Top 5 cyber sports games by prize money in 2025

Gambling as a profession? Ten years ago it seemed absurd. Today, cyber-athletes not only live their dream, but earn millions of dollars from it. How is it possible that people who spend long hours behind a screen have joined the ranks of the highest paid professionals? We tell you who turned the idea of earning money on its head and became the richest cyber-athletes of our time.

10: Topson, the player who surprised everyone

Topias ‘Topson’ Taavitsainen is a cyber-athlete whose story proves that courage and creativity can lead to millions. He started playing in computer clubs in Finland and proved to the world that even a small-town boy can become a world star. The early years of Topson’s career were not very successful. He remained in the shadow of better-known players, but in 2018 everything changed.

Prize money in eSports tournaments became his main goal, and with OG he achieved incredible success by winning The International twice in a row. Topson has become a symbol of an unconventional approach. In addition to awards, he has signed several lucrative contracts with sponsors, including giants such as Red Bull and Secretlab.

8 and 9: The brotherhood of gamers and their incredible merits – s1mple and FalleN

Alexander ‘s1mple’ Kostylev is the true embodiment of skill and hard work in the world of CS. His skills and aggressive play style have led the Natus Vincere team to victory in countless tournaments. s1mple is a phenomenon that inspires generations of young players.

A list of the richest CS cyber-athletes would not be possible without him. His income includes prize money from tournaments as well as multi-million dollar contracts with sponsors. His partners include Logitech, G2A and various streaming platforms where he regularly attracts tens of thousands of viewers.

FalleN is a legend in Brazil

Gabriel ‘FalleN’ Toledo is a key figure in the development of Brazilian eSports. Thanks to his successes with teams SK Gaming and MIBR, he has built up a veritable army of fans. FalleN is also a mentor to many young players who want to emulate his success. FalleN’s main income comes from prize money, contracts and his own Fallen Store brand, making him one of the richest eSports players in the world.

7 and 6: The true titans of eSports Olympus – Miracle and Puppey

Amer ‘Miracle’ Al-Barkawi is a player who is spoken of with admiration not only by fans, but also by his peers. His career started with a simple passion for Dota 2, which grew into a world-class career. In 2015, Miracle became the first member to achieve a record MMR score, which immediately drew attention to his talent. As a member of Team Liquid, he won The International 2017. The world’s richest cybersport players could not exist without legends like this.

Miracle- Known for his impeccable strategies and ability to turn the game in his team’s favour in even the most difficult situations. His financial achievements include not only prize money, but also countless advertising contracts. Red Bull, Alienware and other companies are doing everything they can to get their hands on the cybersports star’s name.

Puppey is an experienced captain

Klement ‘Puppey’ Ivanov is a man whose name is familiar to all Dota 2 fans. He is one of the few who has participated in every The International since the very beginning. His career started in 2007 and since then he has always been among the elite of global eSports. Puppey’s success is a story of leadership, tactics and the ability to lead a team to victory.

As a member of Team Secret, Puppey has won numerous tournaments, including the DreamLeague and ESL. Wealthy eSports players realise that financial success in eSports is not only about prize money, but also about sponsorship deals, streaming and long-term investments. Puppey actively collaborates with brands such as Corsair and Monster Energy.

5 and 4: commercial winners N0tail and JerAx

Johan ‘N0tail’ Sundstein is a cyber-athlete who has become a true leader of his team and an inspiration to millions of fans. He started his career in Heroes of Newerth, but later moved to Dota 2, where he became captain of OG. Under his leadership, the team won two The Internationals in a row, making him not only a legend, but also a multi-millionaire – one of the richest cyber athletes.

Over the course of his career, N0tail has earned more than $7 million in prize money alone. His influence goes beyond a single session: streaming broadcasts, sponsorship deals, content creation and even involvement in the launch of his own brand. Johan has partnered with companies such as Red Bull and Secretlab, helping him to remain financially stable and continue to grow.

JerAx is a master of support

Jesse ‘JerAx’ Winicka is known for his incredible support skills. He is the man behind the success of the entire team’s actions and ensures victory at critical moments. His contribution to the Olympic Games, where he won two international matches, cannot be overstated.

The list of the best cybersport players by major victories would not be complete without JerAx. His international tournament victories have earned him millions of dollars and his skill has made him one of the most recognisable players on the world stage. Even after his career, JerAx continues to earn money through sponsorship deals and investments. His portfolio includes companies such as Nike and Monster Energy.

3: Greatness perfected – Dendi

Danil ‘Dendi’ Ishutin is one of the most famous players in Dota 2 history. Dendi became the face of Team Na’Vi and a symbol of early success in The International. His unique approach to training and constant pursuit of perfection made him a management icon. He earned millions from sponsorship deals, advertising campaigns and regular streamings and entered the rankings of the richest cyber-athletes.

2: The golden line of success – KuroKy

Kuro ‘KuroKy’ Salehi Tahasomi is one of the most experienced and respected representatives of Dota 2. KuroKy has been competing in The International since the beginning and was the captain of the Liquid team that won the tournament in 2017. His experience and leadership skills have helped him remain at the top of cybersport’s Olympus. His contributions to Liquid and other teams have made him one of the most successful and wealthy players in history.

1: The ultimate eSports champion is Faker

Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyuk is a legendary League of Legends player who won the world championship three times with Team T1. Faker is known for his incredible skill and flexibility, which has kept him undefeated over the years. His successful career and loyalty to a team have made him one of the richest cyber athletes. Faker has been in the business for more than 10 years and has earned millions of dollars.

What eSports revenues depend on

E-sports revenue depends on many factors: the level of play, sponsors, tournament success and even popularity on social media. How much do professional gamers earn?

League of Legends’ Lee “Faker” Sang Hyuk earns $5-6 million a year, including salary, sponsorships and streaming. Dota 2’s Daniel “Dendi” Ishutin earned over $1 million from tournaments, with an estimated total income of $2-3 million. At the peak of their careers, players like s1mple in CS earn between $1.5 and $2 million a year, including salaries, sponsorships and streaming.

Dreams, games and millions on the books

Each of these gamers started as a mere amateur and has now become a leader who inspires millions. The richest eSports players are shining examples of how gaming can become not just a hobby, but a career that generates millions.

VALORANT Champions is the pinnacle of everything that thousands of esports athletes around the world strive for. The atmosphere of this event is imbued with an incredible spirit of competition, where every second is worth its weight in gold. Here, the best of the best strive to prove their superiority on the global stage, competing for the title of champion. VALORANT Champions has become a symbol of passion, strategy, and the highest level of skill, attracting millions of viewers and showing that esports is the epicenter of new legends and unexpected turns.

VALORANT Champions tournament format: how it all works

The organization of VALORANT Champions is a meticulous development of each stage, from the group round to the exciting finals. This year, 16 teams from different parts of the world took part: Europe, North America, South Korea, Brazil and other regions. The teams were divided into four groups, each of which went through incredibly tense matches in the Double Elimination format: any mistake could be fatal.

The essence of the format was maximum intrigue. After the group stage, the best teams advanced to the playoffs, where they were faced with the Single Elimination system. There was no room for error here — one lost match sent the team home. The playoff stage included eight of the strongest teams that fought for a place in the grand final. The final is a grand battle, full of unexpected moves and tactical decisions, when every action can change the course of history.

A special feature of the tournament format was that the organizers sought to make each meeting as spectacular as possible, adding elements of interactivity for viewers. Live broadcasts were accompanied by analytical inserts, interviews with players and unique content behind the scenes, which allowed viewers to feel like part of this large-scale event.

VALORANT Champions 2024 Results: Who and How Won the Cup

VALORANT Champions 2024 was a thrilling and dramatic event. South Korean team DRX emerged victorious with flawless play and top-notch strategic mastery. They faced Fnatic from Europe in the finals, and the match was a masterpiece of tactics and tension. The teams were neck and neck, and every point was a thrilling experience for the crowd.

The key was the use of fast breaks and unexpected splits, which caught the opponent off guard. DRX was able to not only adapt to their opponent’s tactics, but also outplay them with coordination and precise execution. Spectators witnessed great individual performances, such as Jett’s ultimate and Killjoy’s lightning-fast frags, which literally blew the crowd away.

DRX’s victory is proof that the Asian esports scene is reaching a new level, capable of competing with the world’s greats. The final clash was the culmination of a tense tournament that will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most dramatic.

VALORANT Champions Participants: The Best Teams and Players to Remember

There were teams among the VALORANT Champions participants whose performances were unforgettable for a long time. Teams like LOUD from Brazil, Sentinels from North America, and ZETA Division from Japan showed an incredible level, each with their own unique style. LOUD, for example, is known for its aggressive style, when the team tries to seize the initiative from the first minutes, relying on speed and pressure.

There were also impressive individual feats. Fnatic member Boaster showed incredible leadership and confidence, leading the team through the most difficult matches. His tactical decisions and precise coordination were key in several important matches.

Viewers also noted the excellent play of professional eSportsman MaKo from DRX, whose confident actions in defense and accurate shots allowed the Koreans to reach the final. DRX used several interesting strategic tactics that helped them achieve success:

1. Fast breakthrough tactics. Unexpected rapid advancement to key points of the map forces the opponent to adapt to the changing situation and lose the initiative.
2. Fake maneuvers. Participants created the illusion of an attack on one side of the map, while the main group was preparing a sudden entry to another position, which effectively disoriented the opponents.
3. Individual picks. MaKo and other players focused on quickly eliminating dangerous opponents, reducing the pressure on the team and opening up space for further action.
4. Coordination and communication. A high level of coherence and constant communication allowed them to precisely coordinate their actions, which was especially evident at critical moments of the game, when every second counts.
5. Control of the economic component. Proper management of the economy allowed for the regular use of more powerful weapons and equipment, providing an advantage in critical rounds.

History of VALORANT Champions: the path from an idea to a global tournament

The idea of ​​creating VALORANT Champions arose as an attempt to unite esports athletes from all over the world in one discipline that could compete with existing giants such as CS and Dota 2. Since its launch in 2021, the tournament has gone from a modest event to a grand championship gathering millions of viewers around the world.

At the initial stages, the organization faced many difficulties, including the need to create a fair system for selecting teams and ensure high-quality broadcasts. However, the efforts of the organizers were justified. Today, VALORANT Champions is a large-scale show with a well-thought-out infrastructure, where every element, from team setups to match analytics, is aimed at creating a unique viewing experience.

The influence of VALORANT Champions on the development of esports is difficult to overestimate. The tournament made a significant contribution to the popularization of the discipline and proved that VALORANT is capable of taking an important place among other esports disciplines. The unique format and approach to organization, as well as the involvement of the global community, made VALORANT Champions an integral part of modern esports culture.

Conclusion

Everyone who follows the VALORANT Champions becomes part of a big family where passion for the game unites millions of people. This tournament is a celebration of skill, strategy and determination to win, showing that the possibilities in eSports are endless and that gaming can be an art worthy of admiration.