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Esports earnings: Top 25 Highest Paid Players in 2020 So Far
Reading Time: 4 minutes
> Five teenagers, including a 15-year-old, among the best
> Two chess players make the list
> No League of Legends players in top 25
2020 has hit a lot of industries very hard – but not esports.
The lockdown has brought huge growth in viewers to professional gaming as millions flock to watch the world’s best players in action.
This new level of interest will only help the industry grow, along with the pay packets of the gamers themselves.
But, how much do they earn?
New research by esports bookmakers Unikrn shows just how much the top 25 players have been winning in tournament prize money so far this year.
In 2019, there was a total prize pool of $227m shared between over 25,000 players playing in 5,000 tournaments.
Six months into 2020 and there’s still been $32.5m in prize money – despite the cancellation and postponement of many events.
Of that pot, the highest earning player has taken home $300,000 so far.
Brazilian Paulo Damo Da Rosa, known as PVDDR, won Magic: The Gathering Arena’s, Magic World Championship XXVI in February – pocketing the huge fee in one lump sum.
The five members of Spacestation Gaming’s Rainbow Six Siege team – Bosco, Rampy, Thinkingnade, Fultz and Canadian – also feature in the top 10.
Their victories in this year’s Six Invitational 2020 and Pro League Season 11 have earned them $210,000 each.
With a combined age of 47, teenagers Wolfiez, Furious and JannisZ are in the top 16 for their big Fortnite wins.
The UK’s Wolfiez, 16, has taken home $130,000 so far this year from two tournaments coming second in both FNCS Invitationals: Europe last month.
JannisZ, 15, from Germany, won one of those tournaments, while American 16-year-old Furious secured victory in the FNCS Grand Finals in North America – both earning $120,000+.
Among the top 25, Chess24 stars Hikaru Nakamura and grandmaster Magnus Carlsen have also taken home over $100,000 each in prize money.
STATISTICS
The average age of the top 25 earning players so far in 2020 is 24 years old.
So far this year, the top country for earning prize money is the United States with players making over $6million between 1,870 of them.
However, the best average prize winner per country belongs to Jordan.
Six players earned an average of $33,000 each – made up mostly by Doha 2 players Yapzor and Miracle-, who claimed $175,000 of the total $200,000.
Bear in mind all of these earnings do not include their sponsorships, bonuses or salaries – some of which are rumoured to be around the $500,000 mark.
So there will be players easily taking home close to $1,000,000 a year.
The highest earning esports player of all-time is Danish Dota 2 player Johan Sundstein.
Going by player ID N0tail, the 26-year-old has amassed $6.9m in prize money from 117 tournaments and been a winner at the International 2018 and 2019.
Ryan Jurado, esports analyst with the industry juggernaut Unikrn, said: “As impressive as the prize earnings are in esports, they’re just the tip of the iceberg.
“In reality, thousands of players around the world make additional income by building their brand and fan bases with non-competition activities such as gaming streams, earn income with sponsorship deals and receive a salary to play as part of an organized team.
“Amazon’s Twitch alone has 22,000 partnered streamers, most of whom are playing games and earning cash outside of tournaments. When you add in Microsoft’s Mixr, Google’s YouTube, Facebook, plus non-American platforms like Huya, plus thousands of yearly video game tournaments, the number of players making some form of income by gaming is likely well over 100,000 worldwide. For most, this is a paying hobby rather than a career, but some players do reach multi-millionaire status before they even graduate high school.”
