Most Popular Esports Games in 2025

The esports landscape in 2025 is dominated by a mix of long-established and emerging titles. Rankings combine metrics like total prize pools, peak viewership, active pro leagues, and general popularity. Leading the field are major MOBAs and shooters with multi-million-dollar events and global fanbases. The figures below (from Esports Charts and Liquipedia) show, for example, League of Legends (LoL) with an $8.94M season prize pool and a 3.45M peak audience, and Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) with $20.59M in prizes and 1.79M peak viewers.

1. League of Legends (MOBA)

Riot Games’ League of Legends remains the premier PC MOBA. It consistently draws record audiences – Worlds 2025 finals, held in China, have a $5.0M prize pool – and regional leagues (LCS, LEC, LCK, etc.) feed into its global championship. In 2025 LoL events have already amassed ~$8.94M in prizes. The 2024 World Championship set a massive viewership benchmark (6.86M peak), and in 2025 peak viewership was ~3.45M during a Chinese event. The strong pro scene and frequent updates keep LoL popular worldwide.

2. Counter-Strike 2 (FPS Shooter)

The successor to CS:GO, Counter-Strike 2 leads in total esports prize money (over $20.59M in 2025 so far). Major tournaments like PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 ($1.25M prize) and IEM Katowice 2025 ($1.0M prize) anchor its calendar. It remains a tactical shooter staple with decades-old popularity. CS2 events regularly draw high Twitch peaks (up to ~1.79M viewers) and award the largest single-event payouts outside Dota. Its streamlined competitive scene (with Majors and ESL/BLAST circuits) and new features in 2023–25 have kept fans engaged and prize pools growing.

3. Dota 2 (MOBA)

Valve’s Dota 2 is known for huge international events. The 2025 season’s prize pool is ~$16.77M across tournaments. Dota’s signature event, The International, historically had record pools, though the 2025 TI base was $2.88M (reflecting a new funding model). Still, the game draws a core audience – TI 2025 hit ~1.78M peak viewers – and dozens of Majors and minors occur yearly. Dota’s complex gameplay and global franchise (backed by Valve) ensure its continued prominence, even as its prize model evolves.

4. VALORANT (FPS Shooter)

Riot’s Valorant is a fast-growing tactical shooter with a structured global league (Valorant Champions Tour). Total VCT prize money exceeds $24.1M. The culminating Valorant Champions 2025 event in Paris carries a $2.25M prize. Valorant tours multiple regions (Masters and International stages) each year, drawing strong viewership (peak ~1.32M in 2025). Its popularity comes from consistent tournament production and Riot’s strong support. For example, top-tier teams (like Paper Rex, G2, Fnatic) compete across EMEA, Americas, and Asia, and mixed-gender rosters (shown below) highlight its inclusive scene.

Professional Valorant players often compete in major international events. (Image: a pro female gamer at a tournament.)

Valorant’s global Champions event (Oct 2025) features 16 teams and Riot’s top talent. Smaller Masters events (e.g. Masters Bangkok, Toronto) also carry six-figure prizes. Overall, the Valorant circuit has distributed over $24M in 2025 and is known for high production values and a dedicated fanbase.

5. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (Mobile MOBA)

In 2025 MLBB (Moonton’s mobile MOBA) exploded in popularity, especially in Southeast Asia. It topped 2025 viewership charts with a ~4.13M peak at the M6 World Championship. MLBB’s pro scene spans multiple national pro leagues (MPL Indonesia, MPL PH, etc.) and culminates in the yearly M-World Championship. For context, the upcoming M7 World Championship (Jan 2026) will have 16 teams vying for a ~$1M prize pool. Combined with MPL and regional events, 2025 prize pools have reached ~$5.25M. Its popularity is fueled by mobile accessibility and huge Southeast Asian audiences; for example, an Indonesia qualifier drew 1M concurrent viewers. Mobile Legends stands out as the top mobile esports title by viewership.

6. PUBG Mobile (Mobile Battle Royale)

PUBG Mobile remains a powerhouse in mobile esports. Multiple regional leagues (e.g. PMPL) and world events contribute to a large prize pool (~$6.31M in 2025 so far). Its premier event, the PUBG Mobile Global Championship, often offers multi-million prizes. Viewer interest is high in Asia and Latin America, with peak viewership reaching ~1.39M. The game’s fast-paced battle-royale format and adaptations (like Battlegrounds Mobile India) keep it in the top ranks. For instance, the Asia Pacific region and China alone generate much of this activity, reflecting PUBG Mobile’s broad international reach.

7. Fortnite (Battle Royale)

Epic’s Fortnite has a huge player base and remains influential in esports. Its 2025 prize pools total about $10.38M. A marquee example is the Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS) – the 2025 Global Championship had a $2,001,000 prize. Fortnite events often span PC and consoles, underlining its cross-platform nature (controllers are a common sight). It draws strong online engagement, though its viewership (peak ~0.95M) is currently below the MOBA giants. Epic continues to innovate with new seasons and formats; the announced Fortnite World Cup 2025 (with a reported $20M prize pool) illustrates its ongoing commitment to competitive play.

Popular gaming titles like Fortnite are played across consoles and PC, here illustrated by game controllers.

8. Honor of Kings (Mobile MOBA)

Huawei/Tencent’s Honor of Kings (Arena of Valor in some markets) dominates Chinese mobile esports. Its 2025 Kings’ Cup World Cup in Saudi Arabia offered a $3.0M prize, and many regional events (like KPL) add to its scene. In Esports Charts, Honor of Kings has ~$6.45M in prizes and a peak view of ~0.65M. The game’s annual World Cup (KWC) is on par with MLBB globally, though mostly confined to Asia. Its blend of casual mobile access and deep strategy ensures strong popularity: China’s esports audience for Honor of Kings rivals that of PC titles.

9. Other Notable Games

Several other titles maintain active pro scenes in 2025. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II / Warzone (FPS) and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege (tactical shooter) each have franchised leagues and mixed results – for instance, R6S has ~$6.69M in 2025 prizes. Rocket League (vehicular soccer) still awards large purses (~$6.55M) and has a dedicated fanbase. Overwatch 2 (team shooter) continues with an Overwatch League, though viewership is much lower (~177k peak). Apex Legends and Free Fire also run tournaments, especially in Asia and Latin America, contributing to the mobile esports boom. In summary, while LoL, CS2, Dota 2, Valorant, and top mobile titles lead by all measures, a range of FPS, fighting, and shooter games round out the 2025 esports ecosystem with their own leagues and fan followings.