Professional gaming has witnessed massive growth over the past few years. Considering that esports viewership has been at an all-time high, nations are competing to one of the best esports countries in 2025.
- 1. Criteria Considered in our Selection
- 2. Best Esports Countries in 2025: Our Top 10 List
- 1. South Korea - Modern Esports Capital?
- 2. United States - World Leaders
- 3. Singapore - Future Esports Hub?
- 4. Denmark - Europe's Best
- 5. Saudi Arabia - Big Money
- 6. China - So Much Potential
- 8. Brazil - Die-Hard Fans
- 9. France - Vive Les Bleus
- 10. Germany - Legendary Venues
Criteria Considered in our Selection
Naturally, there are several ways in which countries may be ranked as the best esports countries in 2025. Here are the following main factors to consider:
- Prize Pools – more money typically means more investment by the country
- Infrastructure – this includes venues, facilities and equipment available
- Community – professional players, esports staff and talent
- Achievements – wins at international tournaments
Considering these factors which are constantly changing for esports tournaments, let’s take a look at the best esports countries in 2025 according to our criteria in no particular order.
Best Esports Countries in 2025: Our Top 10 List
1. South Korea – Modern Esports Capital?
Thanks to a culture of internet cafes, South Korea’s esports industry has grown parallel to the international industry with Seoul emergering as the modern esports capital.
Pushing Blizzard’s StarCraft back in 1999, one of the first esports games out there, South Korea is now a haven for esports. In terms of infrastructure, the country hosts venues such as the Busan Esports Arena and has a special connection to one of the most popular esports in the world – League of Legends.
Moreover, South Korea is also known for its dominance in Overwatch esports, winning the Overwatch World Cup three times. Hosting international tournaments for StarCraft, Counter-Strike, PUBG, VALORANT and League of Legends to name a few, Korean players receive global attention such as the iconic Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok.
Overall, it’s the fervour for esports which has us listing South Korea so highly.
2. United States – World Leaders
Known for its esports market, which is one of the best in the world, the United States of America has always had a passion for entertainment on a global scale.
For example, the US is home to some of the most popular esports organizations in the world, such as FaZe Clan and OpTic Gaming, competing at the highest level. In the past decade, the US has used this popularity to fuel franchised leagues such as the Overwatch League, the NBA 2K League and the Call of Duty League – with mixed results.
As an international venue, the US has hosted almost every top tournament there is such as The International, Worlds, VALORANT Champions, Six Invitational and more. Now in 2025, the US is hosting this year’s CS2 Major – the BLAST Austin Major.
Beyond its close relationship with first-person shooter esports such as Overwatch, Fortnite, Rainbow Six, PUBG, Halo and Call of Duty, the US is home to the best fighting game player of all time (Dominique “SonicFox” McLean) and the best Rocket League teams in the world.
See also: Best Fortnite Players
3. Singapore – Future Esports Hub?
Seemingly the pearl of Southeast Asian esports, Singapore has made a tremendous effort to invest in the future of esports.
This has involved focusing on esports markets which are not necessarily mainstream in the West, but are huge in the other half of the world. Mobile Legends, for example, is one of the leading esports in the world and has hosted the M World Championship for two years in a year in Singapore.
Other mobile esports tournaments hosted in Singapore include the Free Fire World Series, COD Mobile Championships and PUBG Mobile Global Championship. Pairing this niche approach with mainstream support, hosting tournaments such as The International, LoL Worlds, Counter-Strike and the Dota Pro Slam, Singapore is destined to be a future esports hub.
While Singapore is slightly behind in terms of community and players, its commitment to the future of esports is why we’ve ranked it highly.
4. Denmark – Europe’s Best
Johan “N0tail” Sundstein is the highest-earning esports player worldwide with over $7 million earned thanks to his prolific Dota 2 career.
As Denmark’s best achievement, this nation is a European home for esports especially when it comes to both Dota 2 and moreso, Counter-Strike. Of note, the historic Astralis roster is still recognized as one of the best Counter-Strike teams of all time.
The capital city of Denmark, Copenhagen, has hosted tournaments such as The International, Fortnite Global Championship, Rocket League Championship Series, the ESL Pro League, BLAST Premier, R6 Majors and more.
