Top Most Popular Esports Games for 2025

How many times have your parents thrown you out of the house to play physical games while you were engrossed in your favorite esports game? Probably many times! I used to face this on a daily basis too. If you’ve had similar experiences and if they’ve dismissed gaming as a waste of time, they might be out of touch with the incredible growth of esports. With massive audiences, prize pools, and career opportunities, esports are now as respected as traditional sports. In this blog, we’ll highlight the most popular esports games of 2025, helping you pursue your passion without the fear of disapproval.

League of Legends (LoL)

League of Legends, which is also called LoL, is one of the oldest and one of the most popular esports games. The game was developed by Riot Games and it is a 5vs5 Multiplayer Online Battle Arena game. The goal? Destroy the enemy’s Nexus (base) while defending your own. The game has been around since 2009 and keeps growing in popularity.

In 2024, LoL reached new heights:

World Championships 2024: 6.9 million peak viewers, 19 million hours watched.
Mid-Season Invitational 2024: 2.8 million peak viewers.

The League of Legends has 140 to 150 million monthly players, and it is the largest MOBA in the world and it is one of the most played competitive games. It combines strategy, teamwork, and fast-paced action to create exciting gameplay. The players choose from over 160 unique champions, each player with special abilities and roles. This variety makes every match different and interesting.

The prize pool for 2024’s World Championships was over $9 million, and it is expected to increase in 2025.

Dota 2

Dota 2 is another MOBA game developed by Valve Corporation. It’s considered the unofficial sequel to Warcraft III and has one of the most complex gaming systems out there. In Dota 2, players pick from over 100 heroes and work with their team to destroy the enemy’s Ancient (base).

2024 was a huge year for Dota 2:

The International 2024 (TI): $40 million prize pool, making it the most lucrative esports tournament ever.
Riyadh Masters 2024: 26.3 million hours watched.

The game is known for its high skill ceiling. It’s harder to learn than League of Legends but offers incredible depth for those who stick with it. Legendary game teams like Team Secret and OG are fan favorites. Regional leagues like the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) also provide year-round action for fans.

VALORANT

Valorant is also another game of Riot Games. It is a tactical shooter, blending precise gunplay with unique agent abilities. The game is often compared to Counter-Strike but it adds a fresh twist with its character-based gameplay. Teams of five compete to plant or defuse bombs while using their agents and also you can get special powers to gain an advantage.

Here’s why Valorant is thriving:

Valorant Champions 2024: 46.9 million hours watched, $10 million prize pool.
VCT Game Changers 2024: Highlighted diversity in esports with 460,000 peak viewers.

Valorant is among the pro video games and its success comes from Riot’s consistent support, which includes regular updates, new agents, and maps. The competitive scene of Valorent is expanding globally, with predictions of even bigger tournaments in 2025. Fast-paced gameplay and unpredictable outcomes make it a fan favorite.

Counter-Strike 2 (CS2)

Counter-Strike 2, also known as CS2, is the latest version of the legendary shooter from Valve. It’s a team-based game where players compete in intense gunfights, aiming to outplay the other team and complete objectives like planting or defusing bombs.

Key moments from 2024:

PGL Major Copenhagen: 1.85 million peak viewers.
IEM Katowice 2024: 24.6 million hours watched.

CS2’s gameplay is all about precision, strategy, and teamwork. The ESL Pro League and BLAST Premier circuits keep the competitive scene alive, with millions of viewers tuning in. In 2024, BLAST Premier’s Global Final had a $2.5 million prize pool, and similar and more numbers are expected in 2025.

CS2 is a must-play for shooter fans who love tactical gameplay and intense matches.

PUBG Mobile

The PUBG Mobile is one of the most popular mobile game and in 2025, it continues to dominate the mobile esports scene. It is one of the most played competitive video games. It’s a battle royale game where players drop onto an island, find weapons, and fight to be the last one standing. The shrinking map forces players into combat which creates tense and exciting matches.

Big highlights from 2024:

PUBG Global Invitational 2024: $16 million prize pool.
Hosted tournaments in Tashkent, Thailand, and Riyadh.

For 2025, PUBG Mobile has planned even more international tournaments. With a growing player base and revamped esports roadmap, it’s set to remain the top mobile game.

Related Article:
PUBG vs. Call of Duty: Battle Royale Showdown

Fortnite

Fortnite is a mix of battle royale and building mechanics makes it one of the most unique esports video games on this list. The Fortnite Players can play solo, duo, or squad matches, where creativity and quick thinking are the key elements.

2024 milestones of Fortnite:

Fortnite World Cup: $4 million prize pool.

In 2025, Fortnite’s competitive scene is getting a makeover with new formats and events. Its bright graphics and creative gameplay keep players coming back for more.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

Mobile Legends is one of the top esports games and top mobile MOBA games, especially in Southeast Asia. It’s simple to play but offers deep gameplay which makes it perfect for casual and competitive players.

2024 highlights:

530 million hours viewed across all events.
Prize pool of $7 million for the M4 World Championship.

The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang popularity is growing rapidly and in 2025, we expected to bring even bigger tournaments and more viewers.

Free Fire

Free Fire is another mobile hit, especially in Brazil, Indonesia, and Vietnam. It’s fast-paced, with shorter matches and intense action.

Key stats from 2024:

Esports World Cup 2024: $1 million prize pool.

With a packed schedule for 2025, Free Fire is set to continue its dominance in mobile esports.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Call of Duty’s esports scene is powered by the Call of Duty League (CDL). Teams like Atlanta FaZe and OpTic Texas bring exciting matches to fans worldwide.

2024 highlights:

CDL Championship: $2.4 million prize pool.

Though COD is not as big as other e-sports games it remains a fan favorite for shooter enthusiasts.

Overwatch 2

The colorful characters and team-based gameplay of Overwatch 2 make it a standout shooter game. The Overwatch League (OWL) is back in action, with viewership increasing by 30% in 2024.

Highlights:

Grand Finals: $3 million prize pool.

Teams like Dallas Fuel and Shanghai Dragons are expected to shine in 2025.

Final Thoughts

So these were the most popular esports games for 2025. The gaming industry is growing so fast that investors are pouring in huge amounts of money. This is great for the esports community, as we will continue to see growth and exciting opportunities in the coming years.

With huge tournaments, massive prize pools, and unforgettable moments, esports is here to stay and we are excited about upcoming esports games.

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