TL;DR
- The League of Legends professional calendar contains occasions all over the world, with the Worlds going down in October-November and that includes the perfect groups from all areas.
- Distinguished groups embody T1, EDward Gaming, G2 Esports, and MAD Lions.
- Prime gamers can earn as much as $500,000 as a base wage, with event winnings, sponsorship, and different income streams supplementing this.
- Dota 2 has the best common prize cash for The Worldwide, however the League of Legends Worlds can have $5 million up for grabs.
Like several sportsperson, esports gamers do extra than simply play to win, they play to earn a dwelling. In League of Legends (LoL), the hefty prize swimming pools could be transformative for its gamers. Previously decade, these prize swimming pools have grown exponentially as many tournaments have risen in recognition. It isn’t unusual to see seven-figure prize swimming pools up for grabs, however tournaments aren’t the one issue contributing to the mouth-watering earnings some esports gamers make.
Sponsorships and merchandise additionally issue into LoL esports gamers earnings, serving to present a comparatively steady earnings, though this may solely be sustained as long as they carry out. Annual occasions just like the regional leagues hold these gamers within the highlight all through a season, however no mild shines brighter than the League of Legends World Championship, drawing the perfect gamers and groups from all over the world.
Whereas 2024 LoL Worlds already had a mighty $2.25 million prize pool, 2025 has doubled that quantity to an immense $5 million in prize cash. There’s loads of money within the LoL esports scene, and we’re going to interrupt down how a lot its gamers earn, in addition to have a look at the prize cash accessible in different centralised and open esports tournaments.
How a lot do LoL gamers make?
The estimated earnings of esports gamers range extensively because of a number of elements — it’s not nearly prize cash. These embody:
| Earnings (estimates) | Prime gamers – world champions, high-tier execs | lower-tier, or improvement leagues |
|---|---|---|
| Base wage (crew wage) | $100,000 – $500,000+ per 12 months (for high gamers on outstanding groups like T1, G2, and so forth.) | $25,000 – $75,000 per 12 months (relying on area and crew) |
| Event winnings | $50,000 – $500,000+ per occasion (primarily based on efficiency, e.g., Worlds) | $10,000 – $50,000 per 12 months (relying on area and event efficiency) |
| Sponsorship and crew income share | $100,000 – $500,000+ from crew and particular person sponsorship offers | $5,000 – $50,000 per 12 months (lesser-known sponsorship offers) |
| Streaming (Twitch, YouTube, and so forth.) | $50,000 – $500,000+ yearly (from subs, adverts, donations, and sponsorships) | $2,000 – $20,000 yearly (smaller streams or extra restricted presence) |
| Content material creation/YouTube | $50,000 – $200,000+ per 12 months (because of excessive views, sponsored content material, or collaborations) | $1,000 – $10,000 per 12 months (in the event that they create content material commonly) |
| Model sponsorships/influencer offers | $50,000 – $250,000+ per 12 months (for high-tier gamers with giant social media followings) | $1,000 – $20,000 per 12 months (for lesser-known gamers) |
| Merchandising (crew/private) | $10,000 – $100,000+ per 12 months (income share from private/crew merchandise gross sales) | $500 – $5,000 per 12 months (decrease gross sales or less-established model) |
| Different (appearances, teaching, and so forth.) | $20,000 – $100,000+ per 12 months (for appearances, teaching, or particular occasions) | $1,000 – $10,000 per 12 months (from teaching or uncommon appearances) |
How does this examine to different video games?
Totally different video games in esports can provide various prize swimming pools. That is depending on a number of elements, corresponding to the scale of the occasion, the sponsorships, merchandise, the recognition of the sport, and way more.
In 2025, the most well-liked esports video games have the next prize cash at their respective occasions:
| Recreation | Main event(s) | Common prize cash | Highest recorded prize cash |
|---|---|---|---|
| League of Legends (LoL) | World Championship (Worlds) | $3 million – $5 million | $5 million (2025) |
| Dota 2 | The Worldwide (TI) | $30 million – $40 million | $40 million (TI 2021) |
| Counter-Strike 2 | CS2 Main Championships | $1 million – $2 million | $2 million (a number of occasions) |
| Fortnite | Fortnite World Cup | $10 million – $40 million | $30 million (2024) |
| Valorant | Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) | $1 million – $3 million | $2.2 million (VCT 2024) |
| Overwatch | Overwatch Champions Sequence | $2 million – $3 million | $2.2 million (OCS 2024) |
| Rocket League | Rocket League Championship Sequence (RLCS) | $3 million – $5 million | $5 million (RLCS 2024) |
Regardless of League of Legends being extensively regarded as the most well-liked esport in 2025, Valve’s Dota 2 has constantly provided the best prize swimming pools. The 2021 version of The Worldwide provided a surprising $40,000,000 prize pool, one thing not even Fortnite and all its affect might match.
Nonetheless, LoL esports gamers’ earnings are excessive because the tournaments constantly provide vital prize cash regardless. This is because of a number of income streams, corresponding to sponsorships and unique broadcasting rights for streamers and TV networks to showcase the championships all over the world.
