Esports' Greatest Prize: Celebrating Competitive Victory

The world of Esports has exploded in popularity over the past decade, evolving from a casual game into a legitimate competitive arena with huge prize pools that rival traditional sports. Gamers from all over the world compete in a variety of titles, each vying not only for glory, but also for life-changing cash.

The International: Dota 2

One of the most iconic events in Esports is The International, the annual Dota 2 championship. The tournament’s prize pool has skyrocketed over the years due to community contributions through in-game item purchases. In 2021, Team Spirit made waves by winning $18.2 million, the largest prize pool for a single team in Esports history, after an incredible performance.

The scale of The International is staggering. In 2021, the prize pool was over $40 million, with runner-up PSG.LGD taking home over $5 million. To give you an idea of just how big this prize pool is, you can compare it to the 2023 WPT, where the prize pool was $40 million, or the historic 2025 WSOP, where the prize pool was over $52 million. These budgets show that Esports tournaments are skyrocketing in popularity and approaching or surpassing other similar events.

And just as players can hone their skills by playing their favorite games, they can also hone their skills at their favorite card game sites, all of which offer great games, welcome bonuses, and a variety of game features. In both cases, practice makes perfect, so the more you play, the better you will become.

Fortnite World Cup

When Fortnite arrived, it changed the gaming landscape in many ways, not least with the introduction of massive prize pools. The 2019 Fortnite World Cup was won by Kyle “Booger” Gearsdorf, who took home a whopping $18T3 million. This win was not only significant for Booger, but it also ushered in a new era of competitive gaming, showing that non-traditional genre titles could host massive tournaments with equally impressive prize pools. With a vibrant community and broad appeal, Fortnite set the standard for future esports competitions.

League of Legends World Championship

League of Legends has been a cornerstone of the esports scene since its inception, and the annual World Championship is a celebration of skill and strategy. In 2021, Edward Gaming took home the title and a whopping $18T6.1 million in prize money. The event brought together the best teams from around the world in captivating matches that captivated millions of fans. To commemorate this achievement, RIOT Games created a set of EDG figures for its most dedicated fans.

Overwatch League: A New Franchise Model

The Overwatch League has redefined the way teams operate in esports, introducing a franchise model that mirrors traditional sports leagues. The 2020 season was dominated by the San Francisco Shock, who took home a total of $18T1.5 million in prize money. This model not only encourages team stability, but also encourages cities to come together to support local teams. The Overwatch community is vibrant and diverse, and the league structure allows fans to interact with their favorite teams in a way that is reminiscent of traditional sports.

PUBG Global Championship

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) has captured the hearts of many with its battle royale gameplay, and the PUBG Global Championship is the pinnacle of competitive play for the title. In 2019, Gen.G took home $4 million , making it one of the largest prize pools in a battle royale tournament. The championship showcases not only individual skill, but also teamwork and strategy as teams navigate through the chaos of the battlefield. The PUBG community loves to compete, and the Global Championship is a celebration of that spirit.

Apex Legends Global Series

Apex Legends may be a new title on the competitive scene, but it’s quickly making its mark. The Apex Legends Global Series features several tournaments with impressive prize pools, culminating in a championship event that promises significant prizes. The 2021 championship awarded $1 million to the winning team, showing the rapid growth and popularity of the battle royale game. The community around Apex Legends is incredibly passionate and engaged, and it’s exciting to watch the competitive scene grow.