| Real name | Player name | Game | Nationality | Age | Prize Money 2020 | Tournaments | Prize Money (Overall) |
| Paulo Damo da Rosa | PVDDR | Magic: The Gathering Arena | Brazil | 32 | $300,000.00 | 1 | $337,800.00 |
| Troy Jaroslawski | Canadian | Rainbow Six Siege | Canada | 23 | $210,000.00 | 2 | $317,628.57 |
| Dylan Bosco | Bosco | Rainbow Six Siege | United States | 25 | $210,000.00 | 2 | $275,750.00 |
| Nathanial Duvall | Rampy | Rainbow Six Siege | United States | $210,000.00 | 2 | $261,060.00 | |
| Javier Escamila | Thinkingnade | Rainbow Six Siege | El Salvador | 21 | $210,000.00 | 2 | $261,030.00 |
| Alec Fultz | Fultz | Rainbow Six Siege | American | $210,000.00 | 2 | $238,966.67 | |
| Lee, Byung Ryul | Rogue | Starcraft II | Korea | 26 | $155,128.20 | 9 | $832,543.20 |
| Marcio Carvalho | Marcio Carvalho | Magic The Gathering Arena | Portugal | 34 | $150,000.00 | 1 | $214,900.00 |
| Jaden Ashman | Wolfiez | Fortnite | UK | 16 | $130,000.00 | 2 | $1,300,026.67 |
| Lasse Urpalainen | Matumbaman | Dota 2 | Finland | 25 | $122,413.40 | 7 | $3,684,194.44 |
| Clement Ivanov | Puppey | Dota 2 | Estonia | 30 | $122,413.40 | 7 | $2,783,899.63 |
| Ludwig Wåhlberg | Zai | Dota 2 | Sweden | 22 | $122,413.40 | 7 | $2,443,054.42 |
| Yazied Jaradat | YapzOr | Dota 2 | Jordan | 25 | $122,413.40 | 7 | $1,452,524.07 |
| Michał Jankowski | Nisha | Dota 2 | Poland | 19 | $122,413.40 | 7 | $852,679.11 |
| Furious | Fortnite | United States | 16 | $121,500.00 | 3 | $122,400.00 | |
| JannisZ | Fortnite | Germany | 15 | $120,000.00 | 1 | $131,362.42 | |
| Asger Larsen | AcilioN | CS:GO | Denmark | 23 | $117,688.05 | 6 | $205,471.35 |
| Lucas Andersen | Bubzki | CS:GO | Denmark | 21 | $113,800.00 | 5 | $186,770.86 |
| Frederik Gyldstrand | acoR | CS:GO | Denmark | 22 | $113,800.00 | 5 | $183,034.72 |
| Rasmus Beck | sjuush | CS:GO | Denmark | 21 | $113,800.00 | 5 | $178,613.09 |
| Fredrik Jørgensen | roejJ | CS:GO | Denmark | $113,800.00 | 5 | $167,242.03 | |
| Hikaru Nakamura | Hikaru | Chess24 | Japan | 32 | $102,632.19 | 10 | $148,117.61 |
| Sven Magnus Carlsen | DrNykterstein | Chess24 | Norway | 29 | $101,170.48 | 7 | $130,928.92 |
| Seth Manfield | Seth Manfield | Magic: The Gathering Arena | United States | 29 | $100,000.00 | 1 | $141,900.00 |
| David Wang | Aqua | Fortnite | Austria | 18 | $98,750.00 | 4 | $1,868,341.23 |
| Country | Prize Money | Players | Average per |
| United States | $6,340,646.89 | 1870 | $3,390.72 |
| China | $2,918,944.04 | 340 | $8,585.13 |
| Brazil | $2,161,506.14 | 401 | $5,390.29 |
| Korea, Republic of | $2,067,293.52 | 455 | $4,543.50 |
| France | $1,516,403.65 | 419 | $3,619.10 |
| Russian Federation | $1,495,117.67 | 440 | $3,397.99 |
| Denmark | $1,472,041.31 | 173 | $8,508.91 |
| Germany | $1,262,670.52 | 483 | $2,614.22 |
| United Kingdom | $1,255,641.62 | 333 | $3,770.70 |
| Canada | $1,170,591.49 | 308 | $3,800.62 |
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Highest Earning Players of All Time (By Prize Money)
| Real name | Player name | Game | Nationality | Age | Prize Money Overall | Tournaments |
| Johan Sundstein | N0tail | Dota 2 | Denmark | 26 | $6,895,040.18 | 117 |
| Jesse Vainikka | JerAx | Dota 2 | Finland | 28 | $6,470,000.02 | 65 |
| Anathan Pham | ana | Dota 2 | Australia | 20 | $6,000,411.96 | 24 |
| Sébastien Debs | Ceb | Dota 2 | France | 28 | $5,501,233.01 | 54 |
| Topias Taavitsainen | Topson | Dota 2 | Finland | 22 | $5,415,046.17 | 21 |
| Kuro Takhasomi | KuroKy | Dota 2 | Germany | 27 | $5,177,764.81 | 110 |
| Amer Al-Barkawi | Miracle- | Dota 2 | Jordan | 22 | $4,743,118.88 | 57 |
