Competitive Esports Examples: The Biggest Games and Tournaments

Esports is organized, competitive video gaming with professional players, teams, leagues and big-money tournaments. It is not one sport but many, because each game has its own rules, skills and competitive scene. Here are the biggest examples, grouped by genre.

MOBA games

Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games pit two teams of five against each other, each trying to destroy the other's base.

• League of Legends – The most watched esport in the world. Its annual World Championship, known as Worlds, draws enormous online audiences, and regional leagues run in North America, Europe, Korea and China.
• Dota 2 – Famous for The International, a tournament that for years offered the largest prize pools in esports, funded in part by players buying in-game items.

Tactical shooters

• Counter-Strike 2 – One of the oldest competitive shooters. Teams of five take turns attacking and defending bomb sites. The Majors are its most prestigious events.
• Valorant – A tactical shooter with characters who have special abilities. Its Champions event closes the competitive season.
• Call of Duty – The Call of Duty League uses city-based franchise teams similar to traditional US sports.

Battle royale

• Fortnite – Large numbers of players drop onto an island and fight until one player or team remains. Its 2019 World Cup awarded a then-record prize to a teenage solo champion.
• Apex Legends and PUBG – Team-based battle royale games with their own global championships.

Sports games

• EA Sports FC (formerly FIFA) – Soccer simulation with competitions supported by real clubs and leagues.
• Madden NFL – American football simulation with an annual championship.
• NBA 2K – Basketball simulation; the NBA ran its own esports league with teams tied to real franchises.
• Rocket League – Soccer played with rocket-powered cars, popular with younger players and college teams.

Fighting games

• Street Fighter, Tekken and Mortal Kombat – One-on-one fighting games with a passionate grassroots community.
• Super Smash Bros. – Nintendo's platform fighter with a long-running competitive scene.
• The Evo tournament in Las Vegas is the biggest annual gathering of the fighting game community.

At a glance

Game	Genre	Team size	Biggest event
League of Legends	MOBA	5	World Championship
Dota 2	MOBA	5	The International
Counter-Strike 2	Tactical shooter	5	Majors
Valorant	Tactical shooter	5	Champions
Fortnite	Battle royale	Solo, duo, squad	Global Championship
Rocket League	Sports	3	World Championship
Street Fighter / Tekken	Fighting	1	Evo

How esports competitions work

Most esports follow a structure similar to traditional sports. Teams compete in regional leagues during a season, with the best teams qualifying for international events. Some games use franchised leagues, where teams buy a permanent spot, like the NFL or NBA. Others use open circuits, where any team can try to qualify through online tournaments.

Big events take place in arenas, with players on stage, commentators known as "casters," instant replays and live audiences. Millions more watch online on streaming platforms. Matches are usually played as a best-of-three or best-of-five series, and finals can last several hours.

What it takes to be a pro gamer

• Mechanical skill – precise mouse, keyboard or controller control and fast reactions.
• Game knowledge – understanding maps, characters, items and the current "meta," the strategies that work best in the latest version of the game.
• Teamwork – constant communication with teammates during matches.
• Practice – professional players often train many hours a day, reviewing their own games and opponents' tactics.
• Mental strength – handling pressure on stage in front of big crowds.
• Physical health – many teams employ fitness coaches and nutritionists, since sleep, posture and exercise affect performance.

Esports in schools and colleges

Esports has grown rapidly in American education. High school esports leagues let students compete for their schools in games such as Rocket League and Super Smash Bros., and many colleges have built dedicated esports arenas. Varsity programs recruit players, offer scholarships and compete in collegiate leagues. Supporters say esports builds teamwork, communication and interest in technology careers.

Is esports a real sport?

The debate continues. Esports lacks the physical exertion of traditional sports, but it shares their structure: professional players, coaches, training schedules, leagues, sponsorships and huge audiences. Top players need fast reactions, precise hand-eye coordination and deep strategic thinking. Many colleges now offer esports scholarships, and high school esports leagues are common across the US. For traditional competition, see our list of competitive sports examples, and for other fast-growing activities, new popular sports.