Esports players rake in serious cash. Top pros earn millions yearly, while many pocket hundreds of thousands. The average North American League of Legends player’s salary hit $410,000 in 2020. 2 That’s way above the U.S. average wage of $70,930. Prize money, sponsorships, and content creation add even more to their income.
I’ve covered esports for 15 years, tracking player earnings across major leagues and tournaments. My research shows DOTA 2 leads the pack in payouts. The top 10 highest-paid players have earned a combined $55,213,680.23. 3 Want to know where this money comes from? Keep reading.
Key Takeaways
Top esports pros earn millions yearly, with average North American League of Legends player salaries reaching $410,000 in 2020.
Prize money from tournaments is huge, with Dota 2’s The International 2021 offering a record $40 million prize pool.
Brand sponsorships and content creation on platforms like Twitch and YouTube provide major income streams for players, with some earning up to $5 million monthly from streaming.
The most lucrative esports games are Dota 2 ($355 million total prize money), Fortnite ($185 million), and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive ($162 million).
A player’s earnings depend heavily on their skill level and the popularity of the game they compete in, with top-tier Counter-Strike pros making around $40,000 per month.
Table of Contents
Exploring Esports Earnings
Esports players rake in serious cash. Top pros earn millions through salaries, prize money, and sponsorships.
Salaries of Esports Players
Esports players’ salaries have skyrocketed in recent years. Top performers now command impressive paychecks, rivaling traditional sports stars. 1
| League | Average Salary | Top Salary |
|---|---|---|
| LCS (North America) | $410,000/year | $2 million+/year |
| LPL (China) | $640,000/year | $5.3 million/year |
| VALORANT | $20,000-$40,000/month | $480,000/year |
League of Legends leads the pack in player compensation. Cloud9 signed Perkz to a $6 million contract over three years in 2020. Chinese LPL players can earn up to $5.3 million annually. 2 VALORANT pros rake in $20,000 to $40,000 monthly. Salaries vary based on game popularity and player skill. Some gamers boost earnings through GGBet bonus offers and other betting platforms. Prize money from tournaments adds significantly to total income.
Prize Money in Esports Competitions
Prize money in esports competitions has skyrocketed, attracting top talent and fueling industry growth.
| Competition | Prize Pool |
|---|---|
| CS:GO BLAST Premier Spring Finals | $425,000 |
| The International 2021 (Dota 2) | $40 million |
Dota 2 leads the pack with massive prize pools. The International 2021 hit a record $40 million. 3 CS:GO tournaments offer substantial rewards too. The BLAST Premier Spring Finals boasts a $425,000 prize pool.
Prize distribution varies by team. OpTic Gaming players receive 80% of winnings. This split incentivizes peak performance and team cohesion.
Individual earnings can be staggering. Johan ‘N0tail’ Sundstein has amassed $7.1 million in total prize money. 3 Even young players cash in big – K1NG earned $1.01 million in Fortnite at just 13 years old.
Female players are making their mark. Scarlett, a Starcraft II pro, has career earnings of $445,831.56. She’s the highest-earning woman in esports to date.
These eye-popping figures highlight the financial potential in competitive gaming. Next, we’ll explore other income streams for esports pros. 4
Diverse Income Sources for Esports Players
Esports players have many ways to earn money beyond tournament winnings. They tap into brand deals, content creation, and merch sales to boost their income.
Brand Partnerships and Sponsorships
Brand partnerships and sponsorships form the backbone of many esports players’ income. Major brands like Red Bull have poured over $578 million into the esports industry, recognizing its massive appeal. 5 Players leverage their popularity to secure lucrative deals, promoting products to their vast fan bases. These collaborations often include logo placements on jerseys, social media endorsements, and appearances at brand events.
Sponsorships represent the largest income source for numerous esports pros. The esports industry’s revenue from media rights and sponsorships is projected to hit $833.6 million in 2022. 4 Some players, like Tyson ‘TenZ’ Ngo, have struck gold with brand collaborations. TenZ’s partnership with Finalmouse generated a staggering $7.6 million in sales, showcasing the immense potential of these deals.