| Ivan Ivanov | MinD_ContRoL | Dota 2 | Bulgaria | 25 | $4,534,193.36 | 67 |
| Maroun Merhej | GH | Dota 2 | Lebanon | 24 | $4,137,126.44 | 44 |
| Lasse Urpalainen | Matumbaman | Dota 2 | Finland | 25 | $3,674,181.04 | 69 |
**Stats taken from www.esportsearnings.com and do not include salaries, bonuses or sponsorships
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Esports earnings: Top 25 Highest Paid Players in 2020 So Far
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RELATABLE NAMES WILL OCHOA DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL SALES TO LEAD GLOBAL EXPANSION STRATEGY
With a focus on new markets and global partnerships, Ochoa will help bring Relatable’s playful, trend-driven products to audiences worldwide.
Relatable, the modern entertainment and consumer products company that transforms social media trends into engaging products for Gen Z, millennials and their families, has appointed Will Ochoa as Director of International Sales. Ochoa will lead international sales strategy and execution as the company accelerates global expansion and deepens its presence across key markets.
“Relatable’s growth has been nothing short of incredible, evolving from a viral game into a global force across multiple categories,” said Ochoa. “I’m incredibly excited to help bring this momentum to new regions and retail channels. My focus will be on building strategic partnerships, deepening relationships with our distributors and retailers, and unlocking new market opportunities as we continue expanding our international footprint.”
Ochoa brings a wealth of experience from the international toy, licensing and entertainment industries, having recently served as Chief Commercial Officer at Toikido and General Manager at Zuru Toys, where he oversaw the company’s commercial operations in Europe. He has a strong background in global distribution and retail, with a track record of building cross-market relationships and driving sales growth across diverse territories.
“Will has a great understanding of the international landscape and brings a strong balance of experience and entrepreneurial energy to the role,” said Ben Kaplan, Co-Founder and Partner of Relatable. “He’s a fantastic addition to the team as we work toward our next phase of global growth.”
In his new role, Ochoa will focus on scaling Relatable’s presence in priority global markets, shaping go-to-market strategies, and collaborating closely with regional teams and partners to support international product rollouts.
For more information on Relatable’s products, visit relatable.com.
The post RELATABLE NAMES WILL OCHOA DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL SALES TO LEAD GLOBAL EXPANSION STRATEGY appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Sponsorship deal announced ahead of headline Dillian Whyte bout in Saudi Arabia
Bet9ja – Nigeria’s leading sportsbook, powered by Logifuture – has announced a partnership with heavyweight boxing sensation Moses Itauma.
Itauma, a 20-year-old British fighter of Nigerian descent, has rapidly become one of boxing’s most compelling figures, with an unbeaten professional record, having stopped 10 of his 12 opponents since turning professional in 2023.
The sponsorship deal comes as Itauma prepares for the biggest fight of his career – against Britain’s Dillian Whyte in a headline bout in Saudi Arabia on Saturday (August 16).
Bet9ja’s logo will be prominently displayed on Itauma’s training gear, as well as his ringside team’s clothing during fights. He is also contributing to a series of videos and digital content that fans will enjoy via Bet9ja’s social channels.
