As of July 2025, China leads global esports with $326 million in cumulative prize money. The United States ranks second with $294.62 million, and South Korea holds third place with $155.11 million. The United States has the largest player pool at approximately 28,939, followed by China with 9,209 and South Korea with 5,954 players.
Global Esports Cumulative Prize Rankings up to July 2025
As of July 2025, China leads global esports with $326 million in cumulative prize money.
Esports, short for electronic sports, refers to organized, competitive video gaming where individuals or teams compete in popular games. It has grown into a global industry with professional leagues, sponsorships, live audiences, and significant economic impact.
An analysis of global esports cumulative prize pools up to July 2025 reveals China in the top position with $326 million, driven by dominance in games like Dota 2, League of Legends, and PUBG, with 9,209 players contributing to this total. The United States follows closely with $294.62 million, showing strength in FPS, battle royale, and fighting game genres, supported by 28,939 players — the largest esports player base globally. South Korea holds third with $155.11 million, reflecting its historical expertise in RTS and MOBA titles, achieved with 5,954 players.
Russia secures fourth place with $93.88 million, while Brazil rounds out the top five at $70.87 million. European countries feature prominently in the top ranks: Denmark (6th, $63.15M, 2,194 players), France (7th, $60.58M, 6,547 players), Sweden (8th, $58.13M, 3,343 players), Germany (9th, $52.3M, 6,869 players), and the United Kingdom (11th, $48.71M, 5,608 players). In Asia, Japan ranks 12th with $41.01 million, and Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines occupy mid-tier positions, indicating a broadening competitive field across the region.
In terms of player numbers, the United States leads significantly, followed by countries like Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, showcasing the scale of their competitive scenes. Notably, Bulgaria and Israel have small player pools (448 and 303 respectively) yet surpassed $10 million in earnings, highlighting exceptional performance-to-player ratios. This data reflects not only raw competitive success but also the operational efficiency of national esports scenes.
Overall, the combination of prize pool size and player count provides insights into the strength, depth, and future potential of national esports ecosystems. These metrics are critical for assessing investment opportunities, talent development strategies, and understanding the shifting global dynamics of the esports industry.
| Rank | Name | Indicator |
|---|---|---|
1 |  China | $ 326M 19K |
2 |  United States | $ 294M 625K |
3 |  South Korea | $ 155M 112K |
4 |  Russia | $ 93M 882K |
5 |  Brazil | $ 70M 879K |
6 |  Denmark | $ 63M 155K |
7 |  France | $ 60M 589K |
8 |  Sweden | $ 58M 133K |
9 |  Germany | $ 52M 303K |
10 |  Canada | $ 49M 903K |
11 |  United Kingdom | $ 48M 711K |
12 |  Japan | $ 41M 18K |
13 |  Ukraine | $ 39M 791K |
14 |  Australia | $ 34M 1K |
15 |  Finland | $ 33M 677K |
16 |  Poland | $ 31M 433K |
17 |  Thailand | $ 30M 874K |
18 |  Philippines | $ 24M 938K |
19 |  Taiwan | $ 22M 899K |
20 |  Malaysia | $ 22M 799K |