Competitive gaming has evolved considerably over the past couple of decades. In the 1990s, LAN events allowed video game enthusiasts to come together for multiplayer competitions. As PC game technology and internet connectivity improved during the 90s, online multiplayer competition finally became a reality. However, it wouldn’t be until the new millennium that international esports with mass appeal entered the fray. Today, there are thousands of global tournaments, annual events, and regional contests.
While live attendance was used to be the only way to follow the action, online streaming platforms, and broadcasts have led to more than more than 530 million people tuning in to see their favorite esports teams in action. Whether you’re a new convert to competitive gaming or are an established esports fan, keeping on top of the yearly tournament circuit can be challenging. Below, we break down what tournaments you can expect during each month of the year.
January to March
Looking for something to distract you from those post-holiday blues? Come January, you’ll find plenty of esports events to keep you entertained. The Spring Groups stage of the BLAST Premier is essential viewing for anyone who loves Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The Intel Extreme Masters, one of the longest-running esports tournaments on the planet, also gets underway.
January is a busy month for League of Legends. You can look forward to season kickoffs for both the League Championship Series (LCS) and League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK). The League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) playing season recently saw a third split added to the schedule, with the LEC Winter Split now taking place during the last two weeks of January. Before the month comes to a close, the spring splits of the LCK and the Chinese League of Legends Pro League (LPL) get underway.
In February, Fortnite fans can look forward to the first major of the FNCS, with winners securing a spot in the Global Championship. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive enthusiasts also have the latest season of the ESL Pro League to look forward to.
Come March, the LEC Spring tournament season is in full swing. Valorant also enjoys plenty of coverage during this time, including the Grand Finals of the FNCS Major 1. The Valorant Champions Tour also starts taking shape during March, with offline Pacific League and EMEA League tournaments.
April to June
April is a fairly quiet month for esports. There are further editions of the Intel Extreme Masters for Globa, Offensive fans, while Dota 2 devotees can look
forward to the ESL One Majors and the start of the latest ESL DreamLeague playing season.
In May, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive teams get their time in the spotlight with new editions of the Intel Extreme Masters and BLAST.tv Majors. The first Fortnite FNCS Major 2 events also get underway.
The Mid-Seasonal Invitational (MSI), is an annual League of Legends tournament that brings together teams from across the planet, with the event regularly bringing in millions of online viewers. As May draws to a close, the LPL Summer Season also starts up.
June is one of the most hectic months for competitive gaming. The Spring Final of the BLAST Premier is essential viewing for CSGO fans. Meanwhile, Fortnite is thrown into focus with several DreamHack events, including several heats.
League of Legends also takes center stage. The Summer Seasons of the LCK, LCS, and LEC are all well underway by the third week of the month. Need help keeping on top of all those match fixtures? Plan your viewing by checking out the latest 1337Pro LCK schedule.
July to September
Esports coverage is dialed back slightly at the start of July. The Fall Groups stage of the BLAST Premier makes essential viewing for Global Offensive fans, while Fortnite lovers have the FNCS Majore 3 to look forward to.
In August, there’s even more CSGO coverage to enjoy, with the ESL Pro League being one of the most popular events. The International also stirs into action, with this annual Dota 2 tournament assembling the best teams on the planet during its regional qualifier stages.
In Europe, the FNCS Major 3 Grand Finals provide memorable viewing for Fortnite audiences. There’s also the culmination of the LEC Season, bringing together some of the best LoL teams in the Western hemisphere.
Looking to spice up your viewing schedule with some Dota 2 action? There’s more DreamLeague coverage to enjoy before September’s over. VALORANT Champions is another unmissable event for anyone keen to see elite-level teams do battle.
October to December
The nights might be drawing in, but there’s plenty of esports coverage to enjoy before the year comes to a close. October is packed with premium CSGO tournaments. There’s the latest edition of the Intel Extreme Masters, as well as the Roobet Cup, an S-Tier Counter-Strike 2 online tournament that brings together 16 of the best teams in the world. There’s also the online-only Thunderpick World Championship.
Come October, the stage is also set for one of the most anticipated esports events in the annual calendar. The International finally draws to a close, with victorious Dota 2 teams walking away with a slice of one of the biggest prize pools around.
Fortnite’s premier esports tournament also draws to a close, with the FNCS Global Championship taking place in October. You’ll also want to make time for the final stages of the League of Legends World Championship.
The FNCS Global Championship also finally draws to a close, while the League of Legends World Championship. In 2022, League of Legends Worlds became one of the most-watched tournaments of all time, with the final seeing a peak viewership of more than 5.15 million.
Things start to wind down considerably in November. Counter-Strike 2 fans still have the CS2 Asia Champions to enjoy, while there’s also the Fall Final edition of the BLAST Premier. In December, there’s the CS2 Major Championship Winter Split, along with the World Final of the BLAST Premier. Once all that’s done and dusted, the next round of winter heats and preliminary spring playoffs are just a few weeks away.
