List of Esports Leagues and Tournaments

Esports competitions range from year-round regional leagues to major international events watched by millions of fans. Each game has its own competitive structure: some feature professional teams competing in seasonal leagues, while others center on open tournaments and championship events.

Below is a guide to notable esports leagues and tournaments across popular games. Event names, formats, and qualification rules can change from year to year, so check each organizer’s official channels for the latest schedule.

League of Legends

League of Legends has a regional league system that feeds into international competitions. Professional teams compete in regions such as Korea, China, Europe, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific, with league formats and branding that may vary by season.

• League of Legends World Championship (Worlds): The game’s premier annual international championship, featuring top teams from around the world.
• Mid-Season Invitational (MSI): An international event held during the competitive season, bringing together teams that qualify through their regional competitions.
• Regional leagues: Major leagues include the LCK in Korea, the LPL in China, and the LEC in Europe, along with competitions serving the Americas and other regions.

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2 features a busy calendar of independently organized events. Teams compete in invitationals, league seasons, and open or regional qualifiers, with Valve-sponsored Majors serving as the game’s top championship events.

• Counter-Strike Majors: Major international championships sponsored by Valve and organized by selected tournament operators.
• Intel Extreme Masters (IEM): A long-running series of international Counter-Strike tournaments organized by ESL.
• ESL Pro League: A recurring league competition featuring leading teams from the professional scene.
• BLAST tournaments: A series of high-profile events that brings together top Counter-Strike teams.
• PGL events: International tournaments organized by PGL, including events that have featured Major championships.

Valorant

Valorant’s professional scene is organized around the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT). Regional leagues provide a path for teams to compete internationally, while qualifying events and other competitions can offer additional opportunities to reach the top level.

• VCT regional leagues: The main leagues serve the Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China.
• VCT Masters: International events where qualified teams compete against leading opponents from other regions.
• Valorant Champions: The season-ending world championship and one of the biggest events in the game.
• Challengers: Regional competitions that give aspiring professional teams a route into the broader VCT ecosystem.

Dota 2

Dota 2’s competitive calendar includes major international tournaments run by a range of organizers. The game’s annual world championship is its signature event, while other tournaments offer teams additional chances to compete for titles and prize money.

• The International (TI): Dota 2’s flagship annual championship, featuring elite teams from around the world.
• ESL Pro Tour events: A series of competitions that has included tournaments such as DreamLeague.
• PGL tournaments: International Dota 2 events organized by PGL, with formats and schedules that vary by season.

Rocket League

Rocket League combines soccer-style gameplay with car-based competition. Its main competitive circuit is the Rocket League Championship Series, which includes regional events and international championships.

• Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS): The game’s primary competitive circuit, with regional competitions and qualification paths.
• RLCS Majors: International tournaments featuring teams that qualify through the season’s regional events.
• RLCS World Championship: The circuit’s top annual championship.

Overwatch 2

Overwatch esports has undergone changes in its league structure. The Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS) is a major part of the current competitive ecosystem, with regional competition and international events.

• Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS): A competitive circuit featuring regional events and opportunities to advance to larger international competitions.
• OWCS international events: Global competitions that bring together teams from multiple regions.

Rainbow Six Siege

Rainbow Six Siege esports includes regional leagues and international tournaments organized through the game’s competitive circuit. Teams compete throughout the season for qualification and championship opportunities.

• Six Invitational: The game’s premier annual world championship.
• BLAST R6 competitions: A series of regional and international events within the Rainbow Six esports calendar.
• Regional leagues and qualifiers: Competitions that help determine which teams advance to major events.

Fighting Game Tournaments

Fighting games often use an open tournament format, allowing players to enter events and compete through bracket play. Some circuits combine multiple tournaments, while others culminate in a standalone championship.

• Evolution Championship Series (EVO): One of the best-known fighting game tournaments, featuring competitions across several titles.
• Capcom Pro Tour and Capcom Cup: A competitive circuit and championship for the Street Fighter series. Event formats may change by season.
• Tekken World Tour: A global competition for the Tekken series, with events and qualification routes leading to its finals.
• SNK World Championship: A championship circuit for selected SNK fighting games, depending on the season.

Mobile Esports

Mobile esports has a large international audience, particularly in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Popular competitions include world championships and regional leagues for mobile battle royale and multiplayer games.

• PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC): A major international championship for PUBG Mobile.
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang World Championship (M Series): A global tournament for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, featuring teams from regional competitions.
• Free Fire World Series: An international championship for Free Fire, held according to the game’s competitive schedule.
• Honor of Kings tournaments: Regional and international competitions for the mobile multiplayer online battle arena game.

How Esports Leagues and Tournaments Differ

A league usually runs over a longer period and gives teams multiple matches across a season. Standings, points, or playoff results determine which teams advance. A tournament is typically a shorter event in which competitors play through a bracket or group stage to decide a champion.

Many esports circuits use both formats. Teams may compete in a regional league, qualify for a tournament, and then face opponents from other parts of the world. Open tournaments can also provide a path for rising players and teams to challenge established competitors.

Choosing an Event to Follow

To find an esports competition that fits your interests, start with a game you enjoy and look up its official competitive circuit. Check the event’s format, participating regions, broadcast times, and qualification rules. Tournament schedules can shift, so official game and organizer websites are the best sources for current details.

Whether you prefer team-based leagues, international championships, or open fighting game brackets, esports offers a wide range of competitions to watch throughout the year.

 

5 Essential Tips for Compiling an Up-to-Date List of Esports Leagues and Tournaments

1. Check official league websites for schedules.
2. Include both regional and global tournaments.
3. Note each event’s game and format.
4. Verify dates, venues, and prize pools.
5. Update the list as events are announced.

Check official league websites for schedules.

Check official league and tournament websites for the latest schedules, match times, and event updates. Dates can change, and official sources provide the most reliable information about broadcasts, formats, and qualifying rounds.

Include both regional and global tournaments.

Include both regional and global tournaments when exploring esports events. Regional competitions showcase local teams and rivalries, while global tournaments bring top players together from around the world. Following both gives fans a fuller picture of each game’s competitive scene and helps highlight how teams progress from regional qualifiers to international championships.

Note each event’s game and format.

When exploring a list of esports leagues and tournaments, note the game and format for each event. A league may feature regular-season matches and playoffs, while a tournament might use group stages, single elimination, or double elimination. Checking these details helps you find competitions for the games you enjoy and understand how teams qualify, advance, and compete for the title.

Verify dates, venues, and prize pools.

Before following or entering an esports league or tournament, verify its dates, venue, and prize pool through the organizer’s official website or social media channels. Schedules can change, events may be held online or in person, and advertised prize amounts can be subject to eligibility rules or updates. Checking the latest details helps players plan ahead and gives fans accurate information.

Update the list as events are announced.

Keep the list current by adding new leagues and tournaments as organizers announce them. Check official websites and social media for confirmed dates, formats, and qualification details, and update or remove outdated information so readers can rely on the list.