Biggest Annual eSports Competitions

The eSports world is growing in popularity, and fans from all over the world now gather to watch the top gaming events both live and on streaming platforms. The world of eSports now has fans the world over much like other sports such as football and basketball.

If you’re a newbie to the gaming world, esports are video gaming competitions where players compete online against other players in games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO), Dota, and League of Legends.

Naturally, as eSports has increased in popularity, platforms have jumped on the trend. Nowadays people can now partake in activities like CSGO betting, where you can wager on gaming events much like you would wager on any sporting event.

Top eSport Competitions

We looked at the top annual eSports events based on popularity, fan support, and prize money, so you know which competitions to look out for.

The International (TI) Dota 2

The International is the yearly Dota 2 eSports global championship. The International, produced by Valve (the game's creator), features 20 teams worldwide and is the last competition on the Dota Pro Circuit.

The game's battle pass mechanism is used to crowdfund the prize pool for the competition. Of all eSports competitions, The International has the largest single-tournament prize pool.

League of Legends (LOL) World Championships

Riot Games hosts the League of Legends World Championship (Worlds), an annual professional event that marks the end of each season. Teams fight for the championship title of the Summoner's Cup, and a significant cash award.

Each year, the tournament is at a different location and has been held in several nations. T1 from South Korea is the most successful team in the competition, which has won three world championships.

CS: GO Major Championships

Valve, the creator of the game, sponsors the CS: GO Major Championships (the Major). In 2013, 16 teams competed in the first CS: GO Major in Sweden, with a total prize fund of $250,000.

Since then, the Major has dramatically grown to include 24 teams worldwide and a prize pool worth millions of dollars. Team Vitality is the reigning champion after winning in 2023. Team Astralis owns the record for most Major titles with four victories.

The Free Fire World Series

Garena runs the Free Fire professional championship game at the Free Fire World Series (FFWS). The competition began in 2019, and the prize pool has grown to millions. The video game Free Fire's Squad Battle Royale mode is used in the FFWS.

52 players, divided into 13 teams of 4, are dropped off on an island without armour or weapons. Players must look for supplies, equipment, and weaponry once they are on ground. Naturally, the winning squad is the last team standing.

How Gaming Has Changed

The days when gamers held LAN parties in dorm rooms and basements to compete for dominance are long behind us. With the major eSports competitions serving as the primary source of amusement for millions of people, professional gamers nowadays are, somewhat, seen as professional athletes.

Some may be surprised by the immense popularity of eSports. However, the amount of money these events generate is a testament to how popular eSports are worldwide.