Top 5 richest esports players of all time: From LoL to Fortnite

What does it take to become the highest-paid esports player in history? How does a 16-year-old win $3 million in a single tournament? And why do some games offer prizes bigger than the Super Bowl? The world of competitive gaming has created overnight millionaires, legendary rivalries, and jaw-dropping prize pools, but behind every record-breaking paycheck is a story of skill, teamwork, and relentless dedication. 

From Dota 2’s millions in crowdfunding to mobile games’ meteoric rise, esports has rewritten the rules of success. If you’ve ever wondered who the highest-paid esports players are, how they reached the top, and what the future holds for gaming’s biggest paydays, this is your guide to the top esports earners.

Before that, a quick disclaimer. Almost all of the top paid esports players are filled with Dota 2 players, thanks to its inflated prize pools relative to other esports. The back-to-back TI champions OG and two-time winners from Team Spirit take the top spot, followed by a long list of fellow Dota 2 players. 

The inflated prize pool for Dota 2’s annual tournament is due to crowdfunding from the compendium or its battle pass. For variety’s sake, we’ll only include the esport once to take a better look at the highest-paid esports players.

N0tail’s journey is the stuff of esports legend. Starting as a young prodigy in Heroes of Newerth, he shifted to Dota 2 and co-founded OG (formerly Monkey Business). Known for his unshakable positivity and innovative drafting, he led OG through one of the greatest underdog stories in esports: winning The International 2018 after barely qualifying, then repeating in 2019 with an even more dominant performance. 

Beyond trophies, N0tail’s legacy is his leadership, turning a group of misfits into champions and forever changing how Dota is played. N0tail and his championship team (JerAx, ana, Ceb, and Topson) remain the richest esports players in history, with his $7.18 million earnings setting the benchmark for the highest esports earnings.

At just 16, Kyle ‘Bugha’ Giersdorf shocked the world by winning the 2019 Fortnite World Cup Solo Finals, claiming the $3 million prize with a performance so aggressive his score nearly doubled the runner-up. The Pennsylvania teen had quietly worked for months, and he was the first to qualify for the tournament. After winning, he transformed into an overnight sensation. Bugha became Fortnite’s golden boy, an esport icon who was a media sensation.

Bugha continues to prove he isn’t a fluke, like winning the Fortnite Champion Series three times. With 4.7 million subscribers on YouTube and 5.5 million followers on Twitch, he is the richest Fortnite player and the face of Fortnite esports.

Dupreeh’s career defines CS:GO longevity and consistency. The Danish entry fragger and rifler began all the way back in 2012, grinding through early rejections before forming Astralis’ legendary core. Dupreeh, dev1ce, Xyp9x, gla1ve, Magisk, and coach zonic would go on to create one of esports’ most successful dynasties, setting records that no other team could ever match.

After Astralis’ era ended, he proved doubters wrong by winning another major with Vitality at 29 – an age many consider ‘old’ in esports. His achievements and earnings stand as a testament to staying at the top of your game for more than a decade.

HuaHai’s rise mirrors Honor of Kings’ explosive growth in China. He debuted in 2019 with eStar Gaming and immediately won the King Pro League. During his explosive KPL League debut, HuaHai scored a pentakill on Arli, making him the first player to do so.

That same year, HuaHai won the World Champion Cup with a prize pool of approximately $4.5 million.

But HuaHai wasn’t a one-hit wonder: his 2022 International Championship run, where his team won $3.5 million of the $10 million prize pool, made him one of the highest-paid esports players of all time. HuaHai was crowned as the FMVP for his stellar performance in the grand finals. He’s still going strong.

Faker’s name is synonymous with League of Legends. Discovered as a solo queue prodigy in 2013, he debuted with SKT T1 and immediately redefined the mid lane. His Zed outplay against Ryu became one of the most iconic clips in esports history, winning the reverse sweep, and the OGN Champions Korea 2013 Summer immediately made the play legendary.

Now part-owner of T1, Faker transcends gameplay, he’s a cultural icon. His $1.8 million in earnings only includes known prize pools. Riot Games sets minimum salary standards for professional players in its esports leagues. Add the revenue share from his nine in-game skins, brand deals, and investments like a literal business complex building named after him; he can comfortably retire anytime.

The first International took place in Cologne, Germany, way back in 2011. Valve’s inaugural tournament for Dota 2 featured a million-dollar prize pool, won by the Ukrainian team Na’Vi. Back then, that kind of money for one esports tournament was unheard of, and it helped set the commercial potential for years to come.

Fast forward to 2021, Team Spirit has won the biggest prize pool in The International, earning $18 million of the total $40 million. In the same year, more and more esports offered huge prize pools. The PUBG Global Championship offered $4.4 million, the Shadowverse World Grand Prix was $2.2 million, and the Honor of Kings World Champion Cup awarded approximately $7.6 million. Esports has bounced back from online tournaments and canceled events from the pandemic.

However, in 2024, The International’s prize pool went down to $2.7 million. While it’s still one of the highest-paying esports, the difference between its peak is a stark contrast. However, that doesn’t mean the bubble has popped; it shows a shift toward sustainability rather than volatility. 

The Esports World Cup 2024 had a prize pool of $60 million distributed throughout more than 20 games. Mobile esports like Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile now command prize pools rivaling PC titles, particularly in Asian markets where smartphone gaming dominates. Meanwhile, Riot Games’ partnership model provides a healthy ecosystem where pro players, partners, sponsors, teams, and leagues expect predictable income for long-term sustainability.

The future trend of esports prize money and the industry looks more profitable for everyone involved. Industry analysts believe the global esports market is in an upward trend, thanks to factors like sponsorships and the high viewership numbers from Twitch and YouTube Gaming. 

The lesson of the past decade is clear: esports isn’t abandoning big prizes but rather diversifying its revenue streams to ensure long-term viability. Competitive gaming has matured from a niche curiosity into a global entertainment industry, one where financial success is measured not just in tournament winnings but in lasting cultural impact and commercial infrastructure.

Esports has evolved from basement LAN parties to a billion-dollar industry. These fortunate players prove that esports is a viable career path, similar to pro athletes, where skilled players have the chance to win big. These top esports players show that the path to success isn’t just from one tournament but from consistency in winning.

Tournaments with huge prize pools are a spectacle that encourages more pro players to join their competitive scene. And with the esports industry moving towards sustainability and long-term growth, we’re going to see less of these career-defining earnings. That means now, more than ever, it’s a great time to get into esports. Even outside of being a pro player, there are new and specialized careers dedicated to fostering talent and managing organizations.