Ranking of the Richest eSports Players

“The team that keeps winning is not the most talented but the most hard-working.” – Zoltan Andrejkovics.

Mobile games like Honor of Kings, Dota 2, Fortnite, League of Legends, Riot games, and PUBG Mobile are some of the biggest names dominating the sport, while observers believe we may see newer games take the spotlight in the coming days. However, it’s not just the big games that are making the headlines at eSports tournaments. 

Notable esports players worldwide, eSports stars, and perennial winners who have successfully eked a mammoth financial reward for themselves are also filling the news rounds and conversations in the esports market.

In this post, we provide a list of the top paid eSports players in history whose participation and expertise have earned them renown in the eSports industry as well as sizable millions in US Dollars.

Top 5 Richest eSports Players in History 

eSports has sent a clear message over the last decade: big money prizes are here to stay. Of course, it has also considered diversifying its revenue streams to remain viable in the long run. That said, here are the biggest cash prize winners in eSports history.

1. Johan “N0tail” Sundstein (Dota 2) – $7.18M

Dota 2 player Johan “N0tail” Sundstein has won the TI championship twice (in 2018, 2019). Starting as a young prodigy at 15, playing Heroes of Newerth, N0tail’s journey saw him transition to Dota, where he has earned most of his wealth in the game.

He also co-founded OG (formerly Monkey Business), an esports gaming team that is renowned for one of the greatest upsets in esports history. The team won TI 2018 after a surprise entry and went on to repeat the same feat in 2019, becoming the first to win the competition twice.

Beyond winning competitions, N0tail’s trail has marks of his notable leadership traits that turned a group of underdogs into champions. After amassing over $7.18 million throughout his career to become the highest earning eSports player of all time, it’s little wonder that many believe N0tail has changed how Dota is played forever by pro players.

2. Jesse “JerAx” Vainikka – $6.4 million+

Jesse Vainikka is another Dota 2 world champion whose skill and support have made him a notable name as one of the most successful players in the game according to esports earnings. JerAx began in Heroes of Newerth before joining Dota 2. He has featured on some of the best groups of pro gamers like Team Liquid and OG (including the 2018 and 2019 OG winning squad).

After a short hiatus in 2020, JerAx returned in 2021 to the game and later coached Team Liquid. Today, this eSports insider has retired from playing or coaching. The player has earned over $6.4 million in prize money over his professional eSports career, placing him among the biggest earners ever on the eSports scene. He owns the title of the highest-earning eSports player from Finland.

3. Anathan “ana” Pham – $6 million+

Anatham “ana” Pham is an Australian Dota 2 player renowned for his strong performances and unique style. He started with Invictus Gaming in 2016, and won the NEA Beijing tourney. He was also part of the OG team that clinched top prize at two Majors in Kyiv and Boston.

After winning The International in 2018 and 2019, ana took breaks from the game. He later returned to play for Royal Never Give Up. As of today, the Australian Dota 2 genius has earned over $6 million in total earnings, completing the list of top three earners in the world of competitive gaming. 

4. Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov – $5.9 million+

This Russian Dota 2 player who captained Team Spirit is one of the richest global eSports players. Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov began playing in 2014 and first appeared at The International championship in 2017. 

In 2020, Miposhka joined Yellow Submarine (which was later signed by Team Spirit). Under his captaincy, the group won the TI twice in 2021 and 2023, events where he earned the most money and became one of the highest-earning players in the game. Miposhka has earned over $5.9 million from esports since his gaming career began. 

5. Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen – $5.8 million+

Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen is a Finnish Dota 2 player whose main career moments were with Team OG. Thanks to his unique playing style and adaptability, Topson became a key player for the OG’s top spot at the 2018 and 2019 TI wins. 

After his term with Team OG, Topson played for Tundra esports. He helped Tundra finish third at TI 2024. Following that event, he retired from professional play as the second richest player from his country and one of the top eSports players by earnings with over $5.8 million against his name to focus on family life and fulfill his mandatory military service in Finland. 

Another Way to Make Money from iGaming

While you may not be concerned about why skilled players are earning millions of US dollars from competitive gaming by beating world champs, chances are you’re already brainstorming about how to make some money yourself via the expanding iGaming industry. One of the most popular routes in this niche aside from playing eSports games is online betting.

Sports events are always available in hundreds daily and those who know how to bet on them can also make cool money. Before you decide to start betting on sports to meet your personal needs, make sure to register with a legitimate bookmaker site with good odds, extensive banking channels, and bonuses. Also check to know if the bookie has many betting markets. Reading reviews can help you in making that choice.

While betting involves some measure of luck, success requires a blend of emotional intelligence, skill, and experience. Expert bettor, Kate Richardson has also stressed the importance of following basic responsible betting practices to ensure you don’t lose your funds.

Conclusion

“With proper support, resources, and guidance, eSports has the potential to revolutionize education and prepare students for success in the digital age.” – Hemdan M. Aly.

eSports took the world by storm when the inaugural tournament for Dota 2 featured a million-dollar prize pool in the 2014 world championship. Since the Ukrainian team, Na’Vi won that maiden edition, the niche has continued to make many eSports players such as N0tail and JerAx top earners in terms of prize money (as against non-cash rewards). 

While we await the future of eSports, its prize money, and the arrival of more favorite games, we can always expect an upward trend for the emerging sports sector.

The article was provided by Kate Richardson