its World Cup is just as unique. With players coming from all over the world, it wasn’t just about one game mode. The competition was broken into solo, duo, and creative formats, which showcased players’ versatility and inventiveness.

Pro tip:

If you play Fortnite regularly, aspiring to join the best in the World Cup might seem attainable. There are weekly Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS) competitions where you can start building your reputation. Plus, don’t miss the regular in-game activities that give Fortnite players a chance to qualify for future big tournaments.

CS:GO Major Championships

Game: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)

Prize Pool: $1 million (per major)

First Held: 2013

When it comes to first-person shooters (FPS), nothing beats the CS:GO Majors in terms of prestige. Hosted by Valve and numerous other partners like ESL and PGL, these tournaments are where many iconic Counter-Strike moments in esports history have occurred. This is where the legends face off, and the world watches in awe.

What attracts thousands to CS:GO tournaments?

Firstly, CS:GO’s simplicity—it’s bomb defusal or nothing. The beauty of the game is in its balance and sheer depth of skill. Many say mastering CS:GO requires not only pinpoint aiming but an incredible understanding of positioning, map control, and team communication.

The beauty of the CS:GO Majors is their massive community backing. While the prize pool might not match Dota 2 or Fortnite, the passion and commitment the CS:GO community brings is unparalleled.

Overwatch League

Game: Overwatch 2 (formerly Overwatch)

Prize Pool: $5 million (2020 season)

First Held: 2018

Brought to life by Blizzard, Overwatch League (OWL) is one of the newest franchises making waves in esports. It’s structured similarly to traditional sports leagues, with city-based teams like the San Francisco Shock or London Spitfire. What makes OWL fascinating is its mix of objective-based games with players filling specific roles (such as Tanks, Damage, and Supports) to push payloads, control points, and other objectives.

What separates Overwatch League from the competition?

The structure of OWL was designed with casual viewers in mind, with the league format making it easier for new spectators to follow a particular team throughout the season. Games are shorter, the action is intense, and the narrative experience of rooting for your favorite city’s team creates tension similar to traditional sports leagues. The live crowds deliver an electric atmosphere, which, combined with high-quality production, makes the OWL events something special.

Conclusion

And there you have it—some of the most important esports tournaments that shape the competitive gaming landscape. Each tournament has its unique flavor, rules, and prize pools, but they all celebrate one thing: excellence in gaming. Whether you’re a player hoping to get involved, or just a spectator looking to catch some top-tier action, these events are what esports is all about.

If you’re just beginning to follow esports, or feel a bit overwhelmed, my advice is to dive into these tournaments and get to know the players, teams, and games that make them so exciting. And if you’re feeling ambitious—who knows? Maybe one day I’ll be writing about you making a name for yourself in one of these epic competitions. What tournament would you love to compete in? Let me know, and let’s chat about it!

Until then, see you in the arena!