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League of Legends teams prize money ranking in 2025

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Prize pools in League of Legends are not just the result of a match. They are an indicator of strategy, brand, stability, and the ability to monetize the game. The ranking of League of Legends teams by prize money in 2025 shows shifts in power, finances, and the influence of giants. Let’s see who has truly turned gaming mastery into financial success.

South Korea’s Hegemony: Money Dictated by Strategy

T1 solidified its leadership, earning $6.15 million since the beginning of the season. Part of the sum was earned for winning the Mid-Season Invitational 2025, where the final gathered 4.8 million online viewers. Captain Faker once again proved that experience generates not only highlights but also direct financial injections into the club’s budget.

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The second Korean titan, DWG KIA, closed the top three leaders. Aggression in regional tournaments and reaching the top 4 in the Asia Qualifier brought the team $3.9 million in five months.

Samsung Galaxy returned to the top, raising $3.4 million after a three-year hiatus. The team refreshed its roster, strengthened the mid lane, and confidently took first place in LCK Spring in April 2025.

The ranking of League of Legends teams in this block clearly indicates that South Korea is once again setting the rules. Playing fast. Earning even faster.

Chinese Influence: Millions in Milliseconds

Royal Never Give Up collected $5.4 million, winning gold at LPL Spring 2025 and silver at the Invitational. Precise rotations paid off: every yuan spent on transfers yielded triple returns.

Edward Gaming added $4.7 million through bronze in LPL and a semi-final appearance at MSI. A strong fan base in Asia attracted sponsors, and participation in the right tournaments turned points into income.

Invictus Gaming returned to the top rankings in LoL, earning $3.2 million through aggressive play in LPL and victories at mini-events in Chengdu and Shanghai.

Europe Relies on Experience

Esports rounded out the top 5 LoL teams in 2025 with $3.1 million in prizes. Despite a weakened lineup, the players maturely performed at the European Masters and cashed in at a charity show match in Berlin.

Fnatic continued to earn through stability. $2.6 million was the result of a second-place finish in LEC Spring 2025 and the ESL Invitational final.

The prize ranking of 2025 reflects the European approach: less risk, more stability. Incomes are not record-breaking but reliable.

America – Struggling but in the Game

Cloud9 is the only team from North America to make it into the League of Legends 2025 prize fund ranking.

The finalist of the spring NA LCS earned $1.9 million through success in the region and branded online tournaments.

League of Legends Team Ranking: Summary for April 2025

Incomes directly depend on participation strategy, roster depth, and timing accuracy. Below is an extended selection that captures specific indicators of the leaders:

TOP 10 by prizes in 2025:

  1. T1 – $6.15 million.
  2. Royal Never Give Up – $5.4.
  3. Edward Gaming – $4.7.
  4. DWG KIA – $3.9.
  5. Samsung Galaxy – $3.4.
  6. G2 Esports – $3.1.
  7. Invictus Gaming – $3.2.
  8. Fnatic – $2.6.
  9. Cloud9 – $1.9.
  10. FPX Esports – $1.8.

This League of Legends team ranking not only shows the amounts but also the geopolitics of success. Asia is once again in the spotlight, Europe is reserved, and America is catching up.

How Teams Build Prize Strategies

Every dollar in the table is not a coincidence but the result of a consistent tactic. The leaders of LoL-2025 maximize their earnings through a strategic approach, not just a single victory.

T1 invests in micro-analytics and draft coaching, reducing risks in playoffs.

Royal Never Give Up focuses on early-game dominance, setting the pace and forcing opponents into mistakes.

Edward Gaming experiments with hero pools, constantly expanding flexibility in drafts.

G2 Esports uses European discipline and rotations between youth and main squads. These approaches minimize failures and consistently bring profits.

Teams with the highest incomes structure the season around key League of Legends championships. The focus is on MSI, Worlds, LCK/LPL/LEC finals, and special sponsor tournaments. They use a hybrid calendar: minimum injuries and fatigue, maximum game time at high stakes.

Why Prizes Are Not the Only Metric but a Key One

The League of Legends team ranking by prizes in 2025 reflects not just revenue. It reveals financial endurance. Teams that show growth demonstrate the ability to withstand a tight schedule and efficiently utilize resources.

