eSports
25 Most Successful Esports Countries by Prize Money so far in 2020
– United States leads the way winning $7.2m
– Brazilian players most in form this year
– Bulgarian and Danish players win the most prize money per person on average
– Only 60% of tournaments played compared to this time last year
New Unikrn research shows players are winning MORE on average so far in 2020 than 2019 – despite pandemic
Esports players from the top 25 countries are earning more average prize money in 2020 so far than at the same point in 2019, new research shows.
Despite a number of tournaments being cancelled, professional gaming is still thriving during a global pandemic.
So much that despite playing 40% less tournaments than at this point last year, players are earning more money on average per tournament.
World-leading esports bookmakers Unikrn have revealed the finding after analysing the top 25 countries for prize money so far this year.
By the end of June last year, $67million had been won by more than 26,000 players from 2,715 tournaments across the esports circuit.
Whereas by the same time this year, only $38.8m was won by almost 11,000 players in 1,622 tournaments.
The average tournament prize pool was very similar each year – in 2019 it sat at $23,988, compared to $23,920 in 2020.
However, in the first half of 2019, players were only winning on average $2,492 compared to individuals taking home $3,652 in 2020.
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The research also found that like last year the United States leads the way at the halfway point of 2020 with players winning a massive $7.2m in prize money.
Identical to the first six months of 2019, China and Korea make up the top three.
Brazil are the biggest movers in 2020 rising from 9th to 4th in the rankings helped by Magic World Championship XXVI champion PVDDR’s $300k victory.
The highest prize money to player ratio sits with Bulgaria, maybe surprisingly. Their top 5 players including Complexity’s poiz0n are spread across CS:GO, DOTA2 and League of Legends.
The Danish also have a high turnover on prize money with 173 players averaging $9,564.
In 2019, the prize money across esports increased heavily from huge tournaments such as DOTA2’s The International setting a prize pot of $35million and the Fortnite World Cup Finals.
But with both of these tournaments cancelled and many others postponed, total prize money for 2020 is estimated to be considerably lower than 2019.
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Most Successful Countries By Prize Money Won (All Esports)
| 2019 (Jan-July) | 2020 (Jan-July) | |||||||||
| Country | Total Prize Money | Players | Average prize money | Country | Total Prize Money | Players | Average prize money | |||
| 1 | United States | $10,079,707.15 | 5902 | $1,707.85 | 1 | United States | $7,280,222.31 | 1999 | $3,641.93 | |
| 2 | Korea | $5,438,336.48 | 1377 | $3,949.41 | 2 | China | $3,093,705.23 | 379 | $8,162.81 | |
| 3 | China | $4,876,979.55 | 1027 | $4,748.76 | 3 | Korea | $2,356,078.82 | 573 | $4,111.83 | |
| 4 | France | $2,290,981.17 | 1378 | $1,662.54 | 4 | Brazil | $2,284,006.59 | 420 | $5,438.11 | |
| 5 | Denmark | $2,234,162.91 | 652 | $3,426.63 | 5 | Russian Federation | $1,718,361.31 | 454 | $3,784.94 | |
| 6 | Russia | $2,179,829.93 | 855 | $2,549.51 | 6 | France | $1,703,512.13 | 441 | $3,862.84 | |
| 7 | Canada | $2,011,038.76 | 884 | $2,274.93 | 7 | Denmark | $1,654,614.71 | 173 | $9,564.25 | |
| 8 | Sweden | $1,933,771.15 | 712 | $2,715.97 | 8 | United Kingdom | $1,327,882.15 | 348 | $3,815.75 | |
| 9 | Brazil | $1,861,949.00 | 989 | $1,882.66 | 9 | Canada | $1,307,092.60 | 319 | $4,097.47 | |
| 10 | Germany | $1,824,623.63 | 1032 | $1,768.05 | 10 | Germany | $1,304,784.38 | 500 | $2,609.57 | |
