The worldwide popularity of Esports is not a new phenomenon. While it emerged in Asia, where loyal fans keep up with it regularly, whether by participating in tournaments or by reading about Esports news on sites like VIPCODE GAMES in Vietnam, or Esports News in Korea, Esports has spread like wildfire and reached every corner of the world.
The esports scene is heating up as we approach the final months of 2025, with a packed calendar of high-stakes tournaments and major competitive shifts that will set the stage for 2026’s season. Here’s an in-depth look at the upcoming esports tournaments and the strategic trends shaping the industry.
The Grand Finale of 2025’s Major MOBA Tournaments
In the world of MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas), late 2025 marks the climax of some of the year’s flagship events. The League of Legends World Championship 2025 concluded with its final on 9 November in Chengdu, China. This event, pivotal in the esports calendar, implemented the innovative Fearless Draft system, which discourages repetition in champion picks, increasing tactical complexity and pushing teams to expand their strategic playbooks.
Similarly, Dota 2’s premier event, The International 2025 (TI), took place from 4–14 September in Hamburg, Germany. TI remains the ultimate prestige event for Dota 2, concluding a year of intense competition. Following TI, the new ESL Pro Tour takes centre stage, replacing the former Dota Pro Circuit and offering a robust competitive structure with several $1 million+ prize pool tournaments in 2026. This model supports competitive stability and cultivates emerging talent through tier two DreamLeague Division 2 events.
Tactical Shooter Battles
Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) caps off the year with the eagerly awaited StarLadder Budapest Major, scheduled for 24 November to 14 December. This S-Tier event features 32 elite teams competing for a $1.25 million prize pool, hosted strategically across two venues to maximise live event impact: intimate early rounds at MTK Sportpark and the large-scale playoffs at the 20,000-seat MVM Dome. Before this, numerous Tier 1 tournaments span Europe and Asia, including BLAST events in Malta and London, and ESL competitions in Stockholm.
Meanwhile, the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) gears up for a global reset commencing in 2026, launching with four regional KICKOFF LAN tournaments in Los Angeles, Berlin, Seoul, and Shanghai. These events will feed into regional and international competitions, culminating in the Champions Shanghai event in the autumn, ensuring global market balance and consistent competitive content.
Overwatch and Console Ecosystem Highlights
The Overwatch Champions Series 2025 will climax at the OWCS World Finals in Stockholm from 26–30 November. Twelve top teams from various regions will battle it out, with early rounds broadcast from the studio and later stages integrated into the major DreamHack festival, reflecting a trend toward co-locating esports finals with larger gaming events.
In the console sphere, the Call of Duty League (CDL) begins preparing for its 2026 season, launching qualifiers in December 2025 for the new Black Ops 7 title. The 2026 season introduces notable changes, including a new game mode, Overload, replacing Control, and a return to major events embedded within traditional gaming festivals such as DreamHack Birmingham, which hosts Major 2.
Mobile and Cross-Platform Developments
Mobile esports continue to command massive engagement, particularly in Asia. Key events include the Free Fire World Series Global Finals (31 October – 15 November 2025) and the MLBB Continental Championships.
In summary, the tail end of 2025 and the onset of 2026 outline a vibrant, dynamic esports ecosystem. This period blends intense competition with strategic reforms aimed at enhancing competitive quality, broadening global reach, and ensuring commercial sustainability across games and regions. For fans and stakeholders alike, the coming months offer thrilling esports drama and exciting developments to watch closely.