Few events in the dynamic arena of competitive gaming have achieved legendary status, captivating spectators and establishing standards for esports excellence. These events are cultural phenomena, drawing millions of fans, jaw-dropping prize pools, and enough drama to rival a Netflix series.
And let’s not forget, for the adrenaline junkies, playinexchange now offers the chance to spice up the action with a few bets. Because what’s a championship without a little extra on the line, right?
Whether it’s the nail-biting matches at The International or the elaborate spectacle of League of Legends Worlds, these tournaments are as much about the show as the competition.
The International
Since its inception in 2011, The International has become the holy grail of Dota 2 tournaments, drawing the best teams and the most overenthusiastic fans from around the globe. Organized by Valve Corporation, this annual spectacle is legendary for its jaw-dropping prize pools, crowdfunded through in-game purchases.
The 2024 edition, held from September 4 to September 15 in Copenhagen, Denmark, featured a prize pool of $2,602,164—which, by Dota standards, feels like someone forgot to top up the crowdfund. With 16 top-tier teams battling it out, it was Team Liquid who claimed the championship, proving yet again they’re not just good—they’re scary good.
| Aspect | Details |
| Dates | September 4 – September 15, 2024 |
| Location | Royal Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Total Prize Pool | $2,602,164 |
| Champion | Team Liquid |
| Runner-Up | Gaimin Gladiators |
| Participating Teams | 16 teams, including Team Spirit, Xtreme Gaming, Team Falcons, Team Liquid, Gaimin Gladiators, BetBoom Team, Cloud9, Tundra Esports, 1w Team, Team Zero, HEROIC, Talon Esports, Nouns, Aurora, Beastcoast, and G2 x iG. |
During the 2024 tournament, the Battle Pass sales alone could have paid off the national debt of a small country (okay, maybe a very small country).
To put it into perspective, over 10 million units were sold globally, and one particularly dedicated fan allegedly bought $20,000 worth of in-game cosmetics just to flex in matchmaking. The takeaway? Dota 2 fans don’t just play hard—they spend harder.
League of Legends World Championship
The League of Legends World Championship, or Worlds, is the ultimate showdown in competitive gaming—a time when the best players on the planet gather to click on minions and yell at each other in voice chat for glory.
Since 2011, Riot Games has turned this annual event into a global spectacle, complete with over-the-top opening ceremonies that rival the Olympics (but with dragons and more neon). Worlds isn’t just about gameplay; it’s about proving to millions of fans why you’re the best at a game where “last hitting” is both an art and a science.
| Aspect | Details |
| Dates | September 25 – November 2, 2024 |
| Host Cities | Berlin (Play-Ins and Swiss Stage), Paris (Quarterfinals and Semifinals), London (Finals) |
| Total Prize Pool | $2,225,000 USD |
| Champion | T1 |
| Runner-Up | Bilibili Gaming |
| MVP | Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok (T1) |
| Participating Teams | 20 teams, including LCK’s T1, LPL’s JD Gaming, and LCS’s perennial disappointments |
The 2025 World Championship will move to China, with the Grand Finals slated for Chengdu—because Riot knows how to milk a market with millions of eager fans.
Exact dates haven’t been announced yet, but if you’re planning to watch, block out September through November on your calendar. Expect dragons, epic plays, and at least one team making a “miracle run” only to crash and burn in the semis.
If you’re dreaming of a shot at the Summoner’s Cup, start winning your regional league—and by winning, we mean not choking during the Spring Split. Regions like Korea (LCK), China (LPL), and Europe (LEC) dominate the scene, with North America (LCS) valiantly holding onto the role of best regional memes.
Perform well at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), and your region might get an extra Worlds slot—or just lose spectacularly and make everyone else look better.
CS:GO Major Championships
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major Championships, affectionately known as Majors, are the pinnacle of competitive CS:GO—where the best players in the world gather to decide who can click heads the fastest under pressure.
Sanctioned by Valve, these tournaments occur twice a year, bringing together top-tier teams, substantial prize pools, and enough drama to rival a reality TV show. The Majors are where legendary rivalries are forged, careers are made, and Twitter beefs escalate into full-blown fan wars.
This year’s Majors did not disappoint, delivering nail-biting matches and iconic moments.
| Aspect | Details |
| Event 1 | PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 |
| Dates | March 17 – March 31, 2024 |
| Champion | Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) |
| MVP | Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev |
| Runner-Up | FaZe Clan |
| Prize Pool | $1,250,000 |
| Event 2 | Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 |
| Dates | Late 2024 |
| Details | Upcoming showdown in Shanghai, China, promising more tactical brilliance and maybe a few rage quits. |
In Copenhagen, Na’Vi reasserted their dominance, pocketing $500,000 in prize money while proving they’re still the gods of Counter-Strike. Meanwhile, FaZe Clan took second, which, in esports terms, is like getting a participation trophy but shinier.
The PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 prize pool hit $1.25 million, which is impressive until you realize the top team takes home $500,000 while the bottom-tier teams get just enough to cover their travel expenses. Here’s the breakdown:
- 1st Place: $500,000 (Na’Vi)
- 2nd Place: $170,000 (FaZe Clan)
- 3rd-4th Places: $80,000 each (Better luck next time.)
- 5th-8th Places: $45,000 each (Hope you didn’t spend it all on skins.)
If you’re watching from home, why not make it spicy? playinexchange let fans bet on everything from match winners to whether s1mple will pull off a no-scope clutch. Just remember: betting adds excitement to the game, but if you lose your rent money, don’t blame Valve.
Fortnite World Cup
Epic Games’ Fortnite World Cup exploded onto the esports scene in 2019 with a $30 million prize pool, proving that building walls and dancing mid-battle could actually make you rich. While the event hasn’t seen a sequel yet, the buzz around the rumored 2025 Fortnite World Cup is already heating up.
What We Know About the 2025 Fortnite World Cup:
- Event Details: Slated for July 2025, rumored to return to Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
- Prize Pool: Expected to surpass $40 million because why not?
- Skills Needed: Insane building speed, sniper accuracy, and the ability to floss without breaking concentration.
- Qualifiers: Open qualifiers starting in early 2025, accessible to anyone who thinks they’re cracked enough.
Whether you’re aiming to qualify or just tuning in for the chaos, the 2025 Fortnite World Cup promises to be another rollercoaster of skill, drama, and way too many emotes. And hey, if you’re not playing, there’s always playinexchange to make things interesting—you know, because gambling on a 1v1 build fight is peak entertainment these days.
Conclusion
These tournaments exemplify the wild, wonderful world of esports—a place where clicking faster than your opponent can turn you into a millionaire overnight.
They don’t just give players a chance to flex their skills; they also spark communities, memes, and rivalries that fuel endless Reddit threads. As esports evolves, these events will stay at the forefront, setting standards, breaking records, and inspiring the next generation of gamers to shout GG EZ louder than ever.