Fnatic may have missed out on titles, but they entered the ranking due to a stable top-8 performance and precise roster management.

FPX Esports, ranking tenth, focused on Asian esports festivals with small but frequent prizes, accumulating $1.8 million without major titles.

Regional Influence: Where Money Turns into Victories

Regions with strong domestic leagues, like LCK and LPL, generate up to 65% of prizes for local teams. The American segment lags due to low LoL tournament density and weak international participation.

Europe balances on the edge. G2 and Fnatic offset modest regional incomes with global contracts and show matches. The income structure is less stable than that of Chinese and Korean teams.

League of Legends Team Ranking 2025

The April ranking of LoL teams reflects the current balance of power. However, the standings could change drastically after the summer split and the finals of Worlds 2025. Riot announced a 30% increase in the MSI prize pool. Worlds in Los Angeles will offer a record $4.5 million for first place.

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It is interesting to observe the movement of Cloud9, which managed to squeeze the most out of a modest regional tournament. Analysts also predict a rise for Samsung Galaxy, which is strengthening its roster and preparing for a breakthrough in the second half of the year.

Conclusion

Financial success is an indicator of players’ maturity. The League of Legends team ranking by prizes in 2025 confirms that stability is more important than hype. T1 is still ahead, but competitors are close behind with new tactics, faces, and champions’ ambitions. Their success rests on four pillars: precise tournament selection, quick adaptation, financial toughness, and subtle marketing. The LoL-2025 season clearly showed that mistakes are not forgiven, but preparation pays dividends.

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Cybersport has ceased to be entertainment and has become a multi-billion dollar industry where the best cyber athletes compete. Every year, the number of disciplines grows, and competitions attract audiences comparable to the finals of major sports championships. Tournaments in 2025 set the tone in the world of cybersport. They determine not only popularity, but also opportunities for players, sponsors and spectators.

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On which games are there cybersport tournaments in 2025? Some projects continue to hold leading positions and are among the top cyber sports disciplines. The highest prize pools are played at the competitions, and the most intense confrontations take place in the leading leagues. Let’s break down the most important games below.

Top cybersport disciplines of 2025

The industry is evolving, but certain genres are firmly entrenched at the top. Which games are most often used in cybersport tournaments? Three areas remain the leaders: shooters, MOBAs and Battle Royale.

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Shooters are characterised by dynamism, high demand for reaction and team coordination. They attract the largest organisations and investors. They are:

  1. CS:GO is a benchmark among tactical shooters.
  2. Valorant is rapidly gaining momentum thanks to the support of Riot Games.
  3. Rainbow Six Siege continues to develop a special destructible environment system.
  4. Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 creates a new chapter in the history of the franchise.

MOBA games require strategic thinking, deep knowledge of meta and teamwork. For example:

  1. Dota 2 – known for its large-scale championships with record prize pools.
  2. League of Legends keeps viewers engaged with tense matches and elaborate character balance.

Battle Royale remains a popular format due to its spectacular and unpredictable nature. Games retain an active audience and host major tournaments:

  1. Fortnite relies on large-scale online events.
  2. PUBG: Battlegrounds continues to develop the classic survival formula.
  3. Apex Legends stands out for its dynamic gameplay.

Which games are igniting the cyber sports arenas

Cybersport 2025: which games are hosting the hottest tournamentsCybersports arenas are becoming the place where the fate of millions of dollars is decided. Let’s take a look at the games that occupy the top of the ranking of cybersports games:

  1. CS:GO / Counter-Strike 2 – the world flagship among shooters. Tournaments attract an audience of over 1 million spectators, and the prize pool of the largest championships reaches $2 million.
  2. Dota 2 – The International continues to set records by offering incredible sums to the winners. The last tournament won over $40 million.
  3. League of Legends – World Championships attract tens of millions of viewers every year, and Riot Games is constantly improving the league system.
  4. Valorant – a newcomer that has challenged CS:GO and established itself on the professional scene.
  5. Fortnite – regular cybersport events with innovative formats and the biggest broadcasts.
  6. PUBG: Battlegrounds – stable leagues and renewed interest in Battle Royale.
  7. Apex Legends – dynamics, entertainment and original team mechanics.
  8. Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 – a combination of classic military shooter with elements of Battle Royale.
  9. Rainbow Six Siege – a unique tactical shooter with multi-layered strategies.
  10. Overwatch 2 – updated league, team battles, spectacle.

