The biggest eSports tournaments of 2025: battles of titans and record prize money

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.

Technology moves forward and trends change, but cybersports has long held a place of honour in the lives of millions of people. Cybersport championships gather entire stadiums, and some tournaments attract audiences more than the finals of popular sporting events. Choosing a game in this context becomes the most important step to the top of success, because each project is a separate world with its own rules, peculiarities and mechanics. Let’s take a look at what professionals play today and what top cybersport games have earned their popularity.

Cybersport hits: popular games that have conquered the world

Popular cybersport games have long since become not just entertainment, but a real way of life for many players. The top projects are known all over the world. Each of the games has unique mechanics and offers completely different ways of interacting with the game world. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Dota 2 is a symbol of strategic mastery

A complex strategy game that combines a deep tactical component and unique character abilities. The annual championship of The International has become a symbol of success for many professionals, and the multi-million dollar prize money attracts both new teams and veterans of the scene. Dota 2 is not just a popular game, it is a true stage for displaying skill and strategic depth.

League of Legends – dynamics and teamwork at the highest level

The cybersport game LoL is characterised by faster-paced gameplay and an emphasis on player interaction. Riot Games, the developers of the project, actively support competitions by creating an extensive ecosystem of tournaments and leagues. LoL World Championships gather millions of spectators from all over the world, and the game allows you to demonstrate not only personal skills, but also teamwork at a high level.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive – speed, accuracy and strategy

A game in which reaction speed, shooting accuracy and teamwork make the difference. Simple and clear gameplay attracts many players, and the huge popularity of CS in cybersports is due to its accessibility and the ability to instantly start the game (without a long learning curve). Not only individual qualities are important here, but also strategy and tactics, which determine the outcome of each round.

Legends of the professional scene: the best cyber sports games

Not every project can boast a huge return on the part of players. We will list those that have truly become legendary. These are cyber sports games that offer a unique balance of complexity and depth:

1. StarCraft II is a classic among real-time strategy games. A game that requires not only lightning-fast reactions, but also the ability to predict the opponent’s moves. Professional StarCraft II tournaments attract spectators with their dynamism and high level of skill. Against this backdrop, every victory is the result of hard work and a deep understanding of the gameplay.
2. Valorant is a relatively new game, but it has already managed to take a place among the best. Riot Games managed to create not just another shooter, but a full-fledged cybersports project with a deep strategy and colourful characters.
3. FIFA is one of the few sports simulators interesting in the world of cybersport. Here accuracy and calculation are important, and each match is an opportunity to demonstrate your skill and ability to read your opponent. FIFA tournaments are often organised as part of major sporting events.

Secrets of successful selection of a cyber sports game

Games vary in genre, style, and player requirements, and each of these aspects plays a key role in the selection process. Genres of cybersport games include:

• Strategies;
• shooters;
• sports simulators;
• many other areas.

It is important to keep in mind that some projects require advanced tactical thinking and teamwork, while others require reaction speed and individual skills. For beginners, it is better to start with more accessible games like Rocket League or PUBG, where you can get an idea of the basic aspects of cyber sports and understand your strengths.

Another factor to pay attention to when choosing a project is developer support and regular updates. The success of a cyber sports game largely depends on how often the creators add new content, fix bugs and listen to the community. An example is Fortnite, where regular updates keep the audience interested and create new challenges for players.

Cybersport tournaments: the arena for true champions

Competitions play a key role in shaping the professional scene. Without them, no cybersport game would reach the level of global recognition.

The International is the pinnacle of the cybersport Olympus

The International is the biggest Dota 2 tournament that annually gathers the best teams from all over the world. The prize funds break all records, attracting the attention of not only players but also big sponsors. Winning The International for a team is, without exaggeration, the pinnacle of a cybersport career. The event is comparable to winning the Olympic Games for any athlete.

League of Legends World Championship – the epicentre of global confrontation

A real spectacle, organised on an unbelievable scale. The professional teams that make it to the tournament undergo a strict selection process, which makes participation there a symbol of the highest level of skill. The arenas where the final matches take place are comparable to the venues for major sporting events, which emphasises the status of cybersports in the world.

PGL Major in CS – the battle of the titans in the world of shooters

PGL Major in CS also attracts a huge audience and offers colourful matches where every detail matters: from weapon selection to team tactics. Tournaments form real fan communities around the games, and cyber sportsmen become idols for millions of people.

Cybersport teams in games

Players join teams to achieve better results, while coaches and managers help to coordinate actions, develop tactics and maintain physical fitness. It is teamwork that becomes the determining factor on the road to victory.

Some of the most celebrated are:

• Team Liquid;
• Natus Vincere;
• Fnatic.

These names are known to anyone who has ever been interested in cybersports. Teams have achieved success through cohesion, hard training and a willingness to continuously learn. it is worth knowing that a team consists of more than just players. Analysts, coaches and even physiotherapists play a huge role. Thanks to them, team members can concentrate as much as possible on their main task.

Games in cyber sports require teamwork, especially projects such as Dota 2 and CS, where success depends on each participant. Teams develop tactics, train for hours and constantly analyse mistakes in order to demonstrate the best results at tournaments. This is how legends emerge.

Conclusion

Professional players choose the best projects that give them the opportunity to show their skills, participate in major tournaments and work in a team with like-minded people. Cybersport is a world where everyone can try their hand and achieve success, you just need to take the first step and choose your game. Perhaps it’s time to try yourself and become part of this exciting world.