The world of esports has grown exponentially over the past decade, going from a niche hobbyist to a multi-billion dollar industry with a massive global audience. Part of this success is due to the video game competitions that have captured the imagination of millions of players, viewers and punters around the world alike.
Below, we will explore some of the most iconic eSports competitions that have marked a before and after in the history of competitive video games.
1 The International (Dota 2)
The International is the most prestigious Dota 2 tournament and one of the most anticipated eSports events each year. Organized by Valve Corporation, it has been a pioneer in terms of the prize pools it offers, with prize pools reaching tens of millions of dollars. The most notable feature is its funding system, where part of the money raised through sales of the Battle Pass (a set of additional in-game content) goes towards the prize pool. This has allowed The International to set consecutive records for the largest prize pools in the history of eSports.
Since its first edition in 2011, this event has grown not only in size, but also in audience; which has brought with it the increase in sports betting on eSports, driven in large part by the best betting bonuses which encourage fans to make their predictions, adding a new layer of excitement to the tournament.
It is worth mentioning that this tournament takes place in different places around the world, with finals that have been played in iconic arenas such as the KeyArena in Seattle and the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai.
2 League of Legends World Championship (LoL Worlds)
The “League of Legends World Championship,” or “LoL Worlds,” is the most important League of Legends tournament, organized by Riot Games. Since 2011, this event brings together the best teams in the world to compete for the title of world champion, becoming one of the most popular and globally watched eSports competitions.
The event’s producers ensure that each tournament has a spectacular opening, with live musical performances from renowned artists and the introduction of new thematic content related to the event. For example, the 2019 final in Paris attracted more than 100 million viewers, demonstrating its global reach.
3 Intel Extreme Masters (IEM)
The “Intel Extreme Masters” (IEM) is a series of eSports tournaments organized by the Electronic Sports League (ESL) and sponsored by Intel. Launched in 2006, the IEM encompasses multiple games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), StarCraft II and others, becoming one of the oldest and most prestigious events in the gaming scene.
It is not just a tournament, but an eSports festival that takes place in different cities around the world, including Katowice, Sydney and Shanghai.
Katowice, Poland is considered the mecca of IEM, where the grand final of the circuit is held every year. This event attracts tens of thousands of viewers both live and online. The passion of the Polish fans, combined with the level of competition of the players, makes this one of the most exciting times in the esports calendar.
Fun fact: In 2024, Team Vitality won IEM Cologne, establishing themselves as one of the standout teams of the season.
4 EVO Championship Series (EVO)
The “EVO Championship Series,” or simply EVO, is the most prestigious fighting game tournament, held since 1996. It is the stage where legends in the sector are born, such as Street Fighter, Tekken and Super Smash Bros., attracting fans from all over the world to compete in a high-intensity environment.
This tournament is famous for its strong sense of community, where participants compete for glory and the love of the game. The finals are held in Las Vegas, gathering thousands of fans to enjoy the most exciting matchups, and in the EVO 2024 competitionsome of the winners included the following.
- Punk in Street Fighter 6
- Arslan Ash in Tekken 8
- Nitro in Guilty Gear -STRIVE-
- Aarondamac in Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
- SonicFox in Mortal Kombat 1
5 Fortnite World Cup
Finally, it is worth mentioning the “Fortnite World Cup,” launched in 2019 by Epic Games. This is one of the youngest but most impactful tournaments in the e-sports industry. Since its first edition, with a total prize pool of 30 million dollars, it has stood out for its accessibility and versatility, allowing players from all over the world to participate in open qualifiers.
In 2024, the XSET team took first place, proving their dominance in the game. It should be said here that Fortnite’s enormous popularity and cultural influence have made this tournament a unique event, combining competition and entertainment to attract a massive audience, especially among the younger ones.
In short, eSports have evolved to become an integral part of global culture, with competitions that not only reward the best players but also offer unparalleled entertainment spectacles. These events not only represent the best of esports, but also point the way to a future where competitive gaming will continue to gain prominence on the world stage.
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