In the age of online gaming, the rise of Esports tournaments is unstoppable. With each matchup, it attracts millions of viewers and some of the biggest, most record-breaking prize pools. Tournaments like these collect all the best professional players and teams across the globe – especially for popular Esports titles. But what are the biggest of the biggest tournaments out there? In this guide, we’ll cover five of the most popular tournaments in Esports that you can follow every year.
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Top Esports Tournaments to Watch Every Year
If big Esports gamers like you want to try playing like the pros, you should definitely keep an eye out on these tournaments! Let’s break down the most iconic tournaments to date that you should know about.
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1) The International (DOTA 2)
When you’re thinking of the biggest Esports tournaments, The International (or TI) is the cherry on top. Organized by Valve, it’s one of the biggest tournaments to rake in crowds during the finals. This DOTA 2 tournament also offers massive prize pools, attracting global attention every year with zero fail.
- 2023 Winner: Team Spirit
- 2024 Winner: Team Liquid
- 2025 Status: The International 2025 (TI 2025 or TI 14) is happening at Hamburg, Germany in September.
The International is not only one of the richest Esports tournaments but also one of the most unpredictable. Each regional team participates in qualifiers in order to compete to get fame and wealth. The combination of strategy, high-skill team fights, and devoted fans is especially appreciated by the DOTA 2 fans.
2) League of Legends World Championship (LoL Worlds)
In relation to global coverage, not many Esports events can compete with LoL Worlds. The League of Legends event takes place every year. It’s also hosted by Riot Games whereby an all-star team of regional league winners competes against the other.
- 2024 Winner: T1
- 2025 Status: The 2025 LoL Worlds date is yet to be determined, but will be held in China.
This tournament is not to be missed by competitive PC game enthusiasts. Having massive audiences, professional production, and exhausting competitions, LoL Worlds has become one of the A-tier Esports tournaments out there. You can count on spectacular performances, mind-blowing team work, and massive fan power at every part of the tournament.
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3) Valorant Champions Tour (VCT)
Tactical shooter Valorant by Riot Games has gained its niche in esports. The Valorant Champions Tour includes regional leagues, Masters events around the world and the ultimate Champions final.
- 2024 Winner: EDward Gaming (China)
- 2025 Events:
- Masters Bangkok: Won by T1, held between Feb 20 – Mar 2
- Masters Toronto: Won by Paper Rex, held between Jun 7 – Jun 22
- Champions Paris: Sep 12 – Oct 5
The 2025 VCT will be even larger, having new locations and additional high-stakes matches. The 2024 winner, EDward Gaming was one of a kind, as the first international Chinese team that’s won in a major Valorant tournament. As the story lines unfold, the VCT is among the most interesting to follow in Esports tournaments.
4) Call of Duty League Championship (CDL Championship)
The CDL Championship is the highest Call of Duty competition and franchised teams compete against each other to win it. It is intense, upbeat and full of action.
- 2023 Winner: New York Subliners
- 2024 Winner: OpTic Texas
- 2025 Winner: OpTic Texas
If you are a fan of FPS games, then the CDL provides the intensity and highlight reels. It is the best Esports tournament in itself in terms of structure, fan input, as well as standards of production.
5) Esports World Cup (EWC)
Looking for the “Olympics of Esports”? In 2024, the Esports World Cup gathered players and esports tournaments from all over the world to compete for the coveted $20 million prize pool. It is the biggest prize pool on record, and it’s no surprise when Riyadh, Saudi Arabia hosted the multi-game tournament festival. It covers such titles in all genres and designates a special, Club Champion rated overall performance on the team.
- 2024 Club Champion: Team Falcons (Saudi Arabia)
- 2025 Dates: July 8 – August 24
- Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Legends such as T1 (LoL Worlds), Gaimin Gladiators (DOTA 2) and Atlanta FaZe (Call of Duty) won in 2024. The 2025 event, with Riot Games partnership and the largest-ever prize money allocation ($27 million), is currently happening in Riyadh. And it is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about Esports showdowns this year!
Final Thoughts
There has never been a better time to be an Esports fan. That’s whether you are watching the serious stakes of The International, the excitement of LoL Worlds, or the multi-competition insanity of the Esports World Cup. It is here that legends are created and history is made!
To fans in India, 12BET India provides timely updates and information on these key Esports tournaments. Here to provide you match previews or team statistics for all the major showdowns in Esports!