5 Most Expensive Esports League In 2023

Over the last ten years, the esports sector has expanded quickly and grown to be a major component of the sports and entertainment industries. It now includes a broad variety of video game competitions and has grown into a very popular worldwide phenomenon. Over the past ten years, this development has also led to an explosion in viewership and income, making what were once modest get-togethers between friends in bars and gaming cafés to be among the most financially rewarding industries globally.

When did this growth start, then? Without question, the inaugural The International, which took place in 2011 in the then-new game Dota 2, was one of the industry’s turning points. It had an outrageous $1 million prize pool, which at the time was unheard of. Since then, the sector has developed to the point that, by 2023, prize money will have expanded by nearly 10 times, with much more potential.

Prize pools are a vital part of esports and are important in drawing teams, players, and spectators to events. Prize money in esports has increased dramatically over time, with millions of dollars being awarded in prize money at some of the biggest competitions. In esports, prize money is usually supported by a number of sources, including as sponsorships, advertising, and proceeds from the sale of tickets and goods. Prize money is often divided among the top competitors, with the victors taking home the biggest portion.

Major competitions like League of Legends World Championship, Fortnite World Cup, and The International (Dota 2) have awarded some of the largest prize pools. The International Dota 2 tournament in 2021 had the highest prize pool in esports history, with a total of nearly $40 million, however that record will be surpassed this year.

Since the majority of the early esports competitions were run by ardent players without the backing or sponsorship that is seen today, the prize pools were little to write home about. A Ferrari and Quake were engaged in one of the first rewards, which is now a legendary tale.

Dennis “Thresh” Fong, who was acknowledged by Guinness World Records as the first professional gamer, participated in the Red Annihilation Quake Tournament, one of the first esports competitions, during the 1997 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). The award that the winner of the competition received? A Ferrari 328GTS convertible owned by John Carmack, CEO of id Software.

But when word got out about his narrative and several more competitively viable games emerged, things started to change in the 2000s. Hundreds of esports athletes from all over the world competed in the World Cyber Games, an international esports competition featuring many game titles, which gave rise to the nickname “Esports Olympics.”

Starting at $200K, the overall prize fund for this competition has gradually increased to $300K, 420K, $580K, and $612K at different times. Many claim that this was the largest esports competition for a considerable amount of time, at least until the 2000s, before the major leagues that are known now began to participate.

There has never been a more promising future, and a career in esports might not get any better. These esports competitions are anticipated to award record-breaking quantities of money this year, keeping that in mind.

Esports Leagues with the Biggest Payouts

5. Worlds of League of Legends – between $2.25 and $3 million

The creator of the well-known multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game League of Legends, Riot Games, hosts the League of Legends World Championship, commonly referred to as Worlds, every year. Teams from all over the globe are pitted against one another in this competition in an attempt to win a portion of the multi-million dollar prize fund and the title of global champion.

Millions of fans tune in to witness the action every year in one of the greatest esports games in the world: League of Legends World Championship. The World Championship includes a number of other events and activities in addition to the main tournament, such as fan festivals and All-Star events.

Since the competition’s launch in 2011, it has expanded dramatically, with both the prize fund and the number of participating teams rising yearly. The League of Legends Worlds prize pool is anticipated to range between $2.25 million to $3 million this year. With 22 teams competing across three stages of competition in two locations, it will take place in a new format from October 10 to November 19.

The Play-In Stage will be held in Seoul’s LoL Park from October 10 to October 15. The Swiss Stage will be held in Seoul’s KBS Arena from October 19 to October 23 and from October 26 to October 29. The Sajik Indoor Gymnasium in Busan will host the Knockouts’ Quarterfinals (November 2–5) and Semifinals (November 11–12).

The largest indoor stadium in the nation, the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, will host the Finals on November 19. Kiwoom Heroes, a baseball team headquartered in Seoul, plays their home games at this location.