In the end, there’s numerous cash to be made in any of the most well-liked esports video games in 2025, however if you wish to attempt to make as a lot as you may, it received’t be in LoL.
What does the aggressive LoL scene appear like?
In relation to the League of Legends aggressive scene in esports, there are many tournaments held yearly that gamers and viewers participate in. These embody:
| LOL occasion | Description | Frequency | Key dates (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LTA North/South (Americas) | The League of Legends Championship of The Americas (LTA) was shaped forward of the 2025 season, appearing because the Americas unified professional League of Legends league. | Spring & Summer time seasons | Jan 2025 – Aug 2025 (Spring) |
| LEC (Europe) | Europe’s premier regional league, with Spring and Summer time Splits. | Spring & Summer time seasons | Jan 2025 – Aug 2025 (Spring) |
| LCK (Korea) | South Korea’s high regional league, with Spring and Summer time Splits. | Spring & Summer time seasons | Jan 2025 – Apr 2025 (Spring) |
| LPL (China) | China’s regional league, with Spring and Summer time Splits. | Spring & Summer time seasons | Jan 2025 – Apr 2025 (Spring) |
| LCP (Pacific) | The regional league for Southeast Asia (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, and Southeast Asia). | Spring & Summer time seasons | Jan 2025 – Apr 2025 (Spring) |
| MSI (Mid-Season Invitational) | A global event that includes the perfect groups from every area, following Spring Splits. | Yearly | Could 2025 |
| World Championship (Worlds) | The most important LoL occasion of the 12 months, that includes the perfect groups from all areas. | Yearly | Oct-Nov 2025 |
| Regional Finals | Regional tournaments that decide qualification for Worlds (in some areas). | Yearly | Aug 2025 (varies by area) |
| Demacia Cup (China) | A significant low season occasion in China with a mixture of high groups and new expertise. | Yearly | Dec 2025 |
| LoL tier-two (ERLs, LEC, NACL and so forth.) | Tier beneath the primary leagues, typically that includes up-and-coming gamers and groups. | Ongoing | All 12 months spherical |
Key esports groups and gamers
There are a number of gamers and groups in LoL that usher in numerous viewers and followers to a number of esports tournaments all over the world.
Groups
A number of groups have established themselves within the aggressive panorama, corresponding to T1, recognized for dominating championships like Worlds and LCK, particularly with Faker main the group. EDward Gaming and G2 Esports are additionally among the most influential groups for LoL, constantly bringing in excessive viewership at a number of tournaments.
Gamers
League of Legends is understood for harbouring a number of influential gamers, corresponding to Faker, who continues to be considered one among its greatest gamers of all time. ShowMaker and Canyon from DAMWON KIA have additionally impacted a number of matches with their skills and showmanship. Caps of G2 Esports can be well-known for his respectful management, bringing the crew to a number of wins over time.
Established execs
Established execs, specifically Faker and Uzi, are recognized for shaping how LoL turned the esports phenom it’s immediately, now with occasions throughout the globe. ShowMaker and Canyon entice thousands and thousands of viewers on Twitch, whereas Faker, a three-time Worlds champion, has earned nearly $2,000,000 in prize cash alone, in response to Esports Charts.
Rising gamers
With any recreation within the esports scene, there’ll all the time be rising gamers who’re making their mark within the trade. Mun “Oner“ Hyeon-ju is a superb instance, having been primarily answerable for taking the T1 crew to a number of wins in earlier years, such because the LCK Cup in March 2025. One other is Juice, a part of Royal Membership, who joined the primary roster in December 2024. He’s already making an impression with some notable wins in current matches, corresponding to within the League of Legends Improvement League (LDL) Cut up in February 2025.
Conclusion
As with all sport, a League of Legends gamers wage isn’t solely about incomes prize cash as soon as an occasion ends. Sponsorship and merchandise assist bump up their salaries too and are a substantial consider driving income for established gamers and groups.
Esports has been rising 12 months on 12 months, with 2025’s development through the enlargement of cell video games, new titles popping up at occasions, and a complete host of different elements (corresponding to Arcane’s recognition), there appears to be potential for earnings to extend.
These elements are why esports gamers of all titles, not simply League of Legends professional gamers see alternative within the trade. Whereas LoL Worlds is doubling its prize pool for 2025, the over $300,000 earned by gamers Duke and Bang may appear to be a paltry sum in years to come back.
FAQs
How a lot do League of Legends (LoL) esports gamers make?
LoL esports gamers could make between $25,000 and $300,000 every year, primarily from prize cash, sponsorships, and merch, like in-game cosmetics.
Who’re the highest-paid League of Legends gamers?
The best-paid League of Legends gamers are Faker, Duke, and Bang, who’re paid round $300,000.
Who’s the richest League of Legends participant?
Faker is the richest League of Legends participant, having received nearly $2 million thus far, and his extra incomes probably bolster his earnings thousands and thousands extra.
