As the curtain falls on the 2024 esports calendar, Valve’s Dota 2 continues to hold its position as the leader in total prize pools. Despite a dip in winnings, the game remains at the forefront, reflecting its enduring popularity in competitive gaming.
Here’s a detailed look at the top esports titles of the year, how mobile games are reshaping the scene, and what the future holds for these games in 2025.
Dota 2 Maintains Its Lead Despite Declining Prize Pools
In 2024, Dota 2 topped the esports charts with a total prize pool exceeding $22 million, according to data from Esports Charts. This marks a 28% decrease from 2023, attributed to reduced prizes at major events like The International (TI) and Riyadh Masters.
However, this decline did not deter Dota 2 from securing the #1 spot for the fourth consecutive year. Over the past eight years, the game has awarded more than $330 million, outpacing its closest rival, Counter-Strike, which has distributed $155 million in the same period.
Interestingly, Counter-Strike came within striking distance in 2024, trailing by a mere $10,000. The game saw a 10.5% increase in its prize pool compared to the previous year, bolstered by over 700 tournaments, the highest among all games.
Mobile Games Continue to Rise
Mobile esports solidified their growing influence in 2024, with Honor of Kings and PUBG MOBILE claiming the third and fourth spots in total prize pools.
Honor of Kings
- Became the fifth game in esports history to surpass a $20 million prize pool, joining Dota 2, Counter-Strike, PUBG MOBILE, and Fortnite.
- Notable events included:
- Honor of Kings Invitational Midseason 2024 in Saudi Arabia, offering $3.05 million.
- Honor of Kings Championship 2024 in Indonesia, with a $1 million prize pool.
- King Pro League (KPL) Finals in China, featuring a staggering ¥70 million CNY (over $9.6 million).
PUBG MOBILE
- Amassed an impressive $100 million in prize pools despite a 26% decline from 2023.
- Hosted three major tournaments:
- PMGO in Brazil.
- PMWC in Saudi Arabia.
- PMGC in England.
Esports Rankings in 2024: Notable Changes
The 2024 rankings showcased significant shifts, highlighting an evolving esports landscape:
- Counter-Strike climbed to #2, overtaking PUBG MOBILE.
- Fortnite dropped to #5 due to reduced prize pools in major events like the FNCS Global Championship.
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang surged to #9, driven by its passionate community and high-profile events like the M6 World Championship in Malaysia.
- League of Legends regained its position over VALORANT, thanks to its $1 million prize pool at the Esports World Cup.
Top 10 Esports Games of 2024
- Dota 2
- Counter-Strike
- Honor of Kings
- PUBG MOBILE
- Fortnite
- Rainbow Six Siege
- League of Legends
- VALORANT
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- PUBG: Battlegrounds
What’s Next for Esports in 2025?
As 2024 concludes, the esports industry has shown remarkable adaptability and growth. Mobile games continue to rise, while legacy titles like Dota 2 and Counter-Strike maintain their dominance. Fans can look forward to even more thrilling competitions, higher stakes, and groundbreaking prize pools in the coming year.