Succeeding across all of our categories despite being a small nation, Denmark is a curious entry into our best esports countries.
5. Saudi Arabia – Big Money
Saudi Arabia has gone out of its way to prove to the world its devotion to esports.
Starting with infrastructure and prize pools, after their experiment with Gamers8 a few years back, the Esports World Cup is their new project. Hosting tournaments for over 21 esports scenes with over $60 million in prize pool, Saudi Arabia has invested massively in esports with the best esports festival ever.
Beyond prize pools, Saudi Arabia has also developed some star talents such as Adlossary “MSdossary7” Mossad who is one of the top FIFA players in the world. While Saudi has some catching up to do in terms of community and hosting international tournaments not organized by themselves, there is definitely huge potential.
6. China – So Much Potential
Just like the US, China’s huge economy puts them ahead of other nations when it comes to esports.
Of note, there are titles which are particular to China such as Honor of Kings, CrossFire and mobile games fostered by the world’s most popular publishers, Tencent. In this environment, Chinese professional players are also recognized as some of the best in mainstream esports such as League of Legends, VALORANT and Dota 2.
Notably, EDward Gaming (a Chinese organization) won both LoL Worlds 2021 and VALORANT Champions 2024, while Wings Gaming won The International 2016.
Beyond talent, China hosts numerous international tournaments for Dota, LoL, VALORANT, HoK and CS. Moreover, in 2025, Worlds is being hosted in China.
However, China’s potential is held back by government policies which restrict video game access and limiting minors to how much they can play videogames.
7. Russia – Former Heavyweight
With a love for all things Valve-related, Russia also has its hat in the ring as one of the best esports countries. Home to Team Spirit, the two-time The International winners and Major winning CS players such as Denis “electroNic” Sharipov, Russia knows what it means to win.
In addition, Russians have also recently claimed multiple championships in VALORANT through the former FunPlus Phoenix roster while also winning the 2019 PUBG Nations Cup.
As a host nation, Russia has recently hosted the Games of the Future with invites from all over the world. However, in the midst of political turmoil, Russia’s position in esports has declined as Russian teams and venues have been sidelined.
8. Brazil – Die-Hard Fans
When one thinks of Brazil, images of carnival and die-hard football fans are likely to appear. This energetic approach to competition has transferred into Brazil, offering up one of the loudest fan bases out there with vaulting viewership.
Pushing out historic rosters such as the legendary SK Gaming which won Majors, w7m winning the Six Invitational or the LOUD team which won VALORANT Champions, multiple Brazilian organizations have their toes in esports from across the world.
Competing in everything from mobile esports to Mobile Legends, the talent Brazil has to offer is undeniable. This has been recognized by tournament organizers who have used Brazil as a thrilling venue for tournaments such as Six Invitational, VCT LOCK//IN, IEM Rio and more.
9. France – Vive Les Bleus
Just like Italy has its own word for football, France has its own term for esports – ‘jew video de competition’. That just goes to show how well-recognized esports is in France.
This likely follows the legacy which French competitors are forging across multiple esports scenes. Of note, Team Vitality’s presence in Counter-Strike is undeniable, winning five major trophies in 2023. Moreover, France is home to a Dota The International winner.
Interestingly, France’s love for football is also prevalent considering that french players are simply the best at Rocket League. Winning the Rocket League World Championship in 2021/22 and 2022/23, the scene is dominated by this esports country.
Moreover, success from tournaments such as the BLAST Paris Major has laid the foundation for future tournaments such as VALORANT Champions to visit the nation.
10. Germany – Legendary Venues
Right beside France, Germany is helping create a European hub for the esports industry too.
Renowned across the esports world for the iconic IEM Cologne tournament and venue, Germany has attracted multiple esports such as Dota and VALORANT Champions. Other hosted tournaments include the Rocket League World Championship, LoL LEC tournaments and R6S majors.
In 2025, The International is heading to Hamburg Germany, bringing the entire competitive Dota 2 community with it.
Outside of infrastructure though, Germany’s leading talent is in Dota with Kuro “KuroKy” Takhasomi and Leon “Nine” Kirilin having won The International on different rosters.
Otherwise, Germany could improve on infiltrating more esports on a global level.
