Tournaments have been around forever and are always exciting. Whether it be the World Cup or the World Golf Championship (which I wouldn't describe as exciting but definitely something?) they always deliver on the hype and Esports isn't exempt from that.
Just an example of how large a tournament can get. All members of the Horde.
These are what entire livelihoods are based on. These are what a year-long regional league can build up to. These are what have people waiting for hours listening to Silver Scrapes thanks to some random tech difficulty. Tournaments are what Esports was built on and, as time has gone on, certain tournaments have garnered a certain prestige to them. This, in turn, gets more people to tune in which means a larger prize pot and a confirmation that the tournament will return next year. This, obviously, raises the prestige even more which leads to certain tournaments being legendary within their scenes. Let’s look at what some of these tournaments are and what makes them so well-renowned.
15. Super Smash Con
Smash 64 Combo Contest - Super Smash Con 2019
Super Smash Con was started in 2015 and has grown into the largest celebration of everything Smash over its 5-year run. Whether it’s the Smash 64 Combo Contest, the Smash Masters tournament that takes high-level Smash players from all games and pits them against each other in every game, the annual Smashies awards ceremony, or the pure high-level gameplay that people often get out of it. Smash Con is a tournament I would suggest for anyone who is new to Smash and wants to tune in to a tournament.
Stats(2019):
Total attendance: 3,492
Peak Viewership: 82,148
2019 prize pool: $62,140
14. IEM Sydney
And it is here that we arrive at the first ESL event on this list. IEM Sydney has come out of nowhere these past three years with one of, if not the best, crowds in Counter-Strike. Hilarious show matches, entire crowds flipping off a team, and great gameplay to boot are what make this event particularly memorable every time it shows up.
Stats(2019)
Teams Attending: 16
Peak Viewership: 271,671
2019 prize pool: $250,000
13. The Big House
The Big House 9 - Recap
This tournament is the one that is, in many ways, a conclusion to the year of Smash. It is often the last supermajor of the year and has the most hype built up around it due to the results leading up to it. The tournament has been around since 2011 and has been the site of some of the most intense top 8s Melee has ever seen. This is, in part, due to its location in the midwest making it easy for players from both coasts to make it while also allowing midwest talent to shine. Overall it is one of the most tightly run and hype tournaments someone can go to and a must-attend for any serious player if they are able.
Stats(2019)
Attendance: 1,787
Peak Viewers: 71,855
2019 Prize Pool: $28,070
12. Tekken World Tour Finals
Jeondding (Eddy/Reina) vs. Double (Law/Shaheen) TWT 2024 - The MIXUP 2024: Grand Finals
I believe Tekken 7 is an absolutely beautiful game to watch and this is where the best players gather. This, consequently, leads to some good ass Tekken. The tournament has been home to some great stories the last few years in particular with Rangchu’s miracle run with Panda and Qudan’s rise at the 2017 world finals. This is a tournament for those who want to just sit back and watch one of the most visually stimulating games played at the highest level.
Stats(2019)
Invited Players: 20
Peak Viewers: 43,212
2019 Prize Pool: $250,000
11. Six Invitational
Six Invitational 2020 - Aftermovie
This would be the first “TI-Esque” tourney I am putting on this list and by that I mean a large tournament that has teams invited through smaller tournaments and qualifiers to duke it out for a large prize pool as a culmination of the year. There is a reason this is a popular format and that reason is the storylines that craft themselves with how much is at stake. It makes the content very easy to create. ESL and Ubisoft, however, refused to get lazy and created content that makes it very clear how important this is to the players. The gameplay is great, the stories are amazing, and the atmosphere can be electric at times. These all come together to create a great tournament that can help people get into the scene.
Stats(2020)
Invited Teams: 16
Peak Viewership: 303,155
2020 Prize Pool: 3,000,000
10. Capcom Cup
Uma (Juri) vs. Chris Wong (Luke) - Grand Final - Capcom Cup X
Fighting game players play knowing full well they are not getting paid anything big for it. A lot of it is, despite how idiotic it can sound, for our Saiyan pride. But, when a tournament does come around with life-changing money on the line, it creates the potential for people to make a difference. This is what Capcom Cup is to so many players: a chance. Whether that chance is to finally be recognized after a year of middling performances, a chance to finally get something financially out of playing this game for years, or a chance just to stand on a stage like that, something that doesn’t happen often in the FGC. These last three years have been perfect examples of this whether it was MenaRD putting his winnings towards the esports scene in the Dominican Republic or Sponsorless iDom winning it all and, possibly more importantly, against his local nemesis Punk who had stopped him at so many turns. It is a tournament where dreams can finally become reality and it is always an absolute blast to watch.
