As the competitive gaming year approaches its final months, we’ve still got the highest stakes in many esports to play for.
Titles across multiple genres will crown champions and create moments that fans will remember long after the trophy lifts. Here’s a closer look at the end-of-year tournaments worth circling on the calendar.
The current esports scene
It is worth exploring the current esports scene and its growth before looking into the specific tournaments.
Huge games and popular esports continue to attract massive crowds to tournaments. There is even a big gambling industry that has been created around esports. People watch these sports in a similar way to traditional sports, and this means a lot of markets around both teams and individuals.
Fans in different areas may be able to bet on the outcomes if they wish, but are recommended to check their state betting regulations before signing up for an account.
Lots of different forms of games are good for esports. They tend to be fast-moving games and those that lend themselves to teams or individuals directly competing (don’t expect sims esports any time soon). Things like racing games and sports sims work, but so do battles royale and FPS games.
Let’s get into some of the upcoming events:
Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) Global Championship – Lyon, September
September kicks off with one of Fortnite’s grandest moments, the FNCS Global Championship. This year’s edition brings together the top squads from all competitive regions after months of qualifiers and seasonal events.
The prize pool sits at a staggering $8 million, attracting not just regular pros but also breakout stars looking to cement their place among the elite. Expect the battle royale’s trademark speed and split-second decision-making on the biggest stage possible.
The atmosphere is part gaming festival and part sports event. It has global streaming coverage, so fans from every corner of the world can follow the action.
League of Legends World Championship – October
October belongs to League of Legends. The World Championship (better known as Worlds) is a month-long festival of competitive LoL that moves from group stages to knockout rounds, culminating in a grand finale that often fills a major stadium.
A $5 million prize pool is on the line as the players head to China. But for many players, the legacy of winning the Worlds outweighs everything else. Each match showcases the depth of strategy and team synergy that has kept LoL at the top of esports for over a decade.
Expect stories of underdogs upsetting favorites, and teams trying to maintain dominance. You’ll also see crowd reactions that match any other esports. This is the 15th time this tournament has taken place. T1 won it last year and Faker was named the MVP.
The Worlds are an institution as far as esports go. Expect millions of people to be keeping up to date with the World.
Dota 2: BLAST Slam IV – Singapore, November
Early November sees Dota 2 descend on Singapore for BLAST Slam IV. This invitational pulls together some of the sharpest minds and fastest hands in the game. While not on the scale of The International in terms of prize money, the prestige is undeniable. There’s still a million dollars to potentially win!
The Singapore setting brings a different cultural flavor to the event. A lot of areas of Asia are huge for esports and the crowd energy tends to be electric, especially when Southeast Asian teams take the stage.
Singapore Indoor Stadium will be the host. The play-in rounds actually start before November, on October 28.
Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) Championship – early December
Early December belongs to Apex Legends and its ALGS Championship. The top trios from around the world converge for a high-tempo battle royale that rewards sharp shooting, creative positioning and smooth movement.
The meta evolves quickly, meaning teams often debut new strategies on the grand stage. The $2 million prize pool draws elite competition.
It’s the pace and unpredictability of Apex that make the championship weekend unmissable for a lot of gaming fans.
Counter-Strike 2: StarLadder Budapest Major – November 24-December 14
From late November into mid-December, Counter-Strike 2 commands the spotlight with the StarLadder Budapest Major. This is a huge CS2 event featuring the world’s best in a multi-week battle for Major glory. Group stages test consistency and the grand final tests … well, everything.
With tactical plays and nail-biting defuse moments, the Major always delivers. Fans often travel across continents for a chance to witness it live, while millions more watch from home. The 20,000-seat MVM Dome will be the venue for this. I really wish I had tickets for this one!
Conclusion
Get your calendars updated! These tournaments are great for esports fans but also show just how broad the esports spectrum has become. They cap months of regional qualifiers and buildup. For fans, they’re the definitive storylines of the year.
