Most successful teams of 2025 by prize money won

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The esports landscape in 2025 was nothing short of explosive. Across games like Honor of Kings, Dota 2, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike, teams shattered records, racked up massive prize pools, and showcased levels of skill and consistency that left fans around the world in awe. From jaw-dropping winning streaks to clutch performances on the biggest stages, last year’s competitive scene produced both new legends and confirmed the dominance of long-established powerhouses.

In this article, we break down the top 10 most successful esports teams of 2025 by prize money, highlighting their standout achievements, record-breaking earnings, and the tournaments that defined their seasons. Whether it’s a mobile MOBA giant, a European Dota 2 powerhouse, or a Counter-Strike team sweeping across continents, these squads set the bar for excellence in esports last year.

#10 Wolves ($1.61 million)

Wolves’ Honor of Kings roster finished 10th among the most successful esports teams of 2025. The team’s standout achievement was a runner-up finish at the King Pro League Grand Finals 2025, which was the most lucrative tournament in the esports industry last year. The event featured a prize pool of nearly $10 million, with Wolves taking home $1.4 million for second place.

Other notable results for Wolves in 2025 include a runner-up finish at the Honor of Kings Challenger Cup 2024, fourth place at the King Pro League Summer 2025, and fifth place at the King Pro League Spring 2025.

#9 Weibo Gaming ($1.62 million)

Ninth place in the rankings went to another Honor of Kings team, China’s Weibo Gaming. In 2025, the organization earned $1.62 million, delivering strong performances across both seasons of the King Pro League and at the Grand Finals.

Weibo Gaming at Challenger Cup 2025 / Photo: King Pro League

Weibo Gaming’s largest single payout in 2025 was $1.12 million, earned for a third-place finish at the King Pro League Grand Finals 2025. Interestingly, in the semifinal match for a spot in the KPL final, Weibo Gaming lost to Wolves, the team ranked 10th overall. However, Weibo Gaming ultimately placed higher in the annual standings thanks to stronger performances in both the King Pro League Spring 2025 and King Pro League Summer 2025.

#8 Team Spirit ($1.66 million)

After winning the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, Team Spirit carried that momentum into an outstanding 2025 season. The Russian Counter-Strike squad claimed titles at BLAST Bounty Spring 2025, PGL Astana 2025, IEM Cologne 2025, and BLAST Bounty Fall 2025, while also reaching the playoffs at both Majors during the year. In terms of tournament results and total prize money earned in 2025, Team Spirit was surpassed only by Team Vitality, which delivered a truly phenomenal season.

Team Spirit at BLAST Rivals Fall 2025 / Photo: BLAST

Team Spirit earned a total of $1.66 million in prize money in 2025. Of that amount, $400,000 came from their first-place finish at IEM Cologne 2025, with a similar sum awarded for second place in the BLAST Frequent Flyers Program 2025.

#7 Gen.G ($1.71 million)

Gen.G Esports’s League of Legends roster delivered a phenomenal 2025 season. The team won LCK Road to MSI 2025, captured its second consecutive Mid-Season Invitational title at MSI 2025, claimed first place at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, and also secured the LCK 2025 Season championship on home soil.

GenG at Worlds 2025 / Photo: Riot Games

This exceptional level of consistency made Gen.G the clear favorite to win the 2025 World Championship, but the Korean powerhouse was ultimately eliminated just one step short of the grand final. In 2025, Gen.G earned a total of $1.71 million in prize money. The biggest single contribution — $600,000 — came from their victory at the Esports World Cup 2025.

It’s also important to note that Riot Games significantly increased prize pools for its top-tier events in 2025. For example, Gen.G earned just $50,000 for winning the 2024 Mid-Season Invitational, compared to a massive $500,000 for their MSI 2025 title.

#6 PARIVISION ($1.74 million)

The 2025 Dota 2 competitive season was exceptionally packed, with new tournament series launching and an even greater number of major international events on the calendar. As a result, teams had more opportunities to earn higher prize money, which ultimately enabled PARIVISION to break into the top of the year-end rankings.

