Top 5 esports leagues in terms of popularity

sportskeeda.com:

Esports is a thriving medium and a major share of its success can be owed to several tournaments that keep players engaged and incentivize them to get better. Esports leagues have a certain prize pool associated with them, which is one of the main draws for many competitive players around the globe. The more popular these leagues get, the better it is for the game’s longevity.

The sheer number of tournaments pertaining to games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and other popular esports titles can be overwhelming for a majority of players. However, there are a bunch of iconic esports leagues that newcomers can delve into.

Disclaimer: This listicle is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.

League of Legends World Championship is one of the most popular esports leagues that is organized annually. The 2022 championship was no different as it garnered a peak viewer count of over 5 million. League of Legends World Championship has a sizeable prize pool (more than $2 million in 2022) wherein teams from all over the world face off in League of Legends.

There are multiple stages in the championship starting with the Play-In stage and ending in the Knockout Stage, which includes quarterfinals, semi-finals, and a final match. The 2022 tournament was won by DRX, one of the best teams in South Korea.

Valorant is quickly becoming one of the most beloved esports games, especially considering how it is one of the youngest esports titles launched in 2020. The game’s popularity is reflected in the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) as it amassed a whopping 1.5 million viewers.

This feat was achieved in the final match that involved LOUD and OpTic Gaming. Ultimately, it was LOUD that nabbed the win, and the highlights of VCT 2022