For Bet9ja, this sponsorship reflects their deep commitment to supporting Nigerian excellence in sports. As Nigeria’s number one sportsbook, Bet9ja, with Logifuture’s cutting-edge technology and marketing power behind it, continues to push boundaries.
Earlier this year, Bet9ja announced its renewed support for Nigeria national football team’s “Let’s Do It Again” campaign in the build up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Bet9ja is powered by Logifuture, a leading provider of iGaming products, including Simulate and Zoom Soccer – flagship virtual sports titles that are transforming the way sports fans engage with their favourite sports, while providing increased revenues and consistent margins for operators.
Itauma said: “I’m delighted to be working with Bet9ja as I prepare for the biggest fight of my career so far. My Nigerian heritage and family have always been a source of pride, and this partnership is a powerful connection to my roots. I look forward to bringing my championship belts back to my father’s homeland.”
Logifuture Head of Content and Social Media Tom Beck said: “Moses Itauma is one of the most exciting young talents in global boxing.
“Moses has spoken about the strength he draws from his Nigerian roots and that makes him a natural fit for Bet9ja. For fans, he represents something special; a proud symbol of Nigerian toughness, talent and ambition on the global stage.
“Supporting his success means a lot to Logifuture and Bet9ja, and even more to our audience. We are looking forward to helping to share his journey with fans by providing exclusive access and behind-the-scenes content as he continues to build his reputation as one of the most explosive young fighters on the planet.”
Ayo Ojuroye, CEO of Bet9ja, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome Moses Itauma to the Bet9ja family. Moses embodies the spirit of resilience, power, and relentless pursuit of greatness that we champion. His Nigerian roots and global ambition make him a perfect fit for Bet9ja’s vision of empowering champions and delivering world-class player experiences. Partnering with Logifuture, we continue to elevate the standards of engagement in Nigerian sports.”
The post Logifuture-powered Bet9ja partners with heavyweight boxing sensation Moses Itauma appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Following the success of the 21st BAFTA Games Awards earlier this year, BAFTA today opens entries for the 2026 edition, with key dates, updated entry requirements and voting rules confirmed today.
The BAFTA Games Awards celebrate the very best games of the past year and the talent who make them and recognise the outstanding creativity and technical achievements of individuals and teams working in games every year.
Unlike other industry awards, the BAFTA Games Awards are voted for by an expert membership of over 1,400 experienced professionals and are watched by millions online. Content from the 21st BAFTA Games Awards on 8 April 2025 achieved over five million views (and an additional 2.2 million views across the awards season), in a ceremony that saw Astro Bot take home five BAFTAs including Best Game, Still Wakes the Deep take home three and Thank Goodness You’re Here! crowned Best British Game.
A cross-industry BAFTA Games committee reviews the awards’ eligibility criteria, voting and campaigning rules annually to ensure they are robust and fair, and that they evolve with the ever-changing industry landscape.
Key changes for 2026 include:
Voting
- As our membership grows, we are creating more craft chapters for voting, bringing it more in line with our Film Awards. Thanks to the growing expertise of our games voting membership, members with craft experience in art, audio and performance roles will now vote in Round One of the Artistic Achievement, Audio Achievement, and both Performance categories. Previously, the full BAFTA Games membership voted in these categories in Round One.
Key dates, announced today are as follows:
- Monday 11 August 2025: Entries open
- Thursday 6 November 2025: Entries close
- Tuesday 9 December 2025: Longlist revealed
- Thursday 12 March 2026: Nominations announced
- Friday 17 April 2026: Ceremony
Tara Saunders, chair of the BAFTA Games Committee, said: “It’s always a special moment when the entries open for the BAFTA Games Awards. Reflecting on the success of the last awards and all the amazing games celebrated, it spotlighted to me the incredible resilience, collaboration, and creative brilliance across the games industry. As games continue to explore storytelling, design, and innovation, BAFTA’s is here to champion the teams and individuals whose talent and dedication deliver extraordinary experiences to players around the world. With this year’s updