Most Popular eSports Games 2024

Esports has become more popular than ever. What was once considered a niche pastime for “teenage geeks and nerds” has transformed into a global sensation enjoyed by millions of people across the globe. Today, esports video gaming is considered an actual sport, featuring loads of professional players competing in different leagues and tournaments with incredible cash pots. You can even place real money wagers on top esports competitions today, just like cricket live line online and with traditional sports betting markets.

The rising popularity of esports in recent years is evident in its vast library of games. From multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA) to first-person shooters, battle royale, etc., there are loads of exciting titles in the esports world, with new ones launching often. However, amid this vast array of options, a select few stand out as giants in the industry, commanding the attention of players and fans alike.

This article explores some of the best and most popular esports games to play in 2024.

League of Legends

• Genre: MOBA
• Developer/Publisher: Riot Games
• Release Date: October 27, 2009
• Platform: Windows, MacOS
• Total Prize Pool: $102,579,497

League of Legends, abbreviated as LoL, is undeniably one of the most popular and vibrant titles that dominate today's esports world. It is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game created and published by American game developer Riot Games in 2009.

LoL's gameplay is action-packed, incorporating role-playing, defence, and real-time strategy elements, making it a cut above the rest. The general gist of the game involves two teams of five players controlling unique characters known as champions battling in player-versus-player combats. Each team occupies and defends half of the map and aims to destroy their opponent's “Nexus,” a large structure within the base.

Various LoL domestic and international tournaments are held around the globe, attracting millions of players to watch professional players compete. According to Statistica, the League of Legends 2023 World Championship became the most-watched esports event of all time, recording a peak viewership of 6.4 million. League of Legends is showing no signs of slowing down, making it one of the best titles to try in 2024.

Counter-Strike 2

• Genre: FPS
• Developer/Publisher: Valve
• Release date: September 27, 2023
• Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux
• Total Prize Pool: $136,271,033

Dating back to 2000, when the first game in the series launched, the Counter-Strike brand is undoubtedly a pioneer in the world of esports that has withstood the test of time. In 2023, Valve brought us the fifth game in the series, “Counter-Strike 2.” Released in 2023, Counter-Strike 2 is a tactical first-person shooter (FPS) game, essentially an updated version of the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO).

As an upgrade, this game retains the same gameplay of CS: GO by pitting two teams of terrorists and counter-terrorists against each other in various game modes with specific objectives. However, this iteration of the esports game comes with significant technical improvements and the introduction of new and improved game elements, including the shift from the Source game engine to Source 2.

The Counter-Strike esports brand dominates the esports world, featuring millions of viewers and a total prize pool of over $136,271,033, the second-largest of all time by any game.

DOTA 2

• Genre: MOBA
• Developer/Publisher: Valve
• Release date: July 9, 2013
• Platforms: Windows, Linux
• Total Prize Pool: $312,888,712

DOTA 2 is another video game developed by Valve as a sequel to the Defense of the Ancients (DotA). Like LoL, it is a MOBA game played between two teams of five players, each occupying and defending their base on the map. The gameplay is also similar, except the players control powerful characters known as “heroes” with unique abilities and play styles here. The main objective is to be the first to destroy the other team’s "Ancient," a large structure on their base.

While DOTA 2 doesn’t boast as much viewership as LoL, it is known to feature some of the largest prize pools in the world of esports tournaments yearly. In fact, the top DOTA league, "The International," holds the top 7 positions of the largest overall prize pool in esports from 2015 to 2022 (except 2021). It also has the first position in the total prize pool, totalling over $312,888,712.

Fortnite

• Genre: Survival, battle royale, sandbox
• Developer/Publisher: Epic Games
• Release date: July 21, 2017
• Platforms: macOS, Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, iOS, Android
• Total Prize Pool: $116,835,886

Developed and published by Epic Games, Fortnite is a household name in the world of esports. The game is available in six modes that typically share the same general gameplay and engine.

Perhaps the most popular game mode is the Fortnite Battle Royale, a player-vs-player game where 100 players fight to the death on an island to be the last man standing. The Fortnite Save the World mode features a combination of tower defence-shooter and survival gameplay, while the Fortnite Creative mode allows players to create worlds and battle arenas freely. The remaining game modes include the Lego Fortnite, Rocket Racing, and Fortnite Festival.

In terms of viewership, Fortnite attracts millions of viewers and features some of the biggest tournament prizes in esports. In fact, it currently holds the third position in the total esports prize pool, totalling $116,835,886.

Others

Besides the ones listed above, several other exciting esports games attract millions of players and fans worldwide and have mouth-watering prize pools. The table below shows some other popular titles to try in 2024.

Closing Thoughts

These are some of the biggest and most popular esports games to play in 2024. With a perfect blend of classic franchises and even exciting newcomers, 2024 will undoubtedly be a good year for the world of esports. Whether you are a fan of MOBAs, first-person shooter games, or any other genre, you will always find something to enjoy.