Dota 2 Crowned King: Will Another Game Steal Its Throne?

Look Sports Media – Dota 2 reigns supreme as the most lucrative esports title in history, amassing a staggering $377.4 million in prize money distributed across its competitive scene, according to data compiled by Esports Charts. This figure is drawn from a total of $1.68 billion awarded across the entire esports landscape from over 62,000 tournaments.

The dominance of Dota 2 is further underscored by the fact that "The International," its flagship tournament, occupies the top seven spots for highest-paying esports events ever held. The 2021 edition of "The International" stands as a monumental example, boasting a record-breaking $40 million prize pool, with Team Spirit claiming a lion’s share of 45%.

However, the landscape is shifting. While Dota 2 maintains its overall lead, recent years have witnessed a decline in the prize pools for its premier events. The International 2025, won by Team Falcons, featured a significantly smaller prize pool of $2.8 million. This decrease is largely attributed to Valve’s strategic shift away from the Battle Pass system, which previously heavily funded the tournament, towards a new model emphasizing consistent, year-round content updates.

The financial success of Dota 2 has also propelled its players to the top of the esports earnings charts. Johan "n0tail" Sundstein leads the pack with over $7.18 million in career earnings. Meanwhile, Sasha "Scarlett" Hostyn, a StarCraft II competitor, holds the distinction of being the highest-earning female esports player with $472,000 in winnings.

Geographically, China leads the way in total esports winnings, with players from the region amassing $330.9 million. The United States follows closely behind with $299.6 million.

While Dota 2 may be the most profitable overall, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive boasts the largest number of players who have received tournament payouts, with 16,571 individuals having earned prize money in the game. Fortnite comes in second with 10,900 players, and Rocket League rounds out the top three with 9,100 players.

The decline in Dota 2’s prize pools, particularly for "The International," raises questions about its long-term dominance. As Valve explores new avenues for funding and content delivery, other esports titles may have an opportunity to close the gap and potentially challenge Dota 2’s reign as the most profitable esports title in the future.