| 11 | Finland | $1,672,037.47 | 405 | $4,128.49 | 11 | Sweden | $1,176,960.10 | 215 | $5,474.23 | |
| 12 | United Kingdom | $1,438,156.76 | 915 | $1,571.76 | 12 | Australia | $891,602.63 | 359 | $2,483.57 | |
| 13 | Australia | $1,278,719.22 | 838 | $1,525.92 | 13 | Thailand | $826,835.23 | 314 | $2,633.23 | |
| 14 | Poland | $1,158,065.87 | 624 | $1,855.87 | 14 | Finland | $792,457.03 | 96 | $8,254.76 | |
| 15 | Philippines | $1,106,753.39 | 200 | $5,533.77 | 15 | Poland | $596,336.18 | 221 | $2,698.35 | |
| 16 | Japan | $973,735.09 | 406 | $2,398.36 | 16 | Ukraine | $574,589.16 | 112 | $5,130.26 | |
| 17 | Thailand | $882,805.98 | 350 | $2,522.30 | 17 | Norway | $439,630.18 | 67 | $6,561.64 | |
| 18 | Bulgaria | $860,229.50 | 118 | $7,290.08 | 18 | Netherlands | $399,067.54 | 150 | $2,660.45 | |
| 19 | Norway | $714,775.28 | 225 | $3,176.78 | 19 | Japan | $325,085.28 | 223 | $1,457.78 | |
| 20 | Spain | $625,412.64 | 392 | $1,595.44 | 20 | Bulgaria | $310,401.72 | 24 | $12,933.41 | |
| 21 | Ukraine | $623,458.01 | 278 | $2,242.65 | 21 | Philippines | $290,771.52 | 71 | $4,095.37 | |
| 22 | Taiwan | $600,532.10 | 211 | $2,846.12 | 22 | Turkey | $281,767.76 | 128 | $2,201.31 | |
| 23 | Netherlands | $519,272.80 | 451 | $1,151.38 | 23 | Malaysia | $252,612.81 | 43 | $5,874.72 | |
| 24 | Italy | $490,560.54 | 137 | $3,580.73 | 24 | Argentina | $251,784.40 | 79 | $3,187.14 | |
| 25 | Malaysia | $463,826.66 | 175 | $2,650.44 | 25 | Estonia | $240,863.04 | 37 | $6,509.81 |
Total Prize Money, Tournaments and Players (All Esports)
| 2019 (Jan-July) | 2020 (Jan – July) | |||
| Total Prize Money | $66,992,940.50 | Total Prize Money | $38,798,059.63 | |
| Total Tournaments | 2715 | Total Tournaments | 1622 | |
| Total Players | 26141 | Total Players | 10625 | |
| Average tournament prize pool | $23,987.94 | Average tournament prize pool | $23,919.89 | |
| Average player prize money | $2,492.18 | Average player prize money | $3,651.58 |
Best Countries By Average Player Prize Money
| Country | Average prize money per player |
| Bulgaria | $12,933.41 |
| Denmark | $9,564.25 |
| Finland | $8,254.76 |
| China | $8,162.81 |
| Norway | $6,561.64 |
| Estonia | $6,509.81 |
| Malaysia | $5,874.72 |
| Sweden | $5,474.23 |
| Brazil | $5,438.11 |
| Ukraine | $5,130.26 |
**Stats from www.esportsearnings.com – does not include information about salaries, bonuses or sponsorships
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eSports
Esports World Cup Foundation Confirms Full Game Lineup, Schedule, and Club Championship Rules for EWC 2025
200 Clubs, 2,000 players, 25 tournaments across 24 games, and a $70M+ prize pool set the stage for the largest celebration of competitive excellence and esports fandom
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has finalized the full lineup of games, tournament schedule and Club Championship rules for the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC), the world’s largest esports event, set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 through August 24. This summer, over 2,000 elite players and 200 top Clubs from more than 100 countries will battle across 25 tournaments in 24 games, for a record-breaking $70+ million life-changing prize pool, the largest in esports history.
The Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Club Champion, while elevating esports as a global sport and driving long-term growth for the entire ecosystem.
The confirmed EWC 2025 game lineup will include iconic esports titles spanning fan-favorite shooters, battle royales, MOBAs, fighting games, and chess. New additions — CROSSFIRE, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, chess and VALORANT — join the prestigious lineup of returning titles, making this the most diverse and competitive EWC yet.