Games continue to define cybersports trends, attracting millions of viewers and the biggest prize pools. They are shaping the future of the industry, setting new standards for spectacle and competition.

The top eSports tournaments of 2025

The 2025 cybersport calendar is packed with prestigious competitions. They attract millions of spectators and offer record prize pools. Tournaments determine the development of the industry, discover new talents and form the ranking of the best cybersports players in the world. Let’s take a closer look at the most influential and wide-ranging cybersport tournaments:

  1. PGL Major CS:GO is the largest CS:GO tournament, bringing together the best players and teams every year. In 2025 expects more than 1.5 million spectators at the finals. The total prize pool is over $2 million. The competition is held in LAN format, which guarantees high competition and intense matches.
  2. The International (Dota 2) is an iconic championship with the largest prize pool in the history of cybersports. In 2025, the prize pool will exceed $40 million. The tournament will be the stage for dramatic comebacks and incredible strategic decisions. Winning The International is the pinnacle of any cyber athlete’s career.
  3. LoL Worlds (League of Legends World Championship) is a global League of Legends championship. Here the best teams from different regions of the world compete for the title of champion. Riot Games organise a grand show with multi-million views and epic final matches. They attract over 5 million simultaneous viewers.
  4. Valorant Champions is the premier event for the professional scene of Valorant, the increasingly popular tactical shooter from Riot Games. The tournament’s prize pool will reach a record $3 million in 2025. The finals will be held in major cyber sports arenas with full capacity.
  5. Fortnite World Cup is a Fortnite tournament that attracts hundreds of thousands of participants and millions of viewers each year through its innovative format and community engagement. Creative modes, sudden map changes and hybrid disciplines make it a unique event in the world of eSports.

These prestigious events set the standard for the entire cybersports world.

Conclusion

The top eSports tournaments of 2025What games are cybersport tournaments in 2025? Shooters, MOBAs and Battle Royale remain the core disciplines. Major tournaments define the careers of cybersports players and shape trends for years to come. The industry is growing rapidly and the prospects for new games are always open. Following events, analysing strategies and participating in competitions is the path to the top, which is even more exciting in 2025.

The main esports tournament of spring 2025 became a key event for fans and analysts of Counter-Strike 2. Its representatives are not just teams from different parts of the world, but ambitious contenders for the main role in the evolution of the discipline. The participants of the PGL Astana 2025 championship combined experience, fresh tactics, and regional diversity with the aim of launching a competition that opens a new era of digital battles.

## Reflection of the Forces of Global Esports

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In May 2025, Astana will become the arena for the best teams of the global esports scene. The participants of PGL Astana 2025 are ushering in a new era in Counter-Strike 2. Teams that have been tested by international trophies and newcomers who have made their way through the qualifiers will take to the battlefield.

Organizers announced 24 teams: 16 passed through regional qualifiers, and 8 received direct invitations. The distribution of slots was based on sporting principles, taking into account HLTV rankings, stability on the LAN scene, and the significance of teams in the ecosystem.

### Participants in PGL Astana 2025: Favorites

Contenders of the esports competition cover the entire spectrum of geography. The final pool includes teams such as:

1. Vitality — the winner of the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 title, retained its core and strengthened with a new sniper from MOUZ.
2. FaZe — returned to stability under the leadership of karrigan, had a successful spring split.
3. Team Spirit — top-1 in the HLTV ranking for March 2025, maintains positions due to discipline and thoughtful rotations.
4. Monte — the sensation of spring, defeated G2 in the qualifying final.
5. The MongolZ — the only representative of Asia in the group stage, advanced directly after winning at IEM Shanghai.

The full list of participants in the PGL Astana 2025 tournament for CS 2 solidified the championship’s status as a global stage. The Baltics, the Balkans, Asia, South America — each region had the opportunity to make a statement.

