“Who is the highest-earning player in the world of esports?” “Where do Japanese players rank?” Many of you may have such questions.

Esports has now grown into a massive entertainment industry that captivates hundreds of millions of people around the world. Top players earn hundreds of millions of yen, and major international tournaments can attract millions of simultaneous viewers.

This article provides detailed rankings of prize money by player, team, and game title, as well as viewer statistics.

If you want to know the current state of the esports industry or are aspiring to become a professional gamer, please refer to this as a resource.

【By Player】Esports Prize Money Ranking

The highest-earning players in esports have garnered prize money in the hundreds of millions of yen thanks to their performances in world tournaments. Let’s take a look at the profiles and winnings of top players from around the world and Japan.

World Ranking TOP 5

In the global esports prize money rankings, professional players of Dota 2 dominate the top spots. The massive prize pools from world tournaments significantly influence the total earnings.

Here are the top 5 players in the world ranking.

1st Place: Johan Sundstein ($7,184,163)

Johan Sundstein is a professional Dota 2 player from Denmark, known in-game as “N0tail”. His total earnings exceed $7.1 million, making him the highest earner in the world.

As the captain of OG, he achieved back-to-back victories at The International in 2018 and 2019, becoming one of the most successful players in esports history.

He inspires his teammates as the team’s spiritual leader, making precise decisions during matches to secure victories. Even after retiring, he continues to hold significant influence in the industry and is an idol for many young players.

2nd Place: Jesse Vainikka ($6,486,623)

Jesse Vainikka is a professional Dota 2 player from Finland, beloved by fans under the name “JerAx”.

His total earnings exceed $6.4 million, and he contributed to OG’s consecutive victories alongside Johan Sundstein.

As a specialist in the support position, he is recognized for his ability to change the flow of games with his innovative play style. He retired from professional play in 2020 but left a significant mark on the esports world.

3rd Place: Yaroslav Naidenov ($6,227,771)

Yaroslav Naidenov is a professional Dota 2 player from Russia, known in-game as “Miposhka”.

He recorded total earnings of $6.2 million. As a member of Team Spirit, he won “The International 2021” and “Esports World Cup 2025 [Dota 2]”, propelling him to the top of the world rankings.

His dedicated approach as a support player and calm judgment in tense situations are his trademarks.

4th Place: Anathan Pham ($6,024,411.96)

Anathan Pham is a professional Dota 2 player from Australia, known as “ana”.

He has earned over $6 million, playing a pivotal role in OG’s back-to-back victories at “The International” (2018/2019).

He burst onto the scene at a young age, known for his overwhelming performance in clutch situations. After retiring briefly, he made a comeback and continues to receive immense support from fans.

5th Place: Sébastien Debs ($5,949,442.73)

Sébastien Debs is a professional Dota 2 player from France, operating under the name “Ceb”.

He has reached a total of $5.9 million in earnings, contributing to OG’s consecutive victories at “The International” (2018/2019) as an offlane player.

Not only does he possess player skills, but he also has experience as a coach, deeply involved in developing team strategies. Using his wealth of experience and knowledge as a veteran player, he has led his team to victory.

Japan Ranking TOP 5

Japanese esports players are also making their mark globally, winning substantial prize money. Here are the profiles and achievements of the top 5 players in Japan, showcasing their progress.

1st Place: Kakeru ($1,455,614)

The top Japanese player is Kakeru, with total earnings of approximately $1,455,614, ranking 111th in the world.

Kakeru is a top player in the fighting game “Street Fighter”, having won the “Capcom Cup 11” held in 2025. The prize for winning was $1 million, propelling him to the top spot among Japanese players.

His calm game management and ability to read opponents’ psychology have led the public to regard him as “the next-generation ace”.

2nd Place: kakip ($1,228,551)

In second place is kakip (also known as かきp), with total earnings of approximately $1,228,551, placing him 155th in the world.

kakip is a top player in the digital card game “Shadowverse”, winning the “Shadowverse World Grand Prix 2021”. The winning prize for this tournament was about $1.23 million, the highest in Japanese esports history at the time.

He excels in strategic thinking, with the ability to instantly calculate probabilities and read opponents’ deck compositions.

3rd Place: feg ($1,003,000)

Third place goes to feg (known as ふぇぐ), with total earnings of approximately $1,003,000, ranking 204th worldwide.

feg is also a top player in “Shadowverse”, winning the “Shadowverse World Grand Prix 2018”. He etched his name in esports history as the first Japanese player to earn over 100 million yen in prize money.

His calm and collected playstyle, paired with mental fortitude in tense situations, is his strength. He has been active since the early days of Shadowverse and commands respect from younger players.

4th Place: Gachikun ($646,084.53)

Fourth place is Gachikun (known as ガチくん), with total earnings of about $646,084, ranked 404th globally.

He has participated in 38 tournaments, primarily competing in the Street Fighter series. His biggest achievement was winning the “Capcom Cup 2018” on December 16, 2018, where he earned $250,000.

Other notable achievements include 3rd place in “Capcom Cup X” on February 25, 2024, and tying for 3rd place in “Esports World Cup 2024 (SF6)” on August 11, 2024, with a prize of $75,000.

5th Place: Tokido ($613,805.68)

Fifth place goes to Tokido (known as ときど), with total earnings of about $613,805, ranking 434th worldwide.

He has competed in 111 tournaments across various fighting game titles. While his main activity has been in the Street Fighter series, he also has experience with over 20 titles, including Tekken and The King of Fighters.

His major achievement was winning the “ELEAGUE Street Fighter V Invitational 2018” on July 13, 2018, where he earned $150,000.

For those interested in a more detailed understanding of the fundamental mechanisms and history of esports, please refer to the article below.

>>What is esports? A clear explanation of its mechanisms, history, and popular genres

【By Team】Esports Prize Money Ranking

In esports, not only individual players earn prize money, but team totals are also of interest. Here, we will introduce the characteristics and earnings of the top three teams in the world, showcasing their strength.

1st Place: Team Liquid ($56,396,588)

Team Liquid reigns as the world leader with an astounding total prize money of approximately $56 million.

The strength of Team Liquid is evident from the following achievements.

• Victory at the “The International” Dota 2 world tournament (2017, 2024)
• A numerous number of titles won in the “Counter-Strike” series

Initially founded as a community of players for the strategic game “StarCraft”, the organization expanded following a merger with Team Curse in 2015. They have since established operations in North America, Europe, Brazil, and Asia.

2nd Place: OG ($38,773,813)

OG is a legendary team that achieved the first back-to-back victory in “The International” Dota 2 world tournament (2018, 2019). They have earned approximately $38.77 million, most of which was garnered from Dota 2.

One cannot discuss the history of OG without mentioning their miraculous victory in the 2018 world tournament. In the face of a critical situation with key players leaving, they rose from the lowest tier in the qualifiers to become world champions.

Furthermore, OG has successfully issued “fan tokens” (a type of digital merchandise) to strengthen their bond with fans, and they have attracted attention in the business world, receiving investment from the blockchain company Chiliz Group.

3rd Place: Team Spirit ($35,582,603)

Team Spirit holds the record for the highest single tournament prize money in esports history, winning approximately $18 million at one event, and is based in Serbia.

Team Spirit has made significant achievements in multiple genres.

• Two-time champion at the Dota 2 world tournament (2021, 2023)
• Victory in the “Counter-Strike 2” Shanghai Major 2024 and IEM Cologne 2025

After winning the world tournament in 2021, they joined the ranks of top teams and have continued to achieve results in major tournaments while frequently rotating their core players.

In 2025, they also made a move into the arena of intellectual warfare by contracting with a professional chess player, engaging in activities that break existing boundaries.

【By Game Title】Esports Prize Money Ranking

The scale of prize money in esports varies greatly by game title. Here, we introduce the top three games with the largest prize pools in the world, which can serve as a reference when selecting titles for entry.

1st Place: Dota 2 ($377,396,784)

Dota 2 stands at the top with a staggering total prize money of approximately $377 million.

The reasons Dota 2 generates such massive prize money are as follows.

• The International, the largest tournament held annually by developer Valve
• Utilization of a “crowdfunding” method (sales of in-game items purchased by fans contribute to the prize pool)

Dota 2 is a strategic game (MOBA) that aims to destroy the enemy’s base in a 5v5 format. It is a popular title, alongside “League of Legends,” but excels in prize money generation.

If you dream of striking it rich, this is a title you cannot bypass.

2nd Place: Fortnite ($202,892,108)

Fortnite has recorded a total prize money of approximately $202 million and boasts immense popularity in Japan as a battle royale game.

Fortnite features two major aspects:

• A battle royale format in which up to 100 players compete to be the last one standing
• A unique action aspect incorporating building elements

Since its release in 2017, it has surged in user numbers due to its availability across a wide range of platforms, including PC, PlayStation, and Switch. Originally developed as a cooperative play game, it has now transitioned to a main competitive scene centered around the battle royale mode.

With a broad age range of players and flashy actions that are appealing for streaming, it is a great opportunity for those looking to start their streaming careers.

3rd Place: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive ($162,757,246)

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) boasts a total prize money of around $162 million, establishing itself as a hallmark tactical shooting game (FPS).

Here are the reasons Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has remained beloved by players for so long.

• A simple yet profound gameplay where players are divided into terrorists and counter-terrorists
• Competitive balance refined through over 60 updates

While there were initial criticisms at launch, repeated adjustments have evolved it into a title that excites FPS fans worldwide. Particularly in Europe, teams from Sweden and others boast remarkable strength.

Since 2016, tournaments with prize pools of $1 million have been held regularly.

If you are curious about other esports game genres, please refer to the article below.

>>Comprehensive Overview of Esports Genres! An explanation of game titles and essential skills

【By Game Title】Esports Peak Viewership Ranking

Peak viewership is an important barometer that indicates the popularity of a game and the opportunities for streamers. Engaging with titles that attract a lot of attention can directly lead to viewer engagement for your streams.

Here, we present the top three esports titles that recorded enthusiastic simultaneous connections worldwide in 2025.

1st Place: League of Legends (Approx. 6.75 million)

League of Legends recorded an astounding peak viewership of approximately 6.75 million during the “2025 World Championship”.

Having dominated the MOBA genre since its release in 2009, the annual world tournament is one of the largest sporting events in terms of scale.

The benefit of being a streamer focused on League of Legends lies in its vast audience. Not only can you showcase your skills, but formats like “watch parties” where viewers watch professional matches together are also popular.

2nd Place: Mobile Legends (Approx. 4.13 million)

Mobile Legends is a mobile MOBA that has enjoyed immense popularity, recording approximately 4.13 million simultaneous viewers in 2025.

In an esports world dominated by PC games, this title’s accessibility through smartphones has sparked explosive popularity, particularly in Southeast Asia. The numbers from 2025 were driven by the professional league “MPL Indonesia Season 15” hosted in Indonesia. The fact that such numbers were achieved at a regional league rather than a world championship showcases the high level of enthusiasm.

For those looking to start streaming without spending much on equipment, Mobile Legends offers an ideal entry point.

3rd Place: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (Approx. 1.78 million)

The Counter-Strike series, a benchmark in FPS gaming, demonstrated enduring popularity in 2025, achieving approximately 1.78 million peak viewers.

Currently, the series has transitioned to Counter-Strike 2, yet the fervor of the competitive scene developed over the years is still present.

The “BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025” held in June 2025 featured thrilling matchups like The MongolZ versus Team Vitality, captivating many fans.

FPS has a significant following in Japan as well, but Counter-Strike is known as the global standard title. If you’re aiming for global streaming activities that include overseas viewers, this is a title you cannot overlook.

Conclusion

This article provided an updated overview of esports prize money rankings and viewership numbers. Here are the main points:

• Top worldwide player prize money ranking: N0tail with approximately $7.18 million
• Top Japanese player prize money ranking: Kakeru with approximately $1.45 million
• Top team prize money ranking: Team Liquid with approximately $56.39 million
• By game title, Dota 2 tops the charts with approximately $377.39 million
• Peak viewership in 2025: League of Legends with approximately 6.75 million viewers

The esports industry continues to grow each year, with prize amounts and viewership steadily increasing.

If you’re interested in information about the Tokyo Esports Festival 2026, please check the article below.

>>Tokyo Esports Festival 2026! Igniting enthusiasm with diverse programs