With the schedule locked, the stage is set for seven weeks of world-class competition. The initial wave of tickets are now on sale, and the countdown is on for the biggest celebration of esports, kicking off with the EWC Festival on July 7. Below is the schedule for each EWC tournament.
Week 1 (July 8–13):
VALORANT featured at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 8-13), Apex Legends at 2025 Esports World Cup 10–13), FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 10–12), Rennsport at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 8–11), Dota 2 at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 1 (July 8-13)
Week 2 (July 15–20):
League of Legends featured at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 16–20), Free Fire at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 16–20), Dota 2 at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 2 (July 17–19), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 15–19), Honor of Kings World Cup at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 1 (July 15–20)
Week 3 (July 22–27):
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 24–27), PUBG MOBILE World Cup at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 1 (July 25-27), Honor of Kings World Cup at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 2 (July 23-26), StarCraft II at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 22–25), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 1 (July 23–27)
Week 4 (July 29–August 3):
Overwatch Champions Series: MidSeason Championship at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 31–August 3), PUBG MOBILE World Cup at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 2 (July 29-30 / August 1–3), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 2 (July 30–August 2), Chess at EWC 25 (July 29–August 1)
Week 5 (August 7–10):
EA SPORTS FC 25 at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 7–10), Call of Duty: Warzone at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 6–9), TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW SIX SIEGE X at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 7–9)
Week 6 (August 11–17):
Rocket League featured at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 14–17), PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 12–16), TEKKEN 8 at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 13–16), Teamfight Tactics featured at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 14–15)
Week 7 (August 19–24):
Counter-Strike 2 at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 21–24), Street Fighter 6 at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 20–23), CROSSFIRE at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 19–23)
EWC 2025 will unfold across four dedicated arenas, each spotlighting one game at a time to deliver the best fan experience. Select titles will host Last Chance Qualifiers in the Festival zone — giving players one final shot at advancing to the main stage.
The Esports World Cup has introduced a refined tournament schedule to enhance viewership across its expanded lineup. Finals will now take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays – reducing overlap and ensuring dedicated coverage for each title. Tickets for EWC 2025 are now available to purchase at esportsworldcup.com.
The total $70+ million prize pool is allocated across the Club Championship, Game Championships, MVP Awards, and EWC Qualifiers. Out of this, $27 million is dedicated to the EWC Club Championship — an innovative cross-game format that rewards the top 16 Clubs for their performance across multiple titles, with $7 million reserved for the 2025 champion. Game Championships will feature their own prize pools, totaling over $38 million combined, while standout players will compete for a share of the $450,000 MVP Award pool.
Open to all participating organizations, the Club Championship awards points for top-eight finishes across tournaments. To claim the title, Clubs must secure at least two top-eight placements and win at least one tournament. New for 2025, joint ventures — collaborations between two distinct organizations on a specific roster — will be ineligible for points, with Clubs required to compete under one aligned name throughout the EWC to qualify. The Club that shows both consistency and competitive excellence across the entire EWC calendar, will be crowned the Esports World Cup Club Champion at the EWC 2025 closing ceremony on August 24, 2025.
At EWC 2024, Team Falcons dominated with 5,665 points and three tournament wins to claim the $7 million Club Championship. Team Liquid and Team BDS followed in second and third, with 2,545 and 2,000 points respectively. The top 10 also featured some of the biggest names in global esports: Gaimin Gladiators, T1, Virtus.pro, Team Vitality, Twisted Minds, Gen.G, and LOUD — all delivering standout performances across multiple titles, setting the stage for EWC 2025.
The post Esports World Cup Foundation Confirms Full Game Lineup, Schedule, and Club Championship Rules for EWC 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
BETBY LAUNCHES INDUSTRY-FIRST ESPORTS BETTING TIPS, ENHANCING WIDEST SPORTS COVERAGE IN THE MARKET
BETBY, a leading provider of innovative sportsbook solutions, has announced a major update to its Betting Tips feature, introducing insights for esports. This industry-first addition positions BETBY as the supplier with the widest betting tips coverage in the iGaming market, enhancing the player experience by delivering data-driven tips that help bettors make more informed and confident decisions.
