The Most Popular Games in Esports: Complete List for 2024
The most popular esports games fall into several main categories, with each attracting millions of viewers and offering substantial prize pools. I'll break down the key games that dominate the competitive gaming landscape.
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) Games
League of Legends (LoL) and Dota 2 lead the MOBA category. These games feature team-based matches where players control unique characters to destroy the enemy's base. League of Legends consistently ranks as the most-watched esport, with its World Championship drawing massive audiences annually.
First-Person Shooters (FPS)
Counter-Strike (CS:GO and CS2), Valorant, and Overwatch 2 dominate the FPS scene. CS:GO remains the most established, featuring tactical 5v5 matches. Valorant has quickly gained popularity by combining tactical shooting with unique character abilities.
Battle Royale Games
Fortnite, PUBG, and Apex Legends represent the battle royale genre. These games pit multiple players or teams against each other in last-person-standing matches. Fortnite particularly stands out for its massive tournaments and prize pools.
Fighting Games
Street Fighter, Super Smash Bros., and Mortal Kombat form the core of competitive fighting games. These titles focus on one-on-one combat and require precise timing and extensive knowledge of move combinations.
Sports Games
FIFA (now EA Sports FC), NBA 2K, and Rocket League comprise the major sports-based esports. These games mirror traditional sports while offering unique competitive formats.
Mobile Esports
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG Mobile, and Clash Royale lead mobile esports. These games have particularly strong followings in Asia and offer accessible competitive gaming experiences.
Real-Time Strategy (RTS)
StarCraft II remains the flagship RTS esport, especially popular in South Korea. The game requires high strategic thinking and actions per minute (APM) to succeed.
Each of these games features professional leagues, regular tournaments, and established esports organizations competing for substantial prize pools. The esports scene constantly evolves, with new games emerging and others fading, but these represent the current core of competitive gaming.
New titles regularly join the esports ecosystem, but they must build a competitive community and prove their staying power to establish themselves alongside these established games.