TOP 5 eSports games by prize pools: Where dreams come true

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For video game fans, esports has long been more than just entertainment. This is a world where passion, skill, and luck can lead to millions in winnings. In recent years, prize pools at major tournaments have reached astronomical levels. In this article, we take a look at the top 5 esports games with astronomical prize pools and discover what makes each one so attractive to both professionals and amateurs.

Dota 2

Dota 2 is rightfully considered the king of esports. Its flagship tournament, “The International,” annually awards the highest prize pools in esports, often exceeding $40 million. The International has become a symbol of esports’ financial success. Interestingly, the majority of the budget is funded by contributions from the players themselves, who purchase in-game items. This system has enabled the creation of one of the largest funds in history. A team can receive over $15 million for first place at The International alone. Dota 2 is a dream come true for anyone who has ever held a mouse.

The Road to the Top: From Amateur to Legend

Reaching the top requires not only talent, but also support. Esports organizations around the world are searching for new talent, setting up training facilities, and coaching teams. The stories of most Dota 2 players tell of a difficult path: from playing in amateur tournaments in internet cafes to winning in the biggest international arenas. Many professionals like N0tail and Miracle- started small, but through perseverance and talent, they were able to become some of the best players in the world.

Why is Dota 2 in the top 5 esports games by prize money?

Dota 2 esports tournaments aren’t just about money, but also about the incredible atmosphere. The project features more than 100 unique heroes, and each battle is a dramatic confrontation where strategy and teamwork decide everything. Fans also play a crucial role in Dota 2’s success, as their support helps generate record prize pools and spectacular matches attract millions of viewers around the world.

Fortnite

Fortnite isn’t just a game; it’s also one of the top eSports disciplines. It’s a phenomenon that has transformed the entire industry. Every year, the games with the largest prize pools in eSports become the arena for major events like the Fortnite World Cup, where the total prize pool exceeds $30 million. Anyone can become a millionaire here, and that’s no exaggeration. The winner of the Fortnite World Cup received $3 million, comparable to prizes in professional sports. The atmosphere of the tournaments is reminiscent of festivals, where gamers, cosplayers, and spectators create a unique celebration.

Support for Newcomers: From eSports School to League

Fortnite is one of the few games where new players can join eSports leagues relatively quickly. Epic Games is actively developing this trend, organizing tournaments and development programs for young talent. Some countries are even establishing special academies to train future Fortnite pros. This helps cultivate new generations of eSports athletes.

What makes Fortnite so appealing?

Fortnite combines dynamic mechanics and stylish design – a great place for those who want to not only compete but also have fun. Cross-platform play allows users to participate in matches from different devices, and frequent updates and interesting events ensure that Fortnite remains at the peak of its popularity.

League of Legends

When it comes to major esports events, prize pools, and huge stadiums packed with fans, League of Legends simply can’t be left out. The game’s world championship, Worlds, attracts the best teams from around the world every year, as well as hundreds of thousands of viewers both in the arena and online. The atmosphere here is extremely tense: every victory is the result of months of training, and the price of a single mistake can be extremely high.

Esports Organizations and Top Teams

The world’s best teams, T1 and G2 Esports, have become true stars of the industry. Professional League of Legends esports players must endure tough training conditions and intense competitions to reach the level at which they can compete on the world stage. Their success stories inspire thousands of young gamers who dream of one day reaching the big stage.

Why is League of Legends as popular as ever?

League of Legends is a community supported by millions of fans around the world. Regular updates, new champions, and events keep the game fresh and interesting more than ten years after its release. Riot Games invests enormous resources in supporting the esports scene to ensure League of Legends remains one of the best esports games in the world.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

The prize money at Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournaments like the Major continues to grow year after year. The prize pool often reaches several million dollars, and each event becomes a true celebration for shooter fans. CS:GO is famous for its dynamics and exciting finals where every second counts. Here, every detail counts, and tactical decisions are often worth their weight in gold.

Legendary Teams and the Road to the Top

Astralis and Natus Vincere have already etched their names in esports history. Their successes inspire young people around the world to join esports leagues and try their luck. The path to the top in CS begins with participation in amateur tournaments and hard training, but those willing to invest in their skills have every chance of advancing to the professional league.

The simplicity of the rules, the clear goal of destroying the enemy or planting a bomb, and the classic gameplay make CS a game that is easy to understand but difficult to master.

PUBG

PUBG is known for its high stakes and diverse tournaments, from regional competitions to world championships. A comparison of the prize pools of different games shows that PUBG firmly holds a place among the projects with the most generous payouts. Tournaments often offer millions in prize money, and the Battle Royale format adds extra surprises and excitement.

Gaming Community and Impact on the Industry

The PUBG community is a true enthusiast of the genre. They form teams, support their favorite streamers and pros, and actively participate in the life of the eSports scene. Support plays a key role in the game’s development and maintaining its popularity.

PUBG’s Unique Features

PUBG offers a unique survival experience where every match is a new story. Players parachute, search for weapons, and fight for first place. The project is characterized by its high degree of realism, which attracts both casual players and professionals who want to test their skills in challenging conditions.

Conclusion

The TOP 5 eSports games by prize money demonstrate how projects can become more than just a hobby, but a real career with millions in prize money. From dramatic Dota 2 matches to fast-paced Fortnite battles to classic CS:GO shooters, these projects offer unique opportunities for those willing to dedicate their lives to eSports.

The strongest e-sports teams in 2025

The rankings no longer reflect victories alone. The results depend on the depth of the squad, the training system, the ability to adapt to patches, and the format of the tournament series. In 2025, the strongest e-sports teams are characterised by stability, flexibility and many years of experience. Competition has increased: it is no longer about titles, but about influence, media presence and transfers that can change the balance of power in the gaming disciplines.

The strongest e-sports teams of 2025

Each team uses an individual system. Some build their success on stability, others on innovation. The strongest e-sports teams are not characterised by a single game, but by structure, discipline and a versatile approach.

Examples of dominant teams:

Team Spirit – absolute market leader in Dota 2, stable composition, triumphs at Majors, strategic flexibility, growth since 2023 without setbacks.
FaZe Clan – top in CS2, dual captain module, high percentage of clutch scenarios, aggression with economic control, dominant connection on the map.
Gen.G – discipline in League of Legends, strong internal academy, adaptive peaks, four coaches on staff, stability in international leagues.
Fnatic – elite in VALORANT, top entry frag rating, high percentage of spike installations, systematic support from analysts and mentors.
G2 Esports – multidisciplinary structure, strong lineups in CS, LoL and VALORANT, stable top-3 results, well-thought-out training cycle.
BetBoom Team – market leader in the CIS region, experienced Dota 2 players, stable positions in tournaments, balanced role distribution, no emotional breakdowns.
Vitality – European leader, aggressive mid-rotation in CS2, adaptive shooting, quick decision-making, high percentage of force rounds won.
T1 – Asian benchmark, tactical control in LoL, high percentage of wins in Bo5 series, team depth, intuitive team play.
NRG – strong roster from North America, unconventional coaching model, focus on shooting in VALORANT, innovative post-game analysis.
FURIA – strong South American team, rapid growth in CS2, minimal losses per season, structural discipline, balance between youth and experience
Influence of composition and discipline: structure determines the result

Each of the top e-sports teams of 2025 has structured its training process: from analysis to nutrition. The level of physical and mental preparation is increasing. Leading organisations are incorporating sports psychologists, doctors, chefs and strategic analysts into their staff.

Rotations are no longer chaotic. A successful team rarely changes more than one player per season. The average age of key athletes is between 21 and 26. Newcomers adapt quickly but rarely become leaders – the metagame requires maturity. Most winning streaks are based not on talent but on strategy.

Forecasts and dynamics: What can the strongest e-sports teams expect?

The e-sports market has entered a phase of sustained growth. Formats have stabilised, disciplines have found their pool, and budgets have increased. The strongest e-sports teams will not remain unchanged. Each season brings new challenges: patches, changes to tournament rules, the emergence of young teams and new stars.

Unpredictability has increased. Even the frontrunners with a well-established system risk losing their position if an important player changes teams. Reserve players no longer sit on the bench – they take part in training, complete preparation and participate in boot camp scenarios. This is precisely why predictions are often wrong: last year’s front-runner can find themselves in the middle of the rankings after just six months.

Victory as a product of the system

The era of random success is over. Long-term results depend on structure, not streaks of luck. The strongest e-sports teams demonstrate a systematic approach: training processes, discipline, mental stability, strategic flexibility.

Collective success arises at the intersection of tactics, psychology and digital analytics. Individual skills are no longer decisive. Given the growing tournament calendar and high frequency of games, it is not the player who survives a single battle who wins, but the one who lasts the entire season. Teams in which every player understands their role, adapts to changes, respects the coach and keeps up the pace – these are the teams that dominate the top.

June 4, 2025

Top 5 best eSports games of 2024: legends and breakthroughs

Interest in cyber sports games is on the rise in 2024, and for good reason: legends continue to capture the hearts of millions, and new breakthroughs are creating adrenaline rushes around the world. This year has been a true sea change in cyber culture, with key disciplines demonstrating the breathtaking skills of players and developers.

