The highest earning esports players for each major game
The esports industry is constantly evolving, with multiple top competitive titles. But who are the highest-earning esports players for every major game in 2026?
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the esports industry has seen one of the biggest booms in the last decade. Countless fans band together to root for their favorite teams and players whenever a major tournament comes around, prompting developers to invest more to keep things interesting.
Naturally, this increase in the budget also leads to higher potential earnings for professional players. From League of Legends to Valorant, here is every major game’s highest-earning competitive player.
The highest earning esports players: top 10
Knowing exactly how much money professional players have earned by being among the best in their chosen game is tough. Factors like sponsorship earnings and brand deals are largely unknown, especially since most players prefer to keep this information hidden.
However, it’s much easier when it comes to just tournament earnings. This list highlights the 10 highest esports earners across multiple professional games, with the figures that represent their earnings made through prizes.
#1 Johan “N0tail” Sundstein (Dota 2) – $7.2 million
Image credit: N0tail
N0tail is the highest-earning esports player of all time. His wins in Dota 2 are legendary, and it helps that Dota 2’s The International tournaments are known for having some of the most substantial prize pools in the scene. The player co-founded the professional team OG and led them to back-to-back victories at The International 2018 and The International 2019.
What sets N0tail apart from most other Dota 2 players is his gameplay approach. Instead of going for flashy plays that could help him stand out on the big stage, he takes a more team-first approach. As the leader his teammates rely on, he ensures he’s calm, calculated, and always ready to guide others.
#2 Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf (Fortnite) – $3.8 million
Bugha celebrates (image credit: AP)
While most names on this list climbed to the top through sheer determination and time, the same isn’t true for Bugha. This American Fortnite professional became a powerhouse name in the competitive Fortnite scene when he won the Fortnite World Cup 2019 at just 16 years old. The tournament alone earned him $3 million, making a large chunk of his total lifetime winnings.
He capitalized on the initial tournament win to build a name for himself as a streamer. He also competed in multiple large tournaments as part of Sentinels and later Dignitas, though he isn’t nearly as active as he used to be.
#3 Dan “apEX” Madesclaire (Counter-Strike) – $2.6 Million
apEX in action (image credit: BLAST)
Counter-Strike is one of the longest-lasting gaming franchises. Looking at Dota 2’s insane prize money, it makes sense that Valve would do something similar with Counter-Strike. apEX dethroned dupreeh to be the highest-earning CS player of all time, primarily thanks to his extremely aggressive playing style.
The professional player’s role as the in-game leader for Team Vitality propelled his popularity and influence even more. Winning the BLAST Paris Major 2023 has to be the highlight of his career, since it was the last Major before CS:GO transitioned to CS2.
#4 Sang Hyeok “Faker” Lee (League of Legends) – $2.1 Million
Faker concentrates during an event (image credit: Red Bull)
There’s an argument to be made that Faker is the most accomplished esports athlete of all time. With six League of Legends World Championships under his belt, his time with T1 has been as successful as it has been long. Given the title of “The Unkillable Demon King,” Faker even led T1 to win the first Esports World Cup.
His prize money may be lower than that of many other players on this list, but that doesn’t reflect his total net worth. The player benefits from multiple sponsorships and brand deals, even having an entire commercial building in Seoul. Considering his longevity and influence on the gaming scene, Faker deserves every cent he’s earned by playing League of Legends.
#5 Tyler “aBeZy” Pharris (Call of Duty) – $2 Million
aBeZy competes (image credit: @CODLeague)
aBeZy built his legacy with Atlanta FaZe, quickly becoming one of the most consistent players in the scene. In particular, his reaction time and strength in close-range fights made him a force to be reckoned with, especially since he used SMG weapons aggressively to seek out seemingly impossible frags.
The player’s biggest achievement has to be when he won the Call of Duty League Championship 2021. From the first-ever Esports World Cup to multiple Call of Duty League Majors, aBeZy led FaZe to multiple victories. While he plays with the Los Angeles Thieves now, his influence on Call of Duty esports is undeniable and he has earned considerable prize money over the years.
#6 Bocheng “paraboy” Zhu (PUBG) – $1.4 Million
Paraboy competing at an esports event (image credit: paraboy)
While PUBG isn’t too popular in the West anymore, it’s one of the most popular esports titles in Asia. While many players have made their names known because of this game, paraboy has walked away with the most money so far. The Chinese PUBG Mobile player made his name with Nova Esports and led the team to win multiple international events, such as the PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2020.
