TL;DR
N0tail made esports history with OG, masterminding Dota 2’s greatest underdog victories.
Bugha stunned the world at 16 by winning Fortnite’s World Cup Solo Finals and $3 million.
dupreeh broke records in CS:GO, becoming the first to surpass $2M in prize earnings.
HuaHai became the face of Honor of Kings with jaw-dropping stats and championship wins.
Faker, League of Legends’ living legend, built a brand and a legacy that redefined esports superstardom.
What Does It Take to Become the Richest Esports Player?
How does a teenager win millions overnight? What games hand out prizes bigger than the Super Bowl? Esports is no longer a fringe passion – it’s a global arena where skills, strategy, and sheer willpower can turn anyone into a millionaire.
Dota 2’s record-breaking prize pools. Mobile gaming’s unstoppable surge. And League of Legends’ legacy-making moments. The stories behind these players aren’t just about numbers – they’re about brilliance, resilience, and once-in-a-generation talent.
The 5 Highest-Paid Esports Players in History
Note: Dota 2 has a massive influence on this list due to its unique, community-funded prize model. To keep things fresh, we’re limiting Dota 2 to a single entry so we can shine a light on other esports giants.
1. Johan ‘N0tail’ Sundstein (Dota 2) – $7.18M
Once a 15-year-old Heroes of Newerth prodigy, N0tail went on to co-found OG and change the face of Dota 2 forever. His leadership turned a squad of underdogs into two-time The International champions in 2018 and 2019.
OG’s improbable victory run in 2018 followed by a dominant repeat win etched their name in esports history. N0tail wasn’t just a captain – he was the soul of a revolution in team play and drafting.
Today, he stands as the highest-paid esports player ever, with over $7 million in winnings, leading a team (JerAx, ana, Ceb, Topson) whose collective journey is legendary.
2. Kyle ‘Bugha’ Giersdorf (Fortnite) – $3.7M
In 2019, a quiet teen from Pennsylvania shocked the world. At just 16, Bugha stormed through the Fortnite World Cup Solo Finals, dominating with a performance so clean, his score nearly doubled the runner-up.
His $3 million payday became the largest single payout in esports history at the time, and he’s never looked back.
Today, Bugha is Fortnite’s face – with multiple Fortnite Champion Series wins, millions of followers, and a firm grip on the top spot for Fortnite earnings.
3. Peter ‘dupreeh’ Rasmussen (CS:GO) – $2.2M
A veteran of the CS:GO scene, dupreeh is synonymous with consistency and resilience. The only player to attend all 19 CS:GO Majors, he helped build Astralis into the most dominant team from 2017–2019.
Five-time Major champion, first to break $2 million in CS:GO prize money, and still winning titles at 29 – when most pros retire. Dupreeh’s journey proves that longevity in esports isn’t a myth – it’s a grind few can master.
4. Luo ‘HuaHai’ Siyuan (Honor of Kings) – $1.94M
When HuaHai debuted in 2019, he made headlines with a pentakill on Arli – right out the gate. That same year, he secured a World Champion Cup victory with eStar Gaming.
Since then, HuaHai has dominated the King Pro League, bagging three titles and his 3000th kill. In 2022, he led his team to a $3.5M win at the Honor of Kings International Championship, earning FMVP in the finals.
His consistency and dominance have helped catapult mobile esports to the global main stage.
5. Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok (League of Legends) – $1.8M
League of Legends without Faker is like basketball without Jordan. Since 2013, Faker has been LoL’s GOAT, claiming five World Championships and redefining what it means to be a mid laner.
His legendary Zed outplay vs. Ryu, his decade-long reign at T1, and his induction into the LoL Hall of Legends all point to a career far beyond prize money.
With ten LCK titles, brand deals, skin revenue, and a literal business complex named after him, Faker’s influence is cultural. His $1.8M in winnings is just the visible tip of a much larger empire.
Esports Prize Pools: Then and Now
Back in 2011, The International shocked the world with its $1 million prize pool. A decade later, Team Spirit’s $18M payday in 2021 from a $40M pool marked the high point of Dota 2’s crowdfunding magic.
But the tides have shifted.
In 2024, TI’s prize pool dipped to $2.7M. Big drop? Yes. End of esports? Far from it.
Now, we’re seeing sustainable models rise:
Riot’s structured leagues ensure regular income for players.
Mobile titles like Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile host tournaments rivaling PC counterparts.
The Esports World Cup 2024 featured a staggering $60M prize pool across 20+ titles.
Esports is no longer gambling on massive, once-a-year prize pools. It’s becoming an ecosystem – one built for the long haul.
The Future of Big Prize Money in Esports
The past ten years have been a whirlwind: from basement scrims to sold-out arenas, from thousands to millions in prize money. But the industry isn’t just chasing the next big check – it’s building a future.
Sponsorships, franchising, streaming, in-game revenue, and branded deals are the new engines. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming have made esports mainstream entertainment.
And while the multi-million dollar trophies may become rarer, that doesn’t mean the dream is dead – it’s just different. Careers now stretch beyond playing: analysts, coaches, marketers, team managers – all essential, all growing.
Conclusion
Esports has evolved – from grassroots tournaments to a global industry worth billions. These five players didn’t just win big; they shaped the story of competitive gaming.
Whether it’s N0tail’s fearless leadership, Bugha’s rise from obscurity, or Faker’s unshakable legacy, their stories prove one thing: esports isn’t just about winning – it’s about lasting.
As the industry matures, success will come from more than prize pools. The future belongs to those who adapt, innovate, and thrive in this ever-changing game.
FAQs
Who is the highest-paid esports player?
Johan ‘N0tail’ Sundstein still holds the crown with approximately $7.18 million in earnings from Dota 2.
Who has the most Fortnite earnings?
Kyle ‘Bugha’ Giersdorf leads Fortnite with about $3.73 million in total winnings as of January 2025.
Which esports game has the highest prize money?
Dota 2 still reigns supreme, surpassing $359 million awarded across nearly 2,000 tournaments, peaking with the $40M pool at The International 2021.
