Esports Triumphs of the Year: 2024's Top Moments

2024: A Year of Esports Triumphs and Turmoil

2024 presented a captivating blend of exhilarating victories and unforeseen setbacks in the esports world. Established legends faced challenges, while newcomers emerged to redefine the competitive landscape. This retrospective highlights the pivotal moments that shaped the year.

Table of Contents:

Faker's Legendary Ascent
Induction into the Hall of Legends
Donk's Meteoric Rise in Counter-Strike
Copenhagen Major Chaos
Apex Legends Hackers Strike
Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance
Mobile Legends' Surge and Dota 2's Dip
The Best of 2024

Faker's Legendary Ascent

7 Main Esports Moments of 2024 Image: x.com

The League of Legends World Championship dominated the 2024 esports calendar. T1's victory, securing Faker's fifth world championship title, was a testament to his enduring skill. However, the journey was far from smooth. Persistent DDoS attacks significantly hampered T1's preparation throughout the year, nearly jeopardizing their qualification for Worlds. Their eventual triumph, particularly Faker's exceptional performance in the grand final against Bilibili Gaming, solidified his status as an unparalleled esports legend.

Induction into the Hall of Legends

7 Main Esports Moments of 2024 Image: x.com

Months before Worlds 2024, Faker achieved another monumental milestone: becoming the inaugural member of Riot Games' Hall of Legends. This event marked not only a significant personal achievement but also a pivotal moment for esports recognition, representing a publisher-backed hall of fame designed for lasting impact.

Donk's Meteoric Rise in Counter-Strike

7 Main Esports Moments of 2024 Image: x.com

While Faker reigned supreme in League of Legends, 17-year-old Siberian prodigy, Donk, emerged as Counter-Strike's breakout star. His unprecedented rookie year, culminating in a Player of the Year award and victory at the Shanghai Major with Team Spirit, defied expectations. His aggressive, mobility-focused playstyle, eschewing the traditional AWP role, redefined the game.

Copenhagen Major Chaos

The Copenhagen Major witnessed a significant disruption when individuals, motivated by financial disputes between rival virtual casinos, stormed the stage and damaged the trophy. This incident highlighted a need for enhanced security measures and triggered a Coffeezilla investigation into questionable practices within the esports ecosystem, potentially leading to legal ramifications.

Apex Legends Hackers Strike

The ALGS Apex Legends tournament suffered a major setback due to hackers remotely compromising participants' PCs. This incident, coupled with a significant in-game bug, underscored concerns about the game's stability and potentially contributed to player migration to other titles.

Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance

Saudi Arabia's influence in esports continued to expand with the Esports World Cup 2024, a two-month spectacle encompassing 20 disciplines and substantial prize pools. The event, along with a robust support program for teams, propelled Falcons Esports, a Saudi Arabian organization, to victory in the club championship, showcasing the impact of strategic investment.

Mobile Legends' Surge and Dota 2's Dip

2024 showcased contrasting fortunes for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Dota 2. The M6 World Championship for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang generated impressive viewership numbers, second only to League of Legends, highlighting the game's global growth despite limited Western penetration. Conversely, Dota 2's International tournament experienced a decline in viewership and prize pool, reflecting a shift in the game's dynamics and the limitations of crowdfunding initiatives.

The Best of 2024

Our 2024 awards: