Biggest E-Sports Tournaments in the World

The world of e-sports has exploded over the past few decades, becoming a global phenomenon that draws in millions of fans, players, and investors. These days, top e-sports tournaments don’t just compete with traditional sports for audience and prize money—they’re totally changing what competition means in the digital age.

From League of Legends and Dota 2 to Counter-Strike, Free Fire, and many more, game publishers are using these events to hook a new audience that’s hyped for high-stakes showdowns.

But which tournaments really stand out on the global stage? Which events feature those jaw-dropping prize pools and unforgettable stories? And how can you keep up with the action blending tech, culture, and sports all in one place?

In this article, you’ll get to know the top e-sports championships around the world. You’ll also see how these events impact the industry and find out why they’re so captivating. If you want to understand why e-sports are considered the future of competitive entertainment, keep reading and discover the tournaments that are shaping this digital revolution.

Biggest E-Sports Tournaments in the World

Capcom Cup

The Capcom Cup is an annual fighting game tournament centered around the Street Fighter series. Run by Capcom, the first event took place in 2013, featuring three main games: Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, and Street Fighter X Tekken, each with eight qualifying tournaments.

All editions so far have happened in the United States, but the next one, in 2025, is set for Tokyo—one of the most iconic spots for fans of the franchise. The 2024 edition featured a $1 million prize for the winner. Taiwan’s Wang “UMA” Yuan-hao came out on top using mostly the character Juri.

A big highlight was the prize money—one of the largest ever paid out in this genre. Quick shoutout to EVO, another legendary fighting game tournament held yearly in the U.S. Major legends like Daigo Umehara (famous for his Street Fighter skills) and, more recently, SonicFox (multi-time champ across several games, especially Mortal Kombat) first rose to fame there.

M World Championship

The M World Championship is the world tournament for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Hosted by game developer Moonton, this event is a huge deal in Southeast Asia, constantly breaking viewership records and offering bigger prize pools every year.

In 2024, the M6 World Championship raised almost $4.2 million to split among teams, with $1 million going to the winners (according to Esports Earnings). The numbers are wild: In 2023, the livestream peaked at 5 million viewers, averaged 475,000 viewers, and racked up a total of 72 million watched hours.

All editions so far have taken place in Asian countries like Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. In 2021, Brazil’s Red Canids participated, finishing between 13th and 16th and taking home about $10,000.

ESL One

ESL One is one of the most prestigious Dota 2 tournaments out there, hosted by ESL (Electronic Sports League), one of the most respected e-sports organizations in the world. Founded in Germany in 2000, ESL became known for high-level competitions and professionalizing electronic sports.

ESL One is a key Dota 2 event, bringing the world’s top teams together for epic battles and huge visibility. It’s been held in cities like Katowice, Birmingham, and Kuala Lumpur, drawing thousands of in-person fans and millions watching online. The 2023 Berlin event had a $1 million prize pool and peaked at over 700,000 concurrent viewers (per Esports Charts).

This tournament cements itself as a must-watch for Dota 2 fans and helps keep the game’s competitive scene thriving. ESL also runs other major circuits like DreamLeague and the Dota Pro Tour (in partnership with Valve), further boosting the pro scene. ESL’s focus goes beyond just running events—they also support up-and-coming talent and innovate on broadcasting.

Six Invitational

The Six Invitational is the top-tier tournament for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, run by Ubisoft. As a Major, it’s basically Rainbow Six’s world championship—gathering the best teams to compete for the title and a hefty prize.

Since its debut in 2017, the Six Invitational has become an annual must-see for fans, and it’s also where Ubisoft reveals big game updates, new operators, and key changes. Brazilian teams have won the title three times: NiP in Paris (2021), W7M (2024), and FaZe Clan in Boston (2025). The most recent edition averaged 130,000 viewers.

Alongside the hype matches, the event is well-produced and has an amazing atmosphere, featuring panels, dev and player meetups, and interactive activities. Winning the Six Invitational is the ultimate career achievement in Rainbow Six Siege—it’s all about cementing your legacy and making unforgettable memories. Whether you’re a big e-sports fan or love Rainbow Six Siege, this tourney is a can’t-miss.

Worlds

The League of Legends World Championship, or Worlds, is the biggest LoL event there is, organized by Riot Games. Since 2011, Worlds has brought together top teams from competitive regions like LCK (Korea), LPL (China), LEC (Europe), North America, South America (Brazil), and more to fight for the world champ title.

Known for its insane production value, epic opening ceremonies, and high-quality broadcast, Worlds is easily the world’s most-watched e-sports event. The event partners with huge bands like Imagine Dragons, NewJeans, and luxury brands like Tiffany & Co., adding extra glam and hype.

Viewership keeps hitting new highs — 2023 and 2024 saw peaks of 6.4 and 6.8 million viewers, not even counting the massive Chinese audience. Worlds is full of epic storylines, intense rivalries, and legendary moments—thanks to players like Faker, the five-time world champ widely considered the greatest LoL player ever.

The prize money is huge, but the legacy from winning Worlds is even bigger. It’s a true celebration of the game, with multi-language broadcasts and interactive experiences. Worlds isn’t just a tournament; it’s a global phenomenon that’s redefining competition and entertainment in gaming.

The International

The International (TI) is the grandest and most prestigious Dota 2 tournament, organized by Valve. Since 2011, it’s brought together the best squads to compete for one of e-sports’ biggest prize pools ever.

The 2021 edition shattered records, with a prize pool topping $40 million—funded by the player community through in-game item purchases (like the Battle Pass). TI isn’t just another event; it’s a celebration of the fans’ deep love for Dota 2.

The 2021 TI smashed viewership too, peaking at 2.7 million viewers with an average of 857,000 throughout. Team Spirit took home the trophy—and $18.2 million. TI is legendary for its stories, like OG’s back-to-back wins in 2018 and 2019, making them one of the greatest teams in Dota 2 history. For players, winning TI is the ultimate achievement—career-defining and life-changing.