Top Esports Tournaments To Watch This Year

The Tournaments That Matter

Esports has evolved into a global spectacle, and 2024 is shaping up to be one of its most competitive years yet. From legendary legacy events to bold newcomers, the tournament calendar is packed with drama, talent, and opportunities on and off the main stage.

What Makes These Tournaments Special?

It’s not just about crowning champions anymore. These top tier competitions highlight the intersection of gameplay, entertainment, and industry influence.
Massive Prize Pools: Multi million dollar rewards attract elite players and increase global visibility.
High Production Value: Broadcasts now rival mainstream sports with expert commentary, advanced graphics, and cinematic storytelling.
Global Participation: Players from every region compete on international stages, bringing diverse playstyles and thrilling upsets.

More Than Just a Leaderboard

These events impact more than who wins or loses. They serve as benchmarks for the esports ecosystem.
Player Growth: Rising stars often make their name under pressure during these tournaments.
Team Strategy: How teams perform can change roster decisions, coaching hires, and sponsorship deals.
Meta Influence: In game strategies evolve quickly after being tested at the highest level.

Why Fans, Teams, and Sponsors Pay Attention

Each group brings its own perspective to these events:

Fans

Watch to support favorite players and organizations
Follow storylines that go beyond the bracket
Engage through watch parties, live chats, and fantasy leagues

Teams

Use events as proving grounds, internally and externally
Garner media attention and fan growth from strong performances
Adjust rosters and strategies based on outcomes

Sponsors

Seek brand exposure within a rapidly growing audience
Collaborate with teams and tournaments for cross promotional success
Analyze viewership data to guide future esports investments

In short, these tournaments anchor the esports calendar and set the tone for the entire competitive season. Whether you’re watching for the spectacle or tracking industry trends, they’re must see moments that shape the year.

League of Legends World Championship

Riot Games doesn’t coast on past success. Every year, the League of Legends World Championship (Worlds) gets bigger, cleaner, and more competitive. 2024 is no exception. From production to prize pool, Riot is pushing the boundaries of what a global esports tournament can be.

Each regional league LPL, LCK, LEC, LCS, and others serves as both proving ground and feeder system. Only the strongest teams from each region earn a shot at the Worlds stage, and the fight to qualify is no formality. Rosters evolve fast, metas shift by the week, and regional narratives drive hype into overdrive before the main event even begins. If you’re following the storylines, pay close attention to emerging rookies, clutch veterans, and the LPL’s consistency vs. the LCK’s precision.

This year, the prize pool is set to rival past records, stacked through a mix of base funding and in game item revenue. What’s new? A tighter Swiss format leading into knockouts, designed to guarantee more inter regional matchups early and up the pressure fast. Expect volatility and fireworks from day one.

Worlds remains the benchmark. Every team wants in. Only one walks away a legend.

The International (Dota 2)

The International remains one of the most iconic and lucrative tournaments in esports. Even with prize pools dipping slightly from their all time peaks, it still stands as a financial Everest for players and teams. Valve’s approach to funding has shifted, moving away from the massive crowdfunding spikes of previous years. Instead of ballooning one event, they’re stretching community support more evenly across the Dota Pro Circuit. Some fans hate it. Some think it’s overdue. Either way, the numbers still dwarf most other esports events.

Beyond the money, this year’s TI is already shaping up with classic Dota drama: unconventional draft picks rattling the meta, unexpected upsets throwing predictions out the window, and legacy teams clawing their way back into relevance. When it comes to storylines, few tournaments deliver as reliably. It’s raw strategy, unpredictable pacing, and bragging rights that span careers.

For veterans and new blood alike, TI still sets the tone for Dota’s competitive ecosystem. It’s where reputations are made or crushed.

Valorant Champions Tour (VCT)

Valorant isn’t just Riot’s second act anymore it’s a full blown main stage event. The VCT is flexing hard in 2024, with tighter production, deeper team stories, and a fanbase that’s growing more invested by the split. What started as a question mark title now has a global structure that mirrors the prestige of League of Legends Worlds, and the stakes are rising.

Regional rivalries are heating up across the board. EMEA versus Pacific is the headline battle, but don’t sleep on surprise pushes from North America and Latin America. Each region’s meta is evolving on its own terms aggressive double duelist comps in Brazil, disciplined utility play in Korea. Fans are picking sides, and so are sponsors.

At the team level, tight communication and raw mechanical skill are separating contenders from also rans. The best squads aren’t just sharp they’re in sync. Mid round adaptation, role flexibility, and clean post plant execution are the name of the game. As the championship approaches, expect nothing less than clutch moments and heartbreak finishes. VCT is no longer proving itself it’s defining what top tier FPS competition looks like.