Stats(2019)
Players Invited: 32
Peak Viewership: 141,688
2019 Prize Pool: $379,500
9. Mid Season Invitational
2019 Mid-Season Invitational Moments & Memories
League nowadays has fewer international tournaments. This can create a problem where teams aren’t given enough chances internationally and they fall off (sorry Liquid) The tournaments that do happen, however, are hyped up year-round and deliver almost every time. What is important to note about the Mid Season Invitational is how much of a precedent it sets for Worlds later on in the year. Since there is a lack of international competition it is the first example of what each region can do and can be a wake-up slap to teams that underperform there. The content is always solid and the fact that there is a play-in stage helps so much by providing a chance for minor regions to shine. Overall the Mid Season Invitational is a great tournament that gives everyone their first taste of the top teams in the world duking it out.
Stats(2019)
Teams Invited: 13
Peak Viewership: 1,704,326
2019 Prize Pool: $1,000,000
8. ESL One Cologne
ESL One Cologne 2019 Official Aftermovie
It’s called the church of Counter-Strike for a reason. ESL One Cologne is a tourney that every big team will attend no matter what. It is, to most fans, a mini-major and the gameplay delivers every time. The gameplay is possibly the highest of the year as it takes place as teams have been fully formed and are gearing up for the next major without the same pressures that come from a major. There is no threat of a player being kicked over the results, just an energy that is unmatched. This is what Cologne is for Counter-Strike, a place for people to take a pilgrimage and remember the soul of the esport they love.
Stats(2019)
Teams Invited: 16
Peak Viewership: 506,322
2019 Prize Pool: $300,000
7. Genesis
Genesis 7 - Recap
Genesis, as the name suggests, was the site of one of the greatest rivalries in esports. It was the place where Armada, a young player from Sweden, tore through the bracket and in winners finals met Mang0, the best player in America by a wide margin. The fact that he beat him created even more suspense as Mang0 was forced to now win two sets to defend the US against this foreigner who came out of nowhere. He managed to clutch it out in one of the most insane sets people had seen at that point and then won set 2 to be the first Genesis champion in 2011. They then met again at Genesis 2 and had what people at that point considered one of the best sets of all time with Armada coming out on top this time. This rivalry only grew from here on out and defined an entire year as they traded tournaments in 2014 before they met, once again, in 2016 at Genesis 3 thanks to an amazing losers bracket run by Mang0 and had, you guessed it, a set that many considered the best set of that year. And while Armada has retired now the tournament series has continued to deliver with examples such as Plup’s legendary run in 2018
or Zain’s insane sets against Hungrybox this year to win Genesis 7. It is the start of the new year of Smash and kicks it off right every time.
Stats(2020)
Attendance: 2,639 players
Peak Viewership: 102 924
2020 Prize Pool: $45,328
6. Summit Events
Smash Summit 9 - Recap
Beyond the Summit creates the best content in esports. I don’t feel like this is a crazy statement and don’t feel like I need to explain why but I will anyway. It can be funny, it can be hype, it can be complete nonsense or something truly heartfelt. Summit is where this is pushed as far as it can go with players staying in a studio for 5 days straight creating content and playing in numerous side events that can’t help but make people laugh out loud. On top of this is the fact that the people brought are just really freaking good players and the level of gameplay is always high. This creates a mood that can’t be felt anywhere else in esports where you know everyone is there for good gameplay but also there to have a good time and hang out. It is a magical atmosphere that is indicative of how much trust BTS has built with players and how much fun the players and community get out of the weekends.
Stats (Smash Summit 9)
Players Invited: 18
Peak Viewership: 64,561
Summit 9 Prize pool: $68,251.56
5. Evolution Championship Series
Best of EVO 2019
Evolution, or Evo, is the mecca of fighting games. Anyone who plays fighting games competitively knows about Evo and what it stands for. The tournament that started out as Battle By the Bay in 1996 has grown into the must-watch fighting game event of the year. Every media outlet is focused on it and every player is tuning in on championship Sunday. There isn’t much content produced but the content is purely the games being showcased. This is a chance for some underrepresented games to be given the spotlight and really shine in it. A great example would be Samurai Showdown which had a first year that really showcased what the game could be capable of. I would argue that the best part about it, however, is the pure love of fighting games that permeates the entire tournament. It doesn’t matter what game you tune in to. There will often be players entering in multiple games and fans popping off for every single one. It has kept the soul of the FGC strong for years and is, without a doubt, the longest standing tournament on this list. Evo is the ideal tournament in that it captures the essence of its players and fans and turns it into an event celebrating that.
