Counter-Strike tops prize money charts in 2025

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 23/12/2025

Counter-Strike 2’s esports scene distributed the most prize money in 2025, awarding over $32 million (approx £24m) in prize pool over the course of the year.

The data comes from Esports Charts, the esports event and viewership aggregating website, which compared prize pools from various esports over the year.

Counter-Strike prize money growth reflective of VRS changes

According to Esports Charts, the £32.27m prize pool represents a year-on-year growth of 41.5%.

That growth represents a fuller and more competitive calendar in 2025, following the introduction of VRS.

VRS (Valve Regional Standings) broke the partnership models that ESL and BLAST previously operated with.

As such, tournament operators had to rely on prize money and other amenities to attract organisations to attend their events, with prize money earned also being an important aspect of the VRS ranking system.

As such, BLAST, ESL, and new entry PGL have offered large prize pools, often in excess of $1 million.

The growth of new revenue-sharing models to replace partnership agreements, such as ESL’s Club Share, meant that money traditionally agreed upon behind closed doors is now part of the prize pool.

That means that the numbers don’t necessarily represent a growth in the overall money in the scene that the numbers may imply.

DotA 2 comes second in the charts, despite a relatively flat prize pool. Regardless, the DotA scene was supported by the inaugural BLAST Slam events, featuring $1m prize pools.

TI represented a $2,292,464 total prize pool, beaten by the Esports World Cup, which awarded $3m overall.

League of Legends comes in sixth, despite its high viewership. Regardless, the prize pool year-over-year rose sharply for the MOBA.

LoL prize pool rose 59.6% from 2024 to 2025, with MSI’s prize pool rising substantially from $250,000 to $2,000,000.

Worlds and EWC prize money also doubled, with First Stand also being introduced as a new $1m prize pool event.

Valorant also received a boost to prize money, growing 23.7% to $11.25m.

The tactical ability shooter debuted at the Esports World Cup in 2025, with Heretics winning $500,000 of the $1.25m prize pool.

Game Changers also received greater prize pool funding, as Valorant continues to grow its female scene.

Rocket League also saw an increase, driven by a much larger EWC prize pool combined with the introduction of the $1.2m 1v1 World Championship tournament.

As a result, Rocket League’s overall competitive prize pool grew 45% to $9.78m in 2025.

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports News UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.

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