Esports tournaments take video games to the next level – it’s like the gamer version of an athletic championship. These global competitions attract millions of in-person and online spectators and are hosted by some of the world’s most famous video game companies. Top gamers compete in a variety of tournaments and leagues to win prize money and brand sponsorships.
First-person shooters, real-time strategy games and sports simulations are some of the most popular types of esports. These competitions allow gamers to play as their characters, view all the action from their character’s perspective and hunt down and kill opponents to earn a cash prize.
The esports calendar is jam-packed with events in 2025. From a blockbuster FPS like Counter-Strike to the acclaimed strategy game Dota 2, players and fans are excited for big events that will showcase their skill. 2025’s esports calendar includes the League of Legends Worlds, Capcom Cup 11, Street Fighter 6’s biggest event and Rocket League’s RLCS 2025 Birmingham Major.
As the eSports industry continues to grow, it’s important to understand how the eSports tournament system works. The structure of team-based eSports follows patterns similar to professional sports in European and Asian countries, with promotions and relegation in order to balance the competition and keep it fair for all teams. Sponsored teams will play a number of games over the course of a season, and depending on how they do at each event, they may be promoted or relegated to a different league.