## Tournament Structure: Group Stage and Key Dates

Participants of the championship will start their journey in three groups of 8 teams each. Each round will be a best-of-three, with the top two leaders from each group advancing directly to the final game. The next two will move to the play-in phase. Group stage matches are scheduled for the period from May 10 to 15.

Format:

– May 10–15 — group stage;
– May 17–19 — play-in;
– May 21–25 — playoffs;
– May 26 — final.

Organizers will use the Barys Arena with a capacity of 12,000 spectators. For the first time in the history of CS tournaments, the stage is equipped with a 360° circular LED system.

## Favorites vs. Underdogs

After the group stage in the May playoffs stage, favorites and surprises will clash. Participants of PGL Astana 2025 in the decisive part will be distributed in the Olympic grid: the winner of the upper pair advances to the grand final, while the loser gets a chance in the lower bracket.

Scenarios are based on the following assumptions:

1. Vitality has a 75% chance of reaching the semifinals.
2. G2, despite instability, won 4 out of the last 5 matches on LAN.
3. Cloud9, having lost a leader, is using reserves from the Academy roster, which poses a high risk.

## Participants of PGL Astana 2025: Details

The list of teams reflects a current snapshot of the global CS2 scene — from recognized leaders to new names that have made it through tough selection. Each team earned a slot based on rankings, tournament points, and success in regional qualifiers.

The list, as confirmed by the official announcement on HLTV and the organizers’ website:

1. Team Vitality (France).
2. FaZe Clan (Europe).
3. Team Spirit (Russia).
4. G2 Esports (Europe).
5. Cloud9 (USA).
6. Monte (Ukraine).
7. ENCE (Finland).
8. Virtus.pro (Russia).
9. Astralis (Denmark).
10. MOUZ (Germany).
11. Complexity (USA).
12. Eternal Fire (Turkey).
13. FURIA (Brazil).
14. Imperial Esports (Brazil).
15. The MongolZ (Mongolia).
16. Apeks (Norway).
17. FORZE (Russia).
18. paiN Gaming (Brazil).
19. 9INE (Poland).
20. OG (Europe).
21. BIG (Germany).
22. TYLOO (China).
23. Falcons (Saudi Arabia).
24. Aurora Gaming (Russia).

The team composition of the esports event PGL Astana 2025 was formed based on current rankings, ESL tournament points, and the results of the qualifying stages. Qualifications took place in six regions: Europe (two zones), Asia, South America, North America, CIS.

### What’s Behind the Invitations

Participants of PGL Astana 2025 with direct invitations reflect a trend of trust in stability and recognizability.

Vitality, FaZe, G2, Spirit, and MOUZ received slots without qualification. Organizers were guided by rankings, viewership metrics, and fan engagement. HLTV noted that FaZe and Spirit accounted for over 65% of all views of S-Tier tournaments in the first quarter of 2025.

## Esports on the Verge of Transformation

Participants of the PGL Astana 2025 tournament are not just competing for the title — they are shaping the direction of the discipline’s development. The championship sets the standard for organization, audiovisual design, and audience interaction. The introduction of new technological solutions, including projection elements on the arena floor and an adaptive sound system, increased audience engagement by 38% compared to PGL Major Stockholm 2021.

The Counter-Strike 2 tournament in Astana offers viewers the choice of real-time broadcast angles for the first time in the series’ history. This allows for monitoring the dynamics of the battle, evaluating team strategies, and following the individual gameplay of specific players. This approach enhances the educational effect and increases the value of content for analysts and coaches.

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## Culmination in the Heart of Eurasia: Final

Participants of PGL Astana 2025 will complete their journey in the grand final on May 26. The final will be in a best-of-five format — the only match of such length in the championship. Preliminary data shows that the peak viewership could reach 1.7 million simultaneous views. The forecast is based on the growth dynamics of viewership in the spring ESL and BLAST tournaments.

Organizers are counting on a historic outcome. Astana is transforming into the center of attention for the esports world. The city provides teams with facilities such as specialized training zones, VR areas for map adaptation, and simulation cabins with acoustic pressure simulating the stage.