Stats(2019)
Attendance: 9230 people
Peak Viewership: 279,000
2019 Prize Pool: $254,289.40
4. IEM Katowice
IEM Katowice 2018 Aftermovie - Where it all began | Official CS:GO Frag Movie
This tournament has been so many different things. But what it will always be is a tournament that isn’t forgotten. The tournament held in the Spodek Arena has been a major multiple times and at other times has been the tournament to kick off the year where people can showcase their new rosters. This has been said about every CS:GO event on this list but it must be stated again how amazing the crowds can get at events like this. It makes it so every moment is only amplified as the crowd erupts and makes you feel like this is what Esports should be. Katowice has been around since 2016 and one can hope that it stays around for much longer.
Stats (2020)
Teams Invited: 16
Peak Viewership: 1,002,132
2020 Prize Pool: $500,000
3. CS:GO Majors
Thank you, Krakow
The Majors are the most important events for any CS:GO player. There are numerous ways to qualify for them, and there is a chance there to have your name remembered forever. There is not a single major winner who has been forgotten in this game’s lifetime and there will likely never be a major winner who is forgotten. The Majors are what teams build eras off of, what teams shuffle around for, and the measuring stick for any team. If you can’t perform at majors, you are labeled a choker for as long as you live. If you make a godlike play at a major, a graffiti of your play can be put up by Valve themselves. If you manage to win a major against all odds, you will be immortalized as one of the biggest underdogs in the history of Counter-Strike. This is everything that is at stake at these tournaments and everyone knows it. It makes every elimination match featuring a tournament favorite that extra bit more terrifying, every close round in the bracket stage more tense, and every celebration after pulling it off that much more passionate. The majors are what every CS:GO player strives for and it shows in the certain tense energy that occurs from it. It is truly a magical thing to witness.
Stats(Starladder 2019)
Teams Invited: 24
Peak Viewership: 836 716
Starladder 2019 Prize Pool: $1,000,000
2. League of Legends World Championship
2019 World Championship Moments & Memories
Worlds is what put esports on the map. I truly don’t think that we would have entered into this new era of esports that we are currently in without the 2013 World Championship. It can be debated whether this new era is great with how mainstream esports is now or a horrible mistake that stole the grassroots experience but it cannot be debated what brought about this shift and it was largely the coverage around the final of a tournament being at the Staples Center of all places. From there the tournament has gone on to even more unimaginable places such as the Bird’s Nest in Beijing and the Seoul World Cup Stadium. It has consistently had amazing content that sets storylines up really well and makes each match feel important. There have been so many amazing stories from minor region underdogs making huge upsets to unexpected powerhouses making a run all the way to a championship. What the main draw is, however, is the pure amount of effort and passion you see at every turn. It is such a monumental tournament and every team that is able to gears up in the hopes of being prepared for this tournament. It is also a dose of international competition that, as I said earlier, League fans are starved for. This tournament brings in so many people who rarely even watch League that it could be likened to the World Cup in some ways. Many people who never watch soccer otherwise tune in and pick a team to root for. The same principle can be applied here. It is a tournament for any esport fan and for anyone who wants to ever check in on what the current state of esports is. It is, in many ways, what esports is all about.
Stats(2019)
Teams Invited: 24
Peak Viewership: 3,985,787
2019 Prize Pool: $ 2,225,000
1. The International
Memories of The International 2019 | joinDOTA Aftermovie
The International is, without a doubt, the greatest esports tournament of all time. The gameplay is consistently the best of the year due to it being the lifeblood of the scene and what every team in the world is aiming for. The format is amazing with a lower bracket that adds immense pressure and can lead to beautiful storylines forming with losers runs being a common thing. The content is always amazing both during and after the tournament is over as we are given a look inside the minds and lives of the player who we are watching. We get to see how much this means to them and we completely understand how much it means to them. The prize pools are life-changing and the title of champion is irrevocable. The raw emotion you can see on players during both victories and defeats makes it feel almost like theatre. The tournament just has so much buildup and lasts for so long that storylines build on themselves throughout a tournament and can be erased in the blink of an eye by a wildcard Philippino team down in the losers’ bracket causing mayhem. The result is a feeling that these player’s lives won’t be the same after this tournament, regardless of the result. You know that the moment they are out, their chance at glory has vanished. People rarely remember the teams that got 9th place at the International and, unfortunately for many teams, people rarely remember who got 2nd. What matters is who rises up after a year of team building, planning, grinding, and devoting their lives to this one game. It is a celebration of competition itself and is something that everyone can tune in on. Hell, a lot of people who decide to just “tune in” catch the Dota bug and start playing themselves. It is a tournament that isn’t magical like some previous entries but is instead almost ruthless in how it chews and spits out teams while promising the grandest of rewards to whoever triumphs over the others. And yet, we tune in each year, seeing who the next legends of esports will be.
Stats(2019)
Teams Invited: 18
Peak Viewership: 1,968,497
2019 Prize Pool: $34,330,068
