eSports tournaments take video games to the next level — like a gamer version of an athletic championship. Professional players gather in a packed arena or stream online to massive audiences, going head-to-head for prize money and brand sponsorships.
The most popular eSports are first-person shooters (FPS), battle royales, and real-time strategy games. Players compete on teams or as individuals, using specialized tactics and high-level gameplay to win the competition. FPS blockbuster games such as Counter-Strike and Call of Duty are among the most popular, drawing millions of in-person and online spectators annually.
In a league-based structure, teams play in scheduled matches during the regular season. The top-performing teams advance to a playoff, where the stakes rise even higher as they vie for championship glory and global recognition. These events also feature standardized rules and regulations to ensure fair competition and consistent rankings.
Many of the top eSports players boast impressive résumés and are multi-millionaires. UND’s own Team CDL champions are among them, and the University recently became the first in the state to offer a Bachelor of Science degree focused on the growing industry of eSports.
The International is synonymous with grandeur in the eSports world, and its annual tournaments attract the top teams from around the globe to compete for massive prize pools and widespread recognition. Leading the way is a team called Fnatic, who have secured multiple world titles in both League of Legends and CSGO. Founded in 2004, the organization has a long history of success and boasts one of the largest player rosters on the scene.