The eSports landscape is perpetually in motion, with an ever-growing audience tuning in to witness tournaments and cheer on their preferred squads. Every passing year sees an uptick in the number of contests for gamers. We’re here to highlight some of the most exciting minor tournaments that should be on your radar if you’re an eSports enthusiast.
eSports tournaments have become a significant segment of the video game industry. These competitions, often put together by leading global companies, feature the most popular games and take place in major arenas around the world. They attract millions of spectators, whether they’re watching from the comfort of their homes or live in the venue.
In 2022, the newly minted Thunderpick World Championship previously known as Thunderpick Bitcoin Series took place. This CS:GO tournament boasted a substantial prize pool of 1.2 bitcoins. Given that cryptocurrency prices can fluctuate rapidly due to volatility, the organizers guaranteed a minimum payout of $75,000 to the top eight teams.
The previous tournament consisted of three stages. It kicked off with a closed qualifier that spanned three days. Four invited teams, including eSuba, OFFSET, Into the Breach, and BIG Academy, competed for the chance to participate in the tournament.
The main event of the matches spanned two days, where the victorious team from the qualifying rounds joined 15 other contenders. The primary objective of this stage was to identify the top eight teams to advance into the playoffs.
The competition’s final phase consisted of head-to-head battles between teams in a single-elimination system.
The Electronic Sports League (ESL) stands as one of the most prominent esports leagues globally, hosting minor tournaments since 1997. In 2013, ESL took the helm of one of the most notable Dota 2 tournaments, EMS One.
Mars Dota 2 League (MDL) is another renowned minor tournament format attracting participants and spectators worldwide. Notably, despite its international format, the tournament primarily caters to audiences from mainland China, with Mars Media organizing all events within the tournament’s framework.
The tournament enjoys widespread coverage, not just in China but across the globe. For instance, live broadcasts of the tournament are popular among the French. Its global popularity brings significant revenue to the organizers.
Under DreamLeague’s banner, tournaments are conducted in both minor and major formats, the latter offering larger cash prizes. DreamHack, the organizer, has seen a consistent rise in popularity for its competitions since its inception in 2013.
Most meetings transpire in Sweden, the location of the chief headquarters of the organizing firm, ensuring all competitions maintain an exceptional quality standard.
Renowned for hosting Dota 2 esports competitions since 2013, WePlay often goes unnoticed despite its tournaments boasting a quality level on par with titans like ESL and DreamHack. The high caliber of these tournaments is largely attributed to WePlay’s focus on both esports and the broader entertainment sector.
Since 2014, the DOTA Summit, another middle-tier Dota 2 tournament, has been a prominent fixture in the esports world. Some tournaments have prize pools reaching up to $300,000, a typical figure for minor-level competitions.
The organizing force behind these meetings is the American company Beyond the Summit. Founded in 2012, it has grown into the world’s largest esports company.
Based in Singapore, ONE Esports burst onto the Dota 2 esports scene in 2019. The company has organized two major ONE Esports Dota 2 World Pro Invitational tournaments, each boasting a prize pool of $500,000.
Currently, ONE Esports is actively managing minor tournaments, drawing the attention of players worldwide.
Alisports, a subsidiary of the Alibaba Group, annually organizes a series of tournaments that captivate the eSports world. These events, hosted in various global regions, serve as qualifiers for the main tournament of the year, boasting a hefty prize pool. Performing well in these tournaments provides teams with a golden opportunity to gain worldwide recognition.
Starladder, a renowned Ukrainian company, has been at the forefront of organizing eSports tournaments in CS:GO and other games since 2012. Currently, they supervise three high-profile tournaments:
Starladder is notable for its high-quality competitions, featuring significant prize pools starting from $200,000.
In Summary
In conclusion, these are just a few of the riveting events in the eSports realm that could capture your interest. If you’re an eSports enthusiast, take advantage of all of these exciting tournaments. Remaining tuned into these events allows you to observe how high-caliber players adapt their strategies and tactics, presenting an invaluable learning opportunity for those aiming to become gamers. The worldwide impact of these tournaments emphasizes the broad allure and impact of eSports in competitive amusement. Therefore, make sure you seize the opportunity to participate in these exhilarating moments actively shaping eSports’s continuously growing domain.
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Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
