It wasn’t that long ago that we were sitting in front of game consoles, engrossed in a different world and disconnected from reality. Then, along came the Internet and the rise of playing separately but together. In more recent years, though, the developments have been astronomical and have led to the rise of a huge sector of gamers and fans—online gaming tournaments or, as they’re commonly called, eSports. In this article, we’ll tell you all about these online gaming tournaments and how you can get involved. 

What are Online Gaming Tournaments?

The eSports market is booming. Figures show that between 2020 and 2025, the revenue almost doubled and is now worth around $1.9 billion worldwide.

Gaming tournaments are nothing new. The first video game tournament was held at Stanford University in 1972. This was a tournament playing a game called Spacewar. It was a simple game that was enjoyed by lots of university students. The tournament was small and there was an individual and team event. Nowadays, tournaments can be huge—and there’s even an eSports World Cup.

The evolution of tournaments has been slow but interesting. The early days were LAN parties. This would be where people gathered together and connected their consoles or computers with a local network (LAN). LAN parties were a staple of the 1990s when the Internet wasn’t as widespread. At this time, people were playing Counter-Strike, Quake, and StarCraft. The games involved required team dynamics and strategic thinking—much like the newer titles in eSports today.

The appeal of these parties was that players could share physical space and do what they loved in competition with one another. These parties paved the way for the unique dynamic of social gaming. 

In the early 2000s, the Internet’s evolution meant social gaming was possible without sharing physical spaces. Games also improved, and the likes of Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Halo 2 attracted huge numbers to multiplayer gaming. People began playing (and competing) with others from all around the globe.

These titles became massive—and so did their communities. In 2011, Twitch made things go to yet another level. This introduction meant players could livestream their gameplay. And, for the first time, there was a spectator culture in gaming. Gamers became influencers with heavy followings, and eSports took off. 

Popular Online Tournaments and Games

So, what are gamers playing, and where are they playing?

There are different genres involved in esports. These include FPS (first-person shooter), battle royale, MOBA (multiple online battle arena), and sports sims. They each cater to different interests and broaden eSports beyond their traditional boundaries. The most popular titles include

• Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

• Dota 2

• Dragon Ball FighterZ

• Fortnite

• League of Legends

Here are some of the biggest tournaments in 2025

• FIFA eWorld Cup—this was established in 2004
• Call of Duty League—an eSports league for the video game series Call of Duty, it has been going since 2020
• Fortnite Champion Series—this is the global championship for the game
• League of Legends European Championship (LEC)—the professional league for League of Legends, run by Riot Games
• Dota 2 (The International)—this takes place in Seattle each year and is organised by Valve Corporation 

In the UK, British eSports is the national eSports federation that delivers tournaments and inspires new gamers.

How to Get Started with eSports and Game Tournaments

Getting started with online game tournaments is simple—getting good and having a following, not so much!

Here’s how to get started

1. Understand the different aspects of eSports, from professional players to content streamers, and team management to event organisers
2. Find your area of interest; think about which games excite you the most
3. Get the gear—you’ll need a gaming PC or console, stable Internet, and a good headset
4. Build your skills—practice the game and learn the skills needed; if you are considering live streaming, work on your public speaking and video editing (online courses and tutorials can help you, and online communities can give you advice)
5. Join teams and online communities—Discord and Reddit are among the best as they have game-specific discussions 
6. Join in tournaments—getting started with online tournaments will give you a place to test your skills, try smaller online leagues and local competitions to gain confidence
7. Make sure you play responsibly—whether you’re playing eSports or following more traditional online iGaming options like online blackjack, askgamblers.com has lots of advice on how to do it responsibly. eSports and betting are closely linked (which is why they appear in sportsbooks) so it can be easy to fall into unhealthy gambling habits with online games. Being aware of this from the start is a great way to protect yourself. 

What are the Benefits of Competitive Gaming?

The press is often full of negativity towards screens and gaming, but there are actually plenty of benefits for gaming and eSports. According to the British eSports Association, video games can increase decision-making, perpetual skills, multitasking, and the speed of processing. They also promote teamwork, communication, leadership, confidence, and performance skills. 

If you’re a successful player, you can also tap into a huge pool of prize funds. The Dota 2 International prize pool is over $33 million, for example.

What Does the Future of eSports Look Like?

eSports is only likely to continue growing its infrastructure. This makes it great for casual and semi-professional players. Even though eSports is popular, it’s still an area in relative infancy. As such, we can expect accessibility to open up even further. 

Games-wise, things are also exciting. Emerging technologies like VR and AR, as well as AI-driven gaming, will likely change eSports too. Games will be even more realistic and social, so if you’re currently in high school, getting ahead of niche areas might be beneficial to get in on the scene earlier.

Now is the Perfect Time to Get Started 

Online gaming is accessible to all, and there are tournaments out there to suit any type of gamer. Right now is the perfect time to start—with new technologies launching all the time, it doesn’t matter if you’re a casual gamer or a future eSports star, there’s so much fun to be had. And it could be potentially lucrative too!