Part of BETBY’s award-winning AI Labs suite of tools, Betting Tips will provide insights derived from the latest news, key team and player statistics, and other relevant information for popular titles such as Counter-Strike. Betting Tips will cover all major esports tournaments for supported titles, based on betting volume and regardless of the event tier, ensuring comprehensive industry-wide coverage.
In addition to expanding into esports, Betting Tips now delivers significantly improved tip quality. Around 99% of all tips now include a relevant supporting fact or statistic, resulting in clearer, more actionable insights. These enhancements contribute to a more engaging and valuable experience for both operators and bettors.
The integration of esports into Betting Tips reflects BETBY’s commitment to innovation and adaptability in the rapidly evolving betting landscape. The introduction of esports betting tips is also expected to drive higher conversion rates, providing operators with a valuable tool to engage esports enthusiasts more effectively.
To maximize accessibility, Betting Tips will be available in 25 languages: English, Portuguese (Brazilian and European), Spanish, Turkish, Russian, German, Japanese, French, Italian, Kazakh, Azerbaijani, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Estonian, Finnish, Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Latvian, Polish, Romanian, and Georgian. This multilingual support ensures a seamless experience for operators and bettors worldwide.
“Integrating esports into our Betting Tips marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide comprehensive and innovative solutions to our clients,” said Danil Emelyanov, Head of BETBY’s AI Labs. “As the esports industry continues to grow worldwide, we recognize the importance of offering tailored insights that cater to this dynamic market. This expansion not only reinforces our commitment to innovation but also solidifies our position as a leader in the sports betting sector.
In addition to expanding into esports, Betting Tips continues to offer intelligent insights across a wide range of traditional sports, including Soccer, Ice Hockey, Basketball, Tennis, Cricket, American Football, Handball, Volleyball, Baseball, and Table Tennis. This ensures that operators can engage bettors across all major sports verticals.
The post BETBY LAUNCHES INDUSTRY-FIRST ESPORTS BETTING TIPS, ENHANCING WIDEST SPORTS COVERAGE IN THE MARKET appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Best Esports Product award
BETBY SHINES AT SiGMA AMERICAS WITH LOCALISED STRATEGY AND WINS ESPORTS AWARD
BETBY, the cutting-edge sportsbook provider, has further cemented its position as one of the most innovative suppliers in the sports betting landscape following a standout appearance at SiGMA Americas, the leading event for the iGaming industry in Latin America.
Hosted in São Paulo, Brazil, SiGMA Americas brought together the industry’s most influential stakeholders, with a spotlight on the dynamic and fast-growing Latin American market. BETBY stood out at the event by showcasing the full strength of its flexible sportsbook solution, designed to empower operators with complete control over the betting experience.
A major highlight of the exhibition was BETBY’s showcase of its hyper-localised content capabilities, which empower operators to engage regional audiences with culturally relevant offerings. This strategic focus was exemplified by the industry’s most comprehensive Vaquejada betting solution, a rodeo-style sport particularly popular in northeast Brazil. BETBY’s unique content portfolio, which includes both pre-live markets and an immersive e-sim version of the sport, resonated strongly with operators and attendees. It demonstrated not only a deep understanding of regional preferences, but also the supplier’s ability to create tailored content for any market.
Alongside this, BETBY exhibited continued innovation through its proprietary esports feed BETBY Games, and its comprehensive suite of AI tools AI Labs, which leverages artificial intelligence to deliver personalisation, real-time recommendations, and enhanced operational efficiency.
As further recognition of its ongoing innovation in the iGaming industry, BETBY was honoured with the Best Esports Product award during the SiGMA Americas Awards ceremony. This win underscores BETBY’s vision to redefine the esports betting experience through its BETBY Games solution, which is designed to deliver unmatched flexibility, customisation, and engagement for operators and players.
“This recognition at SiGMA Americas is a proud milestone for our entire team, even though our presence in Brazil this week was about much more than awards,” said Leonid Pertsovskiy, BETBY’s Chief Executive Officer. “It was about connecting with the region, understanding what local players truly value, and showing that we have the technology and vision to meet those needs. We’re building products that scale globally but connect locally, and that’s what sets BETBY apart.”
The post BETBY SHINES AT SiGMA AMERICAS WITH LOCALISED STRATEGY AND WINS ESPORTS AWARD appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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