Sponsorships are the lifeblood of professional esports. They provide stability and opportunities for players to focus on their craft while representing brands they believe in. – Peter Dager, esports veteran
Revenue from Content Creation and Brand Deals
Building on the success of brand partnerships, esports players leverage content creation for additional income. Popular platforms like YouTube and Twitch offer lucrative opportunities through ad revenue, subscriptions, and viewer donations. 4 Top streamers like Ninja have reported earnings of up to $5 million in a single month from game-related content.
Successful content creators can earn around $5,000 monthly from streaming alone. 6 Ninja’s potential monthly streaming income ranges from $500,000 to $1 million. Many pro gamers, including Michael ‘Shroud’ Grzesiek and Félix ‘xQc’ Lengyel, have shifted focus to content creation, capitalizing on their gaming skills and personalities to boost their earnings beyond tournament winnings.
Sales of Personal Merchandise
Esports stars leverage their fame through merchandise sales. League of Legends pro Carl Martin Erik Larsson (Rekkles) offers hoodies and t-shirts on his website. This strategy boosts income beyond tournament winnings and salaries. 4 Players design custom apparel, accessories, and gaming gear for fans. Limited-edition drops create buzz and drive sales. Savvy pros partner with established brands for wider distribution.
Merchandise revenue helps buffer fluctuations in competitive earnings.
Top players’ personal brands translate into lucrative product lines. Fans eagerly buy items to support their heroes and show team loyalty. Signed jerseys, mouse pads, and headsets are hot sellers.
Some pros launch full lifestyle collections. E-commerce platforms and social media make direct-to-consumer sales easy. Merchandise income provides financial stability in the volatile esports world. 7
Lucrative Esports Games
Esports games offer big money. Dota 2 and League of Legends top the charts for player earnings.
Games with the Highest Earnings
Certain games dominate the esports landscape, offering massive prize pools, that have elevated competitive gaming to be considered a professional sport. Here’s a breakdown of the top-earning games:
| Game | Total Prize Money | Number of Tournaments |
|---|---|---|
| Dota 2 | $355,130,022.22 | 1,916 |
| Fortnite | $185,337,895.29 | 2,248 |
| Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | $162,403,024.06 | 6,989 |
| League of Legends | $111,579,332.47 | 2,974 |
Dota 2 leads the pack with a staggering $355 million in prizes. 9 The International (TI) boosts Dota 2’s earnings, offering $10-40 million prize pools. Fortnite secures second place, distributing $185 million across fewer events. 8 CS:GO shows impressive numbers, spreading $162 million over 6,989 tournaments. League of Legends rounds out the top four, awarding $111 million through nearly 3,000 competitions.
Top Earners in Esports
Esports has created millionaires. Top players rake in cash from tournaments, sponsorships, and streaming.
Profiles of Leading Esports Players
Top esports players earn millions through their skills and popularity. Here’s a look at some of the highest-earning pros:
- Johan “N0tail” Sundstein: This DOTA 2 champion tops the list with $7,184,163 in earnings. N0tail’s strategic gameplay and team leadership have made him a legend in the esports world. 10
- Jesse “JerAx” Vainikka: Another DOTA 2 star, JerAx has amassed $6,486,623 in prize money. His support role mastery and clutch plays have secured him a spot among the elite.
- Anathan “Ana” Pham: With $6,024,411 in winnings, Ana’s DOTA 2 carry skills are unmatched. His ability to farm efficiently and dominate late-game fights has led to multiple tournament victories.
- Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen: This DOTA 2 mid-laner has earned $5,699,189 through his unconventional hero picks and aggressive playstyle. Topson’s unpredictability often catches opponents off-guard.
- Kuro “KuroKy” Takhasomi: A veteran DOTA 2 player and captain, KuroKy has accumulated $5,285,547 in earnings. His leadership and drafting skills have guided teams to numerous championships.
