Fortnite World Cup

The Fortnite World Cup set a benchmark for prize pools in esports, awarding $30 million in its 2019 debut and turning 16-year-old Bugha into a millionaire. The event drew 40 million online viewers, growing faster than the average esports tournament at the time. While #5 CS2 Major Championships rely on tradition, the World Cup proved battle royale esports can command global attention in a single weekend, with a prize pool 33% larger than any single CS2 Major.