4. The $4 million FNCS Global Championship in 2023

Fortnite is returning with an in-person event that is well worth the ticket price, following much wrangling with players and fans. The $4 million prize pool FNCS Global Championship 2023 will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, even if it isn’t the Fortnite World Cup.

Typically, the famous battle royale-building game’s creator, Epic Games, hosts a number of offline and online events under the Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS). There will be three main tournaments this year, the first of which takes place in February and lasts for five weeks.

A significant feature of the Fortnite esports calendar in 2023 will be the FNCS Global Championship, where the top teams and players from across the globe will be vying for a sizable prize pool. Millions of people are expected to witness the action live and virtually, as the event is expected to attract a sizable viewership.

All things considered, this highly anticipated Fortnite competition has the potential to be a noteworthy occasion in the esports scene, and we can anticipate seeing the top teams and individuals from all over the world compete.

3. The $4.5 million PUBG Mobile Global Championship

Every year, an esports competition known as the PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) is held for the well-known battle royale smartphone game. Top teams from all around the world compete against one another for a piece of the multi-million dollar prize pool in one of the most watched esports tournaments.

The PMPL (PUBG Mobile Pro League) and PMSL (PUBG Mobile Super League), two regional tournaments that act as qualifiers for the main event, are among the events offered by the PMGC. The best teams from each area then participate in the PMGC Finals, which usually happen in one spot over a few days.

Millions of fans tune in to witness the action every year in what is widely considered to be one of the most renowned and competitive PUBG Mobile competitions worldwide. Since its launch in 2018, the competition has expanded dramatically, with both the prize fund and the number of participating teams rising yearly.

All things considered, the PUBG Mobile Global Championship is a noteworthy occasion in the competitive gaming industry and a big highlight of the PUBG Mobile esports schedule. This time around, a respectable $4.5 million prize fund will be up for grabs.

2. International 12 — Between $25 and $30 million

The creator of the renowned multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game, Valve Corporation, hosts the yearly Dota 2 esports competition known as The International (TI). Competing for the title of globe Champion and a piece of the multi-million dollar prize pool, which is anticipated to be between $25 million and $30 million this year, are the top Dota 2 teams in the globe.

The International usually lasts for many days and consists of a double-elimination tournament after a group stage. Every group has top teams that move on to the upper bracket and lowest teams that go to the lower bracket. Teams play each other in a best-of-three format, with a best-of-five series for the grand finals.

Millions of fans tune in to witness the action every year in The International, which is widely considered as one of the greatest esports games ever created. With its long history, the competition has been the scene of some of the most famous events in esports history, including “The Play” in 2012.

The International offers a wide range of other events and activities in addition to the main tournament, such as fan meetups, cosplay contests, and All-Star games. The International is a noteworthy occasion in the competitive gaming scene as well as a big highlight of the Dota 2 esports schedule.

1. The $45 million Land of Heroes

Gamers8, a Saudi Arabian esports organization, revealed The Land of Heroes, their 2023 competition, at the beginning of March. The fact that it would have the biggest prize fund of any esports competition—$45 million—made it historically significant.

This record-breaking prize money will be divided by Gamers8 across a number of unannounced games. It included six games in the previous year: Rocket League, Fortnite, Dota 2, Rainbow Six Siege, and PUBG Mobile.

The prize fund for this year was originally set at $30 million by the firm, but it has now been extended to three times the $15 million reward pool for 2022. They wanted it to be “bigger in every way,” with more games and a higher prize fund, which is why they did this.

Players will receive incentives similar to those from last year, and there’s still a potential that this sum may be raised even more. One of the Saudi government’s companies, Savvy Gaming Group, has paid a total of $1.5 billion to acquire two of the largest event organizers, ESL Gaming and FACEIT, as part of its goal to dominate the esports market.

All things considered, the esports market is expanding quickly and becoming more active, drawing more participants, spectators, and investment than it has in the past. In the years to come, we may anticipate esports to play an even bigger role in the sports and entertainment landscape thanks to the industry’s continuing expansion and professionalization.