Top 5 Esports Leagues in Terms of Popularity

The esports phenomenon has experienced a transformational journey in the quickly changing world of professional gaming. What was once a specialized hobby has become a worldwide phenomenon and captured the imagination of millions of people. Esports leagues are at the vanguard of this change, giving talented players a stage to compete and display their abilities.

In the dynamic esports landscape of 2023, several nations have become dominant forces, contributing significantly to the industry’s growth. China leads the pack with an impressive player count of 6,706 and astounding total prize money of $236,608,159. The United States follows closely, boasting 23,626 players and cumulative prize money of $224,901,776.

Valorant Champions Tour (VCT):

Introduced in 2020, Valorant, despite its relative youth, has swiftly earned remarkable fame and recognition. With an impressive viewership of 1.5 million during past tournaments, its meteoric ascent speaks to its captivating gameplay and fervent fan engagement. The 2022 Valorant Champions Tour showcased an enthralling final clash between LOUD and OpTic Gaming, mesmerizing viewers with intense strategies and potential as an esports spectacle.

Highlighting the event’s significance, the substantial $1 million prize pool underscores Valorant’s growing prominence, as LOUD’s triumphant victory in the VCT 2022 concluded a series of competitive battles, etching their name in history while securing a substantial share of the reward.

The DOTA 2 International:

The DOTA 2 International is a revered haven for gamers within the vast expanse of esports. In the journey of esports tournaments, International 2022 marked the 11th iteration of the Dota 2 extravaganza. With each passing year, the event continues to defy expectations, setting new benchmarks for viewership engagement. The 2022 edition, in particular, achieved a remarkable milestone by amassing an unprecedented viewership of approximately 1.7 million.

The most recent edition boasted an astonishing prize pool of $19 million, a staggering figure that echoes the magnitude of the tournament.

Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS):

Articulated into three seasons – Fall, Winter, and Spring – the RLCS is a platform for players and teams to showcase their prowess in thrilling Rocket League matches. A highlight of 2022 was the unveiling of a staggering $2 million prize pool for RLCS, igniting fervor within the gaming community. The recently concluded RLCS 2022-23 Winter split drew an impressive concurrent viewership of 200,000, a testament to the series’ magnetic appeal.

With the RLCS Spring split set for July 2023 and the main championship scheduled for August 2023, the esports world eagerly anticipates the continued rise of Rocket League’s competitive fervor.

League of Legends World Championship

The League of Legends World Championship is a leading global esports event, held annually and attracting a substantial viewership of 5 million. With a prize pool surpassing $2 million in 2022, this championship entices esports gamers worldwide to compete in the thrilling League of Legends battles. Teams worldwide showcase their skill and passion in a captivating display that captivates audiences.

ESL Pro League

The ESL Pro League spotlights Counter-Strike: Global Offensive with 24 competing teams, offering a storied history that incentivizes players with larger cash pools. In the recent ESL Pro season 17 held in March, viewership surged to around 517,000. Additionally, the announcement of Counter-Strike 2 last month propelled concurrent players for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, a trend expected to enhance tournament viewership and player skills.

Final words

Powered by the success of these leagues, esports has a bright future that seems even more captivating. The appeal of these leagues will only grow as technology develops, fan participation increases, and new generations of players appear on the scene.