Call of Duty League Championship

The Call of Duty League (CDL) isn’t standing still. In 2024, the league is tightening up its competitive format with more consistent match flow, clearer seeding rules, and simplified playoff structures. Weekly matches are sharper, with every round carrying more weight bad weekends cost more, good ones pay off faster. It’s leaner, tenser, and demands peak performance from the first whistle.

Franchises are starting to find their rhythm, too. Atlanta FaZe still wears the crown in terms of firepower, but teams like OpTic Texas and New York Subliners are refusing to roll over. The rivalries aren’t just on paper either there’s venom when these squads meet. Fan chants, clutch moments, even the occasional social media feud keep the storylines hot.

And that matters, because fans in CoD don’t just watch they ride or die. Many grew up with the franchise, grinding old maps and following their favorite players from the CWL to the CDL. Local pride adds fuel to the fire, especially with teams rooted in cities. When you combine history, regional loyalty, and a fast paced shooter that never stops evolving, you get a fanbase that shows up every match day with something to prove.

CDL isn’t trying to be every esport. It’s carving its lane: gritty, loud, and loyal. And that’s why it still hits hard.

ESL Pro League & CS2 Majors

Counter Strike 2 is finally stretching its legs, and the full competitive rollout is showing just how different the game feels under pressure. Cleaner visuals, tickless servers, updated maps it’s not just a reskin, it’s a reinvention. ESL Pro League and the new Majors are where this version is being put to the test, and the outcomes are already leaning heavily on who adapted fastest.

A few legacy teams like FaZe and NaVi are still holding strong, but don’t be surprised if underdogs crack the top eight. Roster shakeups have been a theme some veteran players just aren’t translating the same CS:GO momentum into CS2’s tighter, timing driven play. Watch squads like Vitality or Monte, who’ve found smart synergy with newer lineups.

And here’s why viewership might explode this season: CS2’s launch has reignited interest from lapsed fans while sharpening focus across the pro scene. Cleaner spectator tools, tighter matches, and a sense that anything can happen all mean better storytelling, better clips, and more eyes on broadcasts. This year’s Majors aren’t just tournaments they’re the proving grounds for a new era of Counter Strike.

Honorable Mentions

Not every major esports moment happens on the biggest stages. These tournaments may not always make global headlines, but they represent some of the most dedicated communities and electrifying gameplay in the industry.

Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS): Skill Meets Spectacle

Rocket League continues to defy expectations with its unique blend of arcade style mechanics and high level competitive strategy. RLCS remains a fan favorite for its:
Fast paced, visually engaging matches
Strong international representation, with teams from North America, Europe, and beyond
Dynamic metas that shift with minor patch updates and player innovations

With new talent emerging and veterans still in play, this year’s RLCS is set to deliver highlight after highlight.

Fortnite FNCS: Still Relevant, Still Explosive

Despite facing stiff competition from newer titles, Fortnite’s Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS) proves the game’s staying power. The FNCS continues to pull strong viewership thanks to:
Epic’s rotating formats that keep gameplay fresh
Big cash incentives for solo and team participation
A global pool of players that brings diverse playstyles

It remains one of the few battle royales that combines massive in game events with a thriving competitive ecosystem.

Mobile Esports on the Rise: PUBG Mobile, Free Fire & More

Mobile esports has stepped firmly into the spotlight. With massive audiences across Asia, South America, and the Middle East, mobile titles are quickly reshaping competitive gaming. Keep an eye on:
PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC): World class aim, tactics, and regional clashes
Free Fire World Series: Fast paced, accessible action with loyal fans worldwide
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournaments: Particularly dominant in Southeast Asia, with huge regional followings

These events reflect not just the growth of mobile gaming, but its legitimacy as a core part of the global esports scene.

Where to Catch the Best Moments

Staying plugged into the top esports tournaments doesn’t take a full time schedule. Just know where to look. Match schedules and updated standings are everywhere now across game specific sites, official league pages, and even mobile notification apps that ping you before kickoff. If you’re following multiple games, services like Liquipedia or Score Esports help you track it all without the noise.

For the live action, Twitch and YouTube remain the go to platforms. Most major tournament organizers also host their own streams or link to partnered broadcasts. Don’t sleep on YouTube’s VODs or highlights they land fast and are easy to binge. If you want more interaction, fan led watch parties on Discord or co streams with ex pros give solid commentary and inside edges.

Keep a regular pulse on tournaments and killer plays by checking the latest esports highlights. Whether you’re after clutch team fights, near impossible flick shots, or breaking roster news, they’ve got the recap you didn’t know you needed.