As 2024 comes to a close, Esports Charts takes a moment to reflect on the major trends in the esports industry, particularly the highest-earning esports games of the year. This article highlights the most significant esports titles and their prize pools in 2024, shedding light on some exciting developments, shifts in rankings, and the growth of newer titles.
Dota 2 Retains Its Lead, Despite a Drop in Prize Pool
Dota 2 continues to dominate as the top esports title by prize pool, securing its position for the fourth consecutive year. In 2024, Dota 2’s prize pool totaled over $22.6 million. Although this represents a 28% decrease from 2023, the game remains a powerhouse in the esports scene. The primary reason for the drop was the reduced prize pool at the Riyadh Masters, which saw its total funding slashed from $15 million to $5 million year-over-year. Despite this decline, Dota 2’s overall prize pool still leads the industry, marking an impressive total of over $330 million awarded since the game’s inception.
The competitive scene surrounding Dota 2 is unparalleled
Counter-Strike: The Rising Challenger
Following closely behind, Counter-Strike’s prize pool in 2024 amounted to just under $22.7 million, a 10.5% increase compared to the previous year. This increase is a testament to the growing popularity of the title, fueled by a substantial number of tournaments. Counter-Strike led the way in tournament frequency, hosting over 700 competitions in 2024. Notably, the game held six tournaments with prize pools exceeding $1 million and is already poised for even bigger events in 2025, with 11 major tournaments slated for the upcoming year, including new series from PGL and FISSURE.
The game’s surge in tournaments and increased prize funding have made it a formidable contender in the esports space. Counter-Strike’s dedication to high-quality, competitive play and its vibrant fanbase ensure that it remains one of the most-watched esports titles in the world.
Honor of Kings: Breaking New Ground
2024 was a monumental year for Honor of Kings, as it became the fifth esports title to break the $20 million prize pool barrier. Joining the ranks of Dota 2, Counter-Strike, PUBG Mobile, and Fortnite, Honor of Kings made waves with its King Pro League Season Finals 2024, which boasted a staggering ¥70,000,000 CNY (over $9.6 million) in prize money. The game also saw the introduction of the Honor of Kings Invitational Midseason 2024 in Saudi Arabia, an event with a prize pool of $3.05 million—10 times the size of its previous iterations.
The year marked a turning point for Honor of Kings, which not only saw an increase in its total prize pool but also boasted one of the highest average prize pools per tournament. With each event surpassing $410,000, Honor of Kings has proven itself to be a rising star in the esports ecosystem, outpacing some of the more traditional games in terms of growth and viewership.
PUBG Mobile’s Consistent Dominance
PUBG Mobile continues to hold a strong position in the esports landscape, despite a 26% reduction in its prize pool compared to 2023. The slight decrease in prize money was due to changes in the tournament schedule, including the absence of two major events that took place in 2023. Nevertheless, PUBG Mobile’s 2024 total prize pool reached an impressive $100 million, further solidifying the game’s dominance in the mobile gaming scene.
The mobile esports market continues to grow at a rapid pace, and PUBG Mobile remains a leader in this space, offering large-scale events that attract players and viewers from around the globe. The game’s ability to remain relevant and continuously offer substantial prize pools highlights the strength of its community and the importance of mobile gaming in the broader esports ecosystem.
Fortnite: A Slight Drop
Fortnite saw a dip in its rankings in 2024, dropping two spots in the list of top esports games by prize pool. A major contributing factor to this decline was the reduction in the prize pool for the FNCS Global Championship, which was halved compared to previous years. Additionally, the Esports World Cup 2024 featured a prize pool that was only half of what the Gamers8 2023 tournament offered.
While Fortnite’s ranking slipped, the game still maintains a substantial presence in the esports world. Its large-scale, accessible nature continues to appeal to casual and competitive players alike, and it remains one of the most popular battle royale titles globally. Fortnite’s ability to maintain a loyal fanbase despite its prize pool challenges is a testament to the game’s broad cultural impact.
Rising Titles and Shifting Rankings
Other noteworthy changes in the rankings include the rise of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, which made an impressive leap from 15th to 9th place. This surge was primarily driven by the MLBB Mid Season Cup 2024, which became the largest event in the game’s history. As a result, Mobile Legends has secured its place among the top esports titles, proving that mobile games are becoming increasingly relevant in the competitive gaming space.
On the other hand, Rainbow Six Siege experienced a slight boost, moving up one spot in the rankings. Although its total prize pool remained relatively unchanged, Rainbow Six Siege crossed the $50 million mark in total prize money, marking a significant achievement for the tactical shooter.
League of Legends and Valorant remained mainstays in the top 10, with League of Legends edging ahead slightly thanks to its successful Esports World Cup 2024, which featured a $1 million prize pool. These two Riot Games titles continue to offer competitive experiences that are unmatched in terms of global appeal, with both games attracting millions of viewers worldwide.
The Top 10 Esports Games of 2024 by Prize Pool
- Dota 2: $22,683,587
- Counter-Strike: $22,676,007
- Honor of Kings: $20,606,718
- PUBG Mobile: $16,261,554
- Fortnite: $13,351,593
- Rainbow 6: $9,561,658
- League of Legends: $9,232,452
- Valorant: $8,940,877
- Mobile Legends: $7,975,974
- PUBG: Battlegrounds: $6,952,857
Conclusion: A Growing Industry
The esports industry continues to thrive, with major games reaching new heights in terms of prize pools, viewership, and player participation. While Dota 2 holds onto its position at the top, other titles such as Counter-Strike, Honor of Kings, and PUBG Mobile are proving that the competitive gaming scene is as dynamic and diverse as ever. With new games emerging and established titles pushing the boundaries of competitive gaming, 2024 has been a year to remember in the esports world.
The future looks bright for esports, and as prize pools grow and more organizations and sponsors get involved, the potential for esports to continue breaking records and reaching new audiences is limitless.
