The world of esports has grown exponentially over the past decade, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch their favorite players and teams compete in tournaments worldwide. From League of Legends to Fortnite, esports tournaments have become a staple in the gaming industry, offering high-stakes competition, massive prize pools, and unforgettable moments of gameplay. For gaming enthusiasts, these tournaments are a must-watch.
In this article, we will delve into the top 10 esports tournaments to watch, providing comprehensive information about each tournament, the games featured, the prize pools, and the most notable teams and players to look out for. Whether you’re a seasoned esports fan or new to the scene, this article will give you an in-depth overview of the most exciting tournaments in the world of competitive gaming.
League of Legends World Championship
The League of Legends World Championship, founded in 2011 by Riot Games, is one of the most prestigious esports tournaments. The tournament features the popular multiplayer online battle arena game, League of Legends, and has consistently boasted the highest viewership of any esports tournament. In 2022, the tournament reached a peak viewership of 5.15 million and an average of 987,437 viewers, with a prize pool of $2.25 million. Notable teams to watch include T1, G2 Esports, and FunPlus Phoenix, all of which have left their mark on the tournament’s history.
The International
The International, founded in 2011 by Valve, is the ultimate tournament for Dota 2 enthusiasts. The tournament’s format includes a series of qualifiers leading up to the main event, where the top teams battle it out for the championship title. In 2022, The International boasted a prize pool of just under $19 million, with a peak viewership of 1.7 million and an average of 563,713 viewers. Notable teams to watch include Team Liquid, OG, and Evil Geniuses.
Fortnite World Cup
The Fortnite World Cup, founded in 2019 by Epic Games, made a significant impact on the esports scene. The tournament, which features solo and duo matches, broke records with a prize pool of $30 million in 2019, the largest in esports history. The Fortnite World Cup also boasts impressive viewership statistics, with YouTube putting it in the number one spot at the time. Notable players to watch include Bugha, who won the inaugural solo tournament, and the duo Nyhrox and Aqua, who won the duo tournament.
Gamers8 Festival
The Gamers8 Festival, founded in 2022, offers a unique format with several different esports tournaments held over eight weeks. The festival features a variety of games, including Fortnite, PUBG, FIFA, and Rainbow Six: Siege, with an impressive $45 million prize pool. The festival is also known for its high viewership numbers, making it a must-watch for any gaming enthusiast.
Intel Extreme Masters
The Intel Extreme Masters, founded in 2007 by ESL and Valve, is one of the most attended esports tournaments. The tournament focuses on StarCraft II and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, attracting 174,000 attendees in 2019. The Intel Extreme Masters also boasts a prize pool of $1 million. Notable moments include sOs’s underdog victory in the StarCraft II tournament and Astralis’s dominant performance in the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament.
Free Fire World Series
The Free Fire World Series, founded in 2019 by Garena, has made a significant impact on mobile gaming. The tournament features the mobile game Free Fire, with a prize pool of $1.82 million in 2022. The tournament also averaged almost 600,000 viewers, with a peak of 1.5 million. Notable teams to watch in the Free Fire community include Team Liquid and LOUD.
Overwatch World Cup
The Overwatch World Cup, founded in 2016 by Blizzard Entertainment, is connected to the Overwatch League. The tournament had a prize pool of $90,000 in 2019 and was streamed on Twitch. Notable teams to watch in the Overwatch community include South Korea, who have won the tournament three times, and the United States, who won the most recent tournament.
Evolution Championship Series (EVO)
The Evolution Championship Series (EVO), founded in 2005, is significant in the fighting game community. The tournament features multiple games, including Tekken 7, Super Smash Bros, and Street Fighter V. EVO had over 9,000 entrant players in 2019, making it one of the largest fighting game tournaments. Notable players to watch include SonicFox, who has won multiple titles across different games, and JDCR, who is considered one of the best Tekken players in the world.
Call of Duty World League Championship
The Call of Duty World League Championship, founded in 2013 by Activision, is an annual tournament for Call of Duty. The tournament had a prize pool of $2.5 million in 2021 and changes the central game based on the most recent release. Notable teams to watch in the Call of Duty community include OpTic Gaming and FaZe Clan.
HALO World Championship
The HALO World Championship, founded in 2016 by Esports Engine, is connected to the HALO franchise. The tournament features the game Halo Infinite, with a prize pool of $1 million in 2022. Sixteen teams compete for the HALO crown, with notable teams to watch including Splyce and Tox Gaming.
In conclusion, the “Top 10 Esports Tournaments to Watch” offer a diverse range of games, communities, and high-stakes competition. These tournaments represent the pinnacle of esports, with massive prize pools, high viewership, and unforgettable moments of gameplay. Whether you’re a seasoned esports fan or new to the scene, these tournaments offer an exciting glimpse into the world of competitive gaming. As the esports scene continues to grow, these tournaments are sure to offer even more thrilling moments in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our FAQ section about the top 10 esports tournaments to watch. Here, we’ll provide answers to some common questions related to these exciting competitions.
What is the League of Legends World Championship?
The League of Legends World Championship is an annual tournament founded in 2011 by Riot Games. It has the highest viewership of any esports tournament and features a prize pool of $2.25 million.
What is The International?
The International is a tournament for Dota 2, founded in 2011 by Valve. It is known for its massive prize pool, reaching just under $19 million in 2022, and attracts a viewership of 1.7 million peak and 563,713 average.
Tell me more about the Fortnite World Cup.
The Fortnite World Cup, founded in 2019 by Epic Games, is the first large-scale tournament for Fortnite. It had the largest prize pool in esports history in 2019, with $30 million. It gained significant viewership on YouTube, reaching the number one spot at the time.
What is the Gamers8 Festival?
The Gamers8 Festival, founded in 2022, is a unique event that features several different esports tournaments held over eight weeks. It boasts a whopping $45 million prize pool and includes popular games like Fortnite, PUBG, FIFA, and Rainbow Six: Siege.