Esports has grown exponentially in recent years, transforming from a niche hobby into a global industry. Today, millions of fans tune in to watch tournaments, while players can earn substantial prizes and sponsorships. In 2025, the global esports audience reach 640.8 million this year, and the industry generated over $2.89 billion in revenue, illustrating its massive scale and influence.
Whether you’re a casual player looking for fun, a competitive gamer seeking prize money, or someone aiming to stream to thousands of viewers, understanding the biggest esports games is key. In this guide, we’ll cover:.
- Top 10 Most Popular Esports Games
- The Fastest Growing Esports Games
- Tips for Creating the Perfect Esports Gaming Set-Up
Top 10 Most Popular Esports Games
If you’re looking to get involved in esports, either watching or playing, it makes sense to go where the action is. These are the most popular esports games in 2025, based on viewership. Not only will these draw the biggest events, but often the biggest prize pots too.
League of Legends
- Viewership figures: Around 6.9 million peak viewers during 2024 tournaments
- Type of game: Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA)
- Why is it popular? League of Legends is one of the most established esports titles in the world, with a massive global following and multi-million-dollar prize pools. Its competitive gameplay and regular updates keep players engaged.
Counter-Strike / Counter-Strike 2
- Viewership figures: Peaks of 1.3 million viewers during major CS:GO tournaments
- Type of game: Tactical first-person shooter (FPS)
- Why is it popular? Known for its strategic depth and competitive scene, Counter-Strike remains a staple for FPS enthusiasts worldwide.
Dota 2
- Viewership figures: 5 million concurrent viewers during The International 2024
- Type of game: MOBA
- Why is it popular? Dota 2 is famous for its enormous prize pools (over $40 million for The International), deep strategy, and passionate community.
Valorant
- Viewership figures: 1.2 million peak viewers
- Type of game: Tactical FPS
- Why is it popular? Valorant combines precise shooting mechanics with hero-based abilities, creating a fresh take on tactical FPS games.
Fortnite
- Viewership figures: 1.5 million concurrent viewers
- Type of game: Battle royale / sandbox
- Why is it popular? Its creative building mechanics and constant updates keep Fortnite players coming back. If you want a more detailed look make sure to check out our Fortnite specs guide.
PUBG: Battlegrounds
- Viewership figures: 800,000 peak viewers
- Type of game: Battle royale
- Why is it popular? PUBG’s realistic gunplay and survival mechanics have established it as a competitive staple for PC players.
The Fastest Growing Esports Games
While the games above are the most popular, breaking into established esports can be tough due to saturated competition. Fast-growing titles offer a sweet spot of opportunity, fun, and prize potential.
FragPunk
- Viewership figures: 250,000 peak viewers
- Type of game: Shooter / arena combat
- Why it’s a good time to play: Freshly launched in 2025, the pro scene is still forming. Its fast-paced gameplay rewards early adopters.
Street Fighter 6 / Modern FGC
- Viewership figures: 400,000 peak viewers
- Type of game: Fighting game
- Why it’s a good time to play: Revitalised competitive scene with engaging mechanics for both casual and serious players.
Apex Legends – ALGS Circuit
- Viewership figures: 1 million peak viewers
- Type of game: Battle royale
- Why it’s a good time to play: Competitive circuits and regular updates create opportunities for emerging players
Tips for Creating the Perfect Esports Gaming Set-Up
Want to get involved? A high-performance gaming setup is essential to compete effectively and enjoy esports at its best. Here’s what you’ll need:
- PC Hardware: A gaming PC capable of high FPS with low latency.
- Monitor: High refresh rate (144Hz+) for smooth visuals.
- Mouse & Keyboard: Responsive peripherals tailored to your game type.
- Headset: Clear sound for communication and in-game awareness.
- Chair, Desk & Ergonomics: Comfortable, adjustable setup. Check out our gaming room ideas for tips.
- Optimising In-Game Settings: Reduce graphics settings to increase FPS and cap slightly below monitor refresh rate for consistency. Not sure why this is important? Our FPS guide can help.
Whether you’re chasing prize money, streaming to viewers, or playing for fun, the most popular esports games offer a wealth of opportunities. For more information, explore CyberPowerUK’s gaming PCs, custom PCs, gear store, and blog, and check out our what is esports? guide to dive deeper into the world of competitive gaming.