Esports tournaments are a global phenomenon, revolutionizing the way gamers follow and engage with video games. These high-stakes events feature top teams from popular games competing in world-class arenas and streams, watched by millions and backed by major brands.
The esports landscape is huge, with many different genres of video games and competitions for each. For example, League of Legends and CS:GO are two popular esports with their own major championships and a wide range of smaller leagues and events.
These tournaments are often organized by the publishers of a video game, which are responsible for its production and distribution. They also manage the esports ecosystem, which includes leagues and events for their games.
Publishers are a critical part of the esports ecosystem as they provide financing and support to tournament organizers, as well as ensuring the game’s availability through retailers and streaming platforms.
For example, Fnatic is one of the most recognizable names in esports thanks to their dominance in League of Legends and CS:GO. The UK-based organization has won multiple major titles and is the most successful esports team worldwide, including winning the first-ever League of Legends World Championship in 2011. Astralis is another dominant force in CS:GO, winning three major events and several minor ones through disciplined gameplay and innovative strategies.
The 2025 esports calendar is incredibly busy with international leagues and events for multiple titles. Check out our month-by-month guide to see the most important upcoming tournaments and events for your favorite video games.