Paraboy’s ability to perform under pressure is extremely rare. His mechanical skills shine in high-stakes matches, ensuring his team can rely on him to always be consistent. He currently plays with JD Gaming, but his many MVP awards in 2020 and 2021 reflect his iconic prime.
#7 Evan “M0nkey M00n” Rogez (Rocket League) $1 Million
M0nkey M00n plays Rocket League (image credit: M0nkey M00n)
M0nkey M00n may have changed his team multiple times recently, but his time with Team BDS is still the highlight of his career. The player’s consistency and smart positioning made him a powerhouse in every Rocket League match he played, leading him to stay at the top for multiple seasons.
Despite the game’s rapidly changing meta, M0nkey M00n managed to make a long-lasting name for himself. From winning the RLCS World Championship 2022 to leading Team BDS to win the first Esports World Cup, it’s no surprise that M0nkey M00n is the highest-earning esports players for Rocket League.
#8 Loic “BriD” Chongthep (Rainbow Six Siege) – $850,000
Leading Rainbow Six Siege player Loic “BriD” Chongthep (image credit: Ubisoft)
While most players make a name for themselves by being the primary fraggers, that isn’t the case with BriD. Being one of the most respected supporting players in Rainbow Six Siege, the player has built a reputation for his consistency and for always putting the team above everything.
His time with Team BDS reflects his dedication to the game. Instead of just winning one major tournament and being done with it, BriD has become the highest-earning R6S player over the years. Since he’s still killing it with Team Falcons, it wouldn’t be surprising if he joins the $1 million club soon.
#9 Nam Joo “Striker” Kwon (Overwatch) $550,000
Striker during the peak of his career (image credit: Robert Paul)
The Overwatch competitive scene is constantly changing, just like the game’s meta. Because of this, it’s tough for one team or player to stay at the top for long. Striker rejected all of this to climb to the top of the Overwatch world. His aggressive DPS playing style made him a favorite among everyone.
Striker’s prime was definitely when he won the Overwatch League Grand Finals 2019 and Overwatch League Grand Finals 2020 back-to-back. While he’s inactive now, no one’s beating his Overwatch earnings anytime soon.
#10 Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov (Valorant) – $440,000
Valorant’s Chronicle (image credit: Colin Young-Wolff)
It may be one of the newest esports titles, but Valorant has become a major player in the competitive gaming scene. The game’s shifting meta means that the top teams and players are constantly changing. Still, Chronicle’s dedication and sheer talent have helped him become the highest-earning and one of the best Valorant players.
Despite jumping teams a lot, the player shines for being able to excel in any role. He can adapt to any team setup and was a major player in Fnatic’s extremely impressive 2025 run. Chronicle is still active and killing it on the big stage, suggesting he’ll continue pushing the ceiling for how much someone can make playing Valorant.
How do esports players make money?
There are several ways that the highest earning esports players make their fortunes. Firstly, substantial financial contributions from investors have led to staggering prize pools, offering players the chance to compete for millions of dollars. Major events like The International for Dota 2 and the League of Legends World Championship are prime examples of tournaments with massive prizes that significantly contribute to players’ earnings.
Esports players, particularly those at the top of their game, also attract a wide array of sponsorships and endorsements. Companies ranging from gaming manufacturers to energy drink brands to apparel companies recognize the massive global reach and influence of esports and their brightest stars. Their appeal to the younger generation also plays a role in attracting sponsors.
The rise of streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube has opened up even more avenues for esports players to monetize their skills and personalities. Top players can build dedicated fan bases through live streaming, engaging in interactive chats, and providing insightful commentary. These streaming platforms allow players to earn through ad revenue sharing, subscriptions, sponsorships, and donations from their viewers. Many players even create and sell their own lines of merchandise as part of a personal brand, which only increases their earning potential.
Hannan Mundia is a lifelong gamer. Don’t believe us? Just ask him. But don’t ask how many hours he’s spent playing. He’s been gaming since the age of three, and much of his live revolves around video games and the video game industry. Whether it’s a classic Legend of Zelda game from Nintendo, the newest Bethesda RPG, or something else entirely, you can bet that Hannan is ready and willing to play it.
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