The end of the 20th century was just a period when cybersport was trying to see the light while the beginning of the 21st century brought a boom of the industry. Hundreds of teenagers are competing with each other, and millions of guys are watching the competition on TV or streaming platforms. The industry that generates millions of dollars annually and world fame for winners is rich in events, so does the second half of 2020. Look at the most anticipated ones.
VSFighting: Dates (21–23 Aug 2020)
This event is dedicated to video game fans from the whole world. This paradise for gamers usually takes place in Great Britain was arranged for the first time ten years ago. To get here gamers don’t need to have titles or some background, it’s totally open. Competition of VSFighting is a rivalry of several gamers fighting in different fighting games, for example, Super Street Fighter II X.
Evolution Championship Series: Dates (20 Jul–2 Aug 2020)
Reunion of great fighting games such as Tekken, Mortal Combat and Street Fighter offers hundreds of guys who enjoy these games opportunity to compete with the best players of the planet. The champion will get a serious cash prize. The Evolution Championship Series had to happen in Mandalay Bay resort that meant the luxury atmosphere of digital blood and sweat but the pandemic turned the format of the event into online.
The International
The International will be arranged by Valve corporation that developed masterpieces like Counter-Strike and Half-Life and seems to be the best event of the corporation ever. Event held in Stockholm will be a contest of Chinese, American, and European qualified players with competitors from other countries. The prize money is planned to be more than $30 million against $25 million last year. The event is postponed due to Covid-19 and probably will be moved to 2021.
Overwatch League: Dates (8 Feb–9 Aug 2020)
This cybersport competition is a part of the PR policy of Overwatch which became extremely popular last year. This game appeared to be one of the most financially secured, as well as the tournament itself. An estimated prize of $5 million sounds serious enough. The best Overwatch teams of the world will be fighting for the prize until August. Though pandemic influenced the league it is going on.
League of Legends World Championship: Dates (13 Jan–Sep 2020)
League of Legends world championship is known as a cybersport tournament with one of the largest audiences. Two years ago, a number of spectators of the final games counted almost 100 million. Such a big audience caused a proposal to include cybersport in the list of Olympics 2024 sports. Prize money is also large and impressive – $1 million.
International eSports Federation World Championships: Dates (11–15 Dec 2020)
The International eSports Federation is an attempt to make cybersport more famous and be included in the sports community. Usually, the World Championship takes place in Asian countries, so does this year in the capital of South Korea, Seoul. 54 nations are united in the federation, so the prize fund money is also immense, $2,7 million.
Capcom Cup: Dates (25 Apr–12 Jul 2020)
This cup has a wide press coverage. Participants fight in such cult games as Tekken, Street Fighter, etc. EVO Championship and other famous championships are qualifiers for Capcom Cup.
