With multi-million dollar prize pools and viewership numbers that rival some of the world’s most popular traditional sporting events, esports tournaments are now the centre of a global ecosystem. But esports’ rise hasn’t happened overnight. The history of videogame-based competition stretches back decades, but it was only in the last decade that the industry grew to its current size and prominence.

The most famous esports tournaments are now attracting audiences in the millions and taking place in stadiums, with tens of thousands of spectators in attendance. These events feature players and teams from around the world competing in their chosen video game, surrounded by fans, media, and sponsors.

But even the biggest esports tournaments still face challenges. In recent years, technical glitches and logistical problems have marred the excitement of events like ESL ONE Cologne and the 2025 Major Shanghai. Yet these issues have also highlighted the rapid evolution of esports tournaments, with the emphasis now shifting from overcoming technical hurdles to improving production values and overall professionalism.

As a result, the world of esports has become increasingly similar to that of traditional sports. Teams compete in a regular season, earn points or rankings based on their performance, and then advance to the playoffs or championships. The best teams can compete for the ultimate title, which is often accompanied by massive prize pools and worldwide recognition.

With so many different esports to choose from, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest tournament news. So we’ve rounded up the most important headlines from across the globe, so you can stay up to date on all the action from the world of competitive gaming.