The unprecedented rise of esports has been a spectacular evolution to witness. Gone are the days of competitive Street Fighter and arguing with friends in your bedroom over who’s the king of the LAN head-to-heads. Bragging rights on computer games is now a professional sport, and with various games – some specifically for built online play – being released each year, new competitions and tournaments soon follow.
However, certain games are currently dominating the world of esports. The debate around the most popular esports games is subject to preference, as global and regional success differs from game to game. Some games have significantly bigger fan bases, while others provide bigger and more lucrative competitions.
In today’s article, we’re previewing the most popular esports titles with the largest prize pools on offer. We will, however, display tables below to show the biggest games from a viewership standpoint as well.
Dota 2
Release Date: 2013
Total money won by competitors: $224.7 million
Most popular tournament: The International
When looking into the most lucrative esports title for bidding professionals, look no further than Dota 2. Valve Corporation created this multiplayer battle arena title. The game’s predecessor – Ancients: All-Stars – undoubtedly assisted in its popularity. However, when combined with the rising popularity of esports, it’s evolved into one of the most popular online games in Europe and North America.
Most games are 5V5, and the premise is to defend an area on the map. A team is victorious once an area – known as Ancient – within the team’s base is destroyed.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Release Date: 2012
Total money won by competitors: $96 million
Most popular tournament: WESG
Valve Corporation didn’t just hit the jackpot with Dota 2, as they’re also the proud developers of another famed esports title, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. While Global Offensive owns the esports fame, it’s one of four Counter-Strike games that have been a hit with loyal fan bases dating back to 1999.
Esports competitions see this first-person shooter become a battle between teams – terrorists and counter-terrorists. The former kidnap hostages and place a bomb, while the latter rescue the hostages and defuse the bomb.
Fortnite
Release Date: 2017
Total money won by competitors: $89 million
Most popular tournament: Fortnite World Cup
If you’re a parent or have younger siblings, there’s no chance you haven’t heard of Fortnite. In fact, this multiplayer online game created by Epic Games has changed youngsters’ lives at an esports level. The most recent 2023 Fortnite World Cup winner was a 16-year-old from Pennsylvania who went home with a $3 million first-place prize.
Three popular Fortnite game modes are played competitively – Save the World, Battle Royale, and Creative. However, the game is predominantly a third-person shooter with build options.
It’s important to note that Fortnite esports and esports titles, in general, aren’t just spectator sports; they’ve also boosted the popularity of wagering on esports. And those that used a Caesars sportsbook promo code to bet on Kyle Giersdorf – 2023 Fortnite World Cup Winner – would’ve profited comfortably.
League of Legends
Release Date: 2009
Total money won by competitors: $75 million
Most popular tournament: LoL World Championship
Developed and produced by Riot Games, League of Legends, better known as LoL, is a multiplayer real-time strategy game, and its popularity soared in Asia.
Two teams compete with three or five players per team, and its play style is resemblant to Dota 2. A team wins by destroying the “Nexus” in the opposing team’s base.
Top 10 esports games: Sorted by prize pool
- Dota 2 – ($8 416 756 Prize Pool)
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive ($8,187,453 Prize Pool)
- PUBG Mobile – ($7,156,515 Prize Pool)
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege ($4,1908,654 Prize Pool)
- Call of Duty ($4,866,052 Prize Pool)
- League of Legends ($4,1307,338 Prize Pool)
- Valorant ($3,968,105 Prize Pool)
- Fortnite ($2,862,600 Prize Pool)
- Rocket League ($2,714,710 Prize Pool)
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang ($2,254,828 Prize Pool)
Top 10 esports games: Sorted by viewership
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang – (4,270,270 Peak Viewers)
- League of Legends (2,287,919 Peak Viewers)
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (1,528,724 Peak Viewers)
- Valorant (1,444,670 Peak Viewers)
- PUBG Mobile (851,780 Peak Viewers)
- Apex Legends (542,959 Peak Viewers)
- Dota 2 (507,620 Peak Viewers)
- Arena of Valor (470,754 Peak Viewers)
- Formula 1 (385,083 Peak Viewers)
- Call of Duty (335,170 Peak Viewers)
