Esports has significantly grown over the past few years, with professional gamers competing in various tournaments worldwide. These tournaments offer enormous prize pools, attracting millions of spectators and making esports one of the most popular forms of entertainment globally.
One of the largest and most renowned esports tournaments is The International Dota 2 Championships. Hosted by Valve Corporation, this annual tournament began in 2011 with a staggering $1.6 million prize pool. Over time, it has exponentially increased to over $34 million in recent years, making it the largest prize pool in Esports history.
Another prestigious tournament is the Fortnite World Cup Finals hosted by Epic Games. In 2019, this event boasted a massive total prize pool of $30 million with each participant assured a minimum of $50,000 just for qualifying. The solo champion took home an impressive $3 million paycheck – one of the highest individual prizes ever seen in Esports.
The League of Legends World Championship (LoL Worlds) is also notable for its huge prize pools and high level of competition. Organized by Riot Games annually since 2011, LoL Worlds regularly amasses millions of viewers from around globe who tune in to watch top teams compete for multi-million dollar prizes.
The Call Of Duty League (CDL) is another major player on the scene that offers significant rewards to players and teams alike. With Activision at its helm, CDL boasts an impressive total cash payout that reached up to $4 million dollars during its inaugural year in 2020.
Blizzard Entertainment’s Hearthstone Grandmasters also deserves mention as one among many card game based esports events offering substantial rewards to competitors who prove their prowess through strategic gameplay and tactical decision-making skills against opponents from all over world.
Lastly but certainly not least are fighting game tournaments like Evolution Championship Series (EVO). Although they may not offer as large a sum compared other games mentioned here due nature genre itself being more niche, these events still provide hefty cash prizes and are highly respected within gaming community.
While the prize pool is a significant factor in attracting players to these tournaments, it’s not just about the money. These events also offer a platform for gamers to showcase their skills on an international stage, gain recognition and build their careers in the esports industry. The growth of esports has been phenomenal and with increasing investments from major corporations, higher stakes tournaments are set to become even more commonplace in future. These tournaments have revolutionized professional gaming, making it a viable career choice for many talented individuals worldwide.