Esports tournaments take video games to the next level – they’re like gamer versions of athletic championships that attract millions of viewers and global brands. Whether they’re played in packed arenas or streamed online, they’re full of high-stakes competition and the best players battling for glory and cash prizes.
While esports have been around since the early days of gaming, they have grown into an industry in their own right. The biggest esports tournaments draw millions of spectators, with the top teams competing for prize pools in the tens of millions of dollars.
For many, the most prestigious event is the League of Legends World Championship. This event is known for its nailbiting matches, which have produced some of the most emotional moments in esports history. Other major esports tournaments include Dota 2’s The International and the FPS-specific Intel Extreme Masters.
In addition to the big esports tournaments, there are a number of smaller events that don’t receive as much attention but are just as important for the development of esports and the growth of professional gamers. These smaller tournaments are often run by third-party organizations, including ESL, BLAST Premier and PGL.
Established in 2004, esports organization Fnatic has made its name with dominance across a variety of titles. Their wins at the first League of Legends World Championship and three major Counter-Strike titles have cemented their place as one of the most successful esports teams in the world.