- Amer “Miracle-” Al-Barkawi: Known for his versatility across multiple roles, Miracle- has earned $4,882,085 playing DOTA 2. His mechanical skill and game sense make him a formidable opponent in any position. 11
Key Factors That Affect Esports Income
Game popularity and player skill shape esports income… Read on to discover how these factors impact pro gamers’ earnings.
Influence of Game Popularity
Game popularity directly impacts esports players’ income. According to the esports experts at Geek Extreme, top titles like Dota 2 and Fortnite boast prize pools reaching millions of dollars.
Players competing in these games have higher earning potential through sponsorships, streaming revenue, and merchandise sales. To start an esports team, focus on games with large followings and established competitive scenes.
Popular games attract more viewers, leading to increased ad revenue and sponsorship opportunities for skilled players. 1211
Impact of Player Skill Level
Skill level directly impacts an esports player’s earning potential. 12 Top-tier CS:GO pros rake in around $40,000 monthly, while A-Tier players pocket $15,000-$20,000. Higher skills open doors to lucrative sponsorships, bigger tournament prizes, and better team contracts.
Skill is the currency of esports. The better you are, the more you earn. – Félix ‘xQc’ Lengyel
Players like Anathan “ana” Pham and Sasha “Scarlett” Hostyn have leveraged their exceptional abilities in Dota 2 and StarCraft II to secure substantial incomes. Their success underscores how mastery in specific games can lead to financial rewards in the competitive gaming landscape. 13
People Also Ask
How much do top esports players earn?
Elite pros like Félix ‘xQc’ Lengyel can make millions. Team Liquid and FaZe Clan stars often earn six-figure salaries. Tournament winnings, like Dota 2’s The International, can exceed $3 million for champions.
What are surprising income sources for esports players?
Livestreaming on Twitch or YouTube is huge. Pros like Shroud and TimTheTatMan rake in cash from subscriptions and donations. Sponsorships, merchandise sales, and coaching gigs add more. Some, like PewDiePie, branch into broader content creation.
Do esports earnings vary by game?
Yes. MOBA titles like League of Legends offer massive prize pools. FPS games like Rainbow Six Siege have growing scenes. Fighting game community stars like SonicFox earn well too. Earnings differ based on game popularity and tournament structures.
How do lesser-known players make money?
Many stream on Twitch or create YouTube videos. They might join smaller teams like Virtus.pro or Vici Gaming. Some offer gameplay tips or walkthroughs. Others do coaching or compete in local tournaments for extra cash.
Are there regional differences in esports earnings?
Absolutely. North American and European scenes often pay more. But Asian teams like LGD Gaming and Invictus Gaming offer competitive salaries. Some players, like Sasha “Scarlett” Hostyn, have found success abroad.
How stable is income for esports players?
It varies. Top players on teams like Evil Geniuses or Fnatic have steady salaries. But many rely on unpredictable tournament winnings or streaming income. Career longevity can be short, so smart pros diversify their income streams.
References
^ https://handbook.metafy.gg/blog/how-much-do-esports-players-make (2024-04-10)
^ https://jkcp.com/professional-gamer-salary-esports/
^ https://www.esportsearnings.com/
^ https://esportsinsider.com/2023/04/how-do-esports-players-make-money
^ https://www.masterycoding.com/blog/how-esports-players-make-money
^ https://influencermarketinghub.com/top-10-esports-teams-earnings-and-salaries/ (2024-06-24)
^ https://www.aikenhouse.com/post/how-much-money-do-esports-players-make (2021-01-15)
^ https://www.statista.com/chart/13920/esports-games-by-aggregate-price-money/
^ https://www.esportsearnings.com/games
^ https://www.esportsearnings.com/players
^ https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=8321&context=etd
^ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379805100_Esports_for_development_Exploring_esports_player_profiles_and_their_development_and_well-being_outcomes
^ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21582440241249263