PARIVISION with ESL One Raleigh 2025 trophy / Photo: ESL

Last year, PARIVISION claimed titles at ESL One Raleigh 2025 and DreamLeague Season 26, earning a combined $500,000 in prize money. While the team didn’t secure any additional championships, it consistently placed in the top three, regularly picking up prize money for second and third-place finishes. Altogether, PARIVISION’s total earnings for the year reached approximately $1.74 million.

#5 Team Spirit ($2.25 million)

Team Spirit’s Dota 2 roster finished fifth among the most successful esports teams of 2025, earning $2.25 million in prize money. Interestingly, that total is less than what each Team Spirit player earned for winning The International 2021. Today, professional Dota 2 players can only look back nostalgically at those “golden days”.

Team Spirit with PGL Wallachia Season 1 trophy / Photo: PGL

In 2025, Team Spirit’s standout achievement was winning the Esports World Cup 2025, with the championship in Riyadh earning the team $1 million. Other notable results included a victory at DreamLeague Season 25, along with second-place finishes at several international tournaments, such as ESL One Raleigh 2025, PGL Wallachia Season 6, and DreamLeague Season 27.

#4 Tundra Esports ($2.46 million)

In 2025, Tundra Esports’ Dota 2 roster earned over $2.46 million in total prize money. The European team remains one of the top contenders in the professional scene, consistently competing in elite international tournaments.

Tundra Esports win BLAST Slam II trophy / Photo: BLAST

Last year, Tundra Esports secured four titles in the BLAST Slam series, earning $300,000 for each victory. The team also posted strong results in other major events, including the DreamLeague series, PGL Wallachia, and FISSURE PLAYGROUND.

#3 Team Falcons ($2.83 million)

Team Falcons reaffirmed their dominance on the professional Dota 2 scene in 2025, with the roster led by Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf emerging as the most successful lineup of the year. In 2025, Team Falcons had fewer tournament wins than the previous year, but they achieved their most coveted milestone: winning The International 2025. Their first-place finish at the season’s premier event earned approximately $1.22 million, and the team also collected $500,000 for second place at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh.

Team Falcons at The International 2025 / Photo: Valve

Team Falcons also posted several other notable results; while tournament victories were rare, they consistently reached semifinals and finals. As a result, the team earned approximately $2.83 million in total prize money for the year.

#2 Team Vitality ($3.93 million)

Team Vitality had a phenomenal 2025 season in Counter-Strike. The French organization’s roster claimed nine international tournament victories across three continents. Between February and June, they won every tournament they entered, extending their winning streak to 30 consecutive match victories.

Team Vitality at BLAST Open Spring 2025 / Photo: BLAST

Team Vitality’s standout achievements in 2025 were winning both of the year’s Majors: BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 and StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. Overall, the team has now claimed three titles in Valve’s premier tournament series.

Team Vitality earned approximately $3.93 million in total last year. This figure includes tournament prize money as well as winnings from the ESL Grand Slam Season 5 and the BLAST Frequent Flyers Program 2025.

#1 AG Super Play ($4.88 million)

The most successful esports team of 2025 by total prize money was China’s AG Super Play in Honor of Kings. Widely regarded as one of the top teams in the professional mobile MOBA scene, they have consistently dominated the biggest HoK tournaments for several years.

AG.AL International at KWC 2025 / Photo: Esports World Cup

In 2025, AG Super Play claimed titles at King Pro League Spring and Summer, earning roughly $660,000 from each tournament. They also took home $750,000 for first place at the Honor of Kings World Cup 2025.

Their biggest accomplishment of the year came with a victory at the King Pro League Grand Finals 2025, the esports event with highest prize money payoff, featuring a prize pool of nearly $10 million. Not only did the Chinese team defend their previous year’s championship, but they also earned around $2.8 million from this single tournament.

AG Super Play also posted strong results in smaller tournaments, bringing their total earnings for 2025 to approximately $4.88 million.

Top esports teams by prize winnings in 2025

The Most Successful Teams of 2025 by Prize Money Won