Perennial favourite: League of Legends

League of Legends (LoL) continues to be one of the great cybersport titans. The developers are once again surprising fans with updates that drastically change the gameplay. The main difference this year is a new item system and an overhaul of the forest mechanics, including unique buffs for each forest monster. New champions include Constant, who can temporarily block damage across the entire team, and Blade of Wind, whose abilities focus on speed attacks and tactics to infiltrate the enemy’s defensive line.

The most significant changes are the addition of two new artefacts to Sapport’s options: the Crystal Maelstrom, which gives the team a temporary armour boost, and the Unity Mirror, which allows them to redirect damage from allies to themselves. These changes increase the relevance of cybersport games in 2024 and give professional competitors new tools to dominate tournaments.

Professional leagues and competitions

The global LoL scene is full of events, each of which is a real treat for fans. Tournaments such as the LCK and LEC continue to attract millions of viewers, but the real highlight of the season is the World Championships. This year’s World Championship was won by Team T1, who returned to the throne after a difficult start. In the deciding game, they employed a new strategy called ‘Capture the Forests’, actively gathering resources and organising attacks on the opponent’s base.

The arena battles show why LoL remains one of the best tournament games. Each match is a real-time chess game, with tactical moves and instant decisions. Teams now utilise a double attack tactic, using a killer champion (Zed) along with a supporter, which leads to more aggression on the frontline and increases the chances of winning.

Dota 2: Tactics make the difference

Dota 2 continues to conquer the top and inspire thousands of players to new heights. The updates include changes to the heroes and their abilities that turn the usual meta on its head. For example, there is a new hero, the Storm Magister, who can accumulate an energy charge and summon a lightning bolt that damages all enemies within range. The new artefact ‘Phoenix Shield’ gives players the ability to resurrect after their first death, which significantly changes the dynamics of battles.

Cyber sports games in 2024 use the example of Dota 2 to show how the story can develop without losing depth and complexity. Particular attention is paid to the tactics of map conquest and the use of new artefacts.

The international tournament and other events

The International 2024 was once again the epicentre of the eSports universe, bringing together the best of the best from around the world. The prize money totalled a record 50 million dollars. This year’s event is most remembered for the incredible battle between PSG.LGD and Team Secret, which PSG.LGD managed to win despite losing two key baselines. The main tournament shows the level of the participants and sets trends for the entire community. Events of this magnitude are a demonstration of the strength, skill and amazing abilities of the professionals.

How players succeed

The key to success in Dota 2 lies in analysis and planning. Professional competitors like Puppey analyse each opponent closely to identify their weaknesses. What games do professional cyber athletes play to prepare for tournaments? They spend hours in test matches, practising new strategies by using heroes with increased mobility (such as Ember Spirit) to attack and retreat without losing.

CS:GO: Timeless classics with a modern twist

CS is still one of the pillars of cybersports today and continues to delight fans. With the latest updates, new maps and weapons have been added that have a significant impact on the dynamics of the game. The new map ‘Bastion’, for example, has a unique multi-level structure that allows for different tactics to conquer key points. Popular cybersports games in 2024 continue to inspire, and CS is one of the best examples of how to maintain audience interest without changing the core mechanics.

Why is CS still so popular?

Cybersport disciplines like CS remain relevant thanks to their unique combination of speed, tactics and dynamics. The updated weapon recoil mechanics have added realism and force players to learn how to control each shot. This makes for an exciting session, as each round is a battle of wits, reflexes and precision, where every mistake can cost you victory.

Valorant: a mixture of strategy and speed

Valorant continues to evolve: the developers have significantly changed the balance of the agents. There is a new agent – ‘Knox’, he can create toxic zones that temporarily prevent opponents from using their abilities. Cyber sports gaming in 2024 has gained an even greater tactical element that requires teams to adapt quickly.

How is Valorant conquering cyber sports?

Valorant is becoming increasingly popular with new cyber sports players and fans. The best tournament games require not only shooting skills, but also strategic thinking. Valorant competitions like Masters 2024 attract top teams from all over the world. This year, Fnatic came out on top with their strategy of using support agents to take complete control of the map, which earned them first place. The report shows that Valorant is a fully-fledged tactical game where the ability to utilise skills determines the winner.

Overwatch 2: the rebirth of team dynamics

Over the course of the year, Overwatch 2 will receive updates that bring significant changes to the gameplay. New heroes such as Ultim, a tank with the ability to create a force barrier, and Scorpion, an attacker specialising in close combat, open up new tactical possibilities for teams.

Overwatch 2 competitions and championships

Overwatch 2 tournaments are a true spectacle, where every match is a battle of strategies and skills. The Overwatch League presented new teams and outstanding performances. Dallas Fuel won first prize with their mobile barrier strategy, which allowed them to effectively defend control points and fend off the enemy onslaught.