The ‘Magnificent 8’: The Most Popular Esports in the World

If you are ready to get serious about playing video games, you are probably wondering what the most popular eSports in the world are. The global eSports market, looking to the period by the end of 2021, is expected to surpass all previous years. Namely, it is predicted that interest in the same will increase by 14 % compared to last year. Moreover, the number of audiences watching eSports is expected to rise to over 728.8 million worldwide.

With so much potential that eSports has, it makes sense to focus your time and energy on a game that can give you a lot in terms of money and popularity. Having already mentioned the popularity, the best eSports in the world, according to this criterion, are made up of different genres and games, but – which of them is closest to the hearts of players and spectators?

Titles That Deserve Your Attention

The coronavirus pandemic, as well as the quarantine that hit the whole world, did and did not affect eSports. It depends from which angle this is viewed. On the one hand, many tournaments have been canceled or switched to online events. For example, in some games like Dota 2, the cancellation of international championships led to some teams being disolved.

On the other hand, people had more time to dedicate to playing their favorite video games, so many titles in eSports attracted even more viewers. Find out below which are the most popular eSports in the world according to the number of professionally active players.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO)

CS: GO is heavily built around a plethora of international tournaments and events. Despite the problems caused by the pandemic, the audience is still actively following the CS: GO tournaments. For example, last year, a new record was set in the number of simultaneous spectators in smaller tournaments. A whopping million people watched G2 Esports vs. Natus Vincere in the IEM Katowice 2020 final. Almost 25 % more hours were spent watching and playing this game. All top championships were still held. Although they were in the online format, the interest did not decrease.

The Counter-Strike scene seems to have adapted better to the current situation as the largest American eSports organizations moved to Europe, where the biggest tournaments took place. CS: GO coped well with the conditions of the pandemic and managed to continue to grow through streaming. In the end, CS: GO Majors is considered the Crème de la crème of tournaments in the CS:GO world. Consisting of two dozen teams from around the world vying for the coverted prize fund of one million dollars. So if you like this type of game, then you cannot and must not ignore this one.

League of Legends (LoL)

When we talk about the most popular eSports in the world, we cannot leave out the League of Legends. This video game is over 10 years old, but its popularity is still immense.

In this team game, you and your teammates are trying to destroy enemy bases. Since its release, it has driven many fans crazy – in a positive way – and after the popularization of eSports, it has become one of the most chosen and most played.

There are various League of Legends tournaments that take place throughout the year, but the big daddy is the LoL World Championship. Here, teams compete for a snazzy trophy and a prize pool of over one million dollars.

Fortnite

Want a video game where survival is the only way to reaching the goal? Fortnite is then the right choice for you. This shooter, which was created by Epic Games, has three different game modes, and the most popular is the battle.

At the beginning of the battle, you will be introduced to the “Battle Bus” and thrown into the air via a spacious map of games with another 100 players. After landing, the goal is to find whatever you can get your hands on: Weapons, items, resources, and even vehicles so that you have the best chance to take out your opponents. Unlike many other conventional games of this type, Fortnite gives its players a chance to quickly build defenses and structures around them. This helps protect you from other players during the fight.

The long-awaited Fortnite World Cup is the biggest event in the community. The competition generates a prize fund of up to $ 30 million, which shows the importance but also the popularity of this game. At the end of each season, Fortnite is regularly updated along with maps. That is why we are not surprised that it is on the list of the most popular eSports in the world.

Dota 2

The video game Dota 2 was first released by Valve in 2013 and since then it has not ceased to delight both viewers and the gaming community. Professionals and amateurs play it with the same fire in their eyes because strategies do not stop enticing all fans of a good fight.

The standard Dota game consists of two opposing teams with five participants each. The basic premise is simple, take out the opposing team’s fortress and protect your own. Each selected character in the team has its own unique abilities and can be managed by other players. At the beginning of the match, the goal of the teams is to earn gold by fighting opponents, which in turn makes their characters stronger. When one team destroys the opponent’s fortress, the game is finally over.

Dota 2 is known for the annual tournament – The International. Considered a major event in the eSports circuit, the competition is savage and comes complete with an outrageous prize pool of over $ 30 million. Did we say we are writing about the most popular eSports in the world? Well, Dota 2 is one of them.

Apex Legends

Apex Legends is a fighting game that was released in February 2019. It is based on the Titanfall series and unites legendary characters with powerful abilities in the fight for fame and fortune. The game consists of 23 teams whose goal is to collect resources and weapons, all with the intention of defeating other teams in battle.

Apex Legends has gathered a lot of fans in quick time. The game has been played by an incredible 50 million players in the first month since its release, and it is estimated that there are 8-10 million players every week. The Global Series competition is one of the latest additions to the scene. Currently, there are a dozen live events with a total prize pool of three million dollars. Players wishing to qualify must earn their place through a series of online tournaments. If a player has got what it takes, they might find themselves in one of the Premier or Major events.

With a large number of events as well as a large prize fund, this is one of the most played eSports games that are yet to flourish.

Overwatch

Overwatch is a team shooter released by Blizzard Entertainment in early 2016. It is extremely popular among players of all ages who love to dive into FPS action.

In matches, one team of unique heroes fights against another. There are currently 30 characters to choose from, according to your affinities and goal. The most important thing in the game is to keep control over the key points on the map.

The Overwatch League is the most prestigious tournament for those who want to participate in the eSports competition, which had a five million dollar prize pool pre-pandemic. The list of “The Most Popular Esports in the World” would definitely not be complete without the video game Overwatch.

Arena of Valor

Arena of Valor is a MOBA game designed for mobile phones. Tencent Games published it in 2018, and since then, interest in it has not declined.

Similar to other titles in the genre, this video game consists of two opposing teams. If they want to win, they must destroy the bases on both sides of the map. However, this is not as easy as it sounds. In order to win, the players must first destroy all the enemy’s defensive towers, as well as defeat any neutral monster that comes their way.

Arena of Valor has over 200 million players as well as its own World Cup competitions. It is also one of the most popular eSports games played on mobile devices.

Super Smash Bros: Ultimate

The most popular eSports in the world also have the video game Super Smash Bros: Ultimate, the latest edition of the established cross-fighting franchise, under their auspices. Nintendo first released it in 2018 and it is currently one of the best fighting games in the world.

More than 70 different characters, complete control over them, more than 100 classic and return stages… When you look at it all, this is one more than a satisfactory package that one video game can offer. Super Smash Bros is played as a competitive video game that has become extremely popular on the eSports scene.

Although Nintendo does not sponsor its own competitions, the organizers regularly present the game at their main tournament events every year. The game is also played intensively in online tournaments.

Conclusion

The history of betting on eSports, as well as the most popular sports in the world themselves, has shown us that this industry is one of the fastest-growing. Numerous eSports teams compete against each other in regional and international competitions of major eSports games for millions of dollars in cash prizes, while betting on matches, especially at casinos who offer the latest payment methods, such as casinos that accept MuchBetter, is incredibly popular. 

Professional players seem to be on the cusp of overcoming the greatest football legends, the world’s best tennis players, and the richest athletes in general because their earnings are incredible.