esports
US – Prize pool of 10 largest eSports tournaments in 2022 reached $150m
By Phil - 8 March 2023
The eSports industry continues to grow, with the top 10 eSports tournaments awarding over $150min prize money in 2022, signifying a substantial global interest in the gaming industry.
According to data acquired by Blockchain Centre, Dota 2 topped the chart with a prize pool of over $32.53m, followed by PUBG Mobile and Arena of Valor, with pools of $24.72m and $18.65m, respectively.
While Dota 2’s prize pool was lower than in 2021, the overall trend has been a steady increase in prize money, growing annually from $35.45min 2017 to $48.69m in 2021.
Most tournaments were dominated by PC and console games, but mobile games took the second and third spots. According to the research:
“It is noteworthy that the second and third places were occupied by mobile games, demonstrating the increasing popularity of mobile gaming in the competitive arena.”
The eSports industry faced multiple challenges in 2022 due to the pandemic, resulting in cancelled events and revenue losses. eSports professionals’ well-being and burnout were also significant concerns, with many calling for better regulations and support systems.
However, industry experts predict that the eSports market will continue to grow and expand, reaching $3.57bn by 2027, with a focus on player welfare and mental health.
As the industry evolves, it will be interesting to see which platforms and games rise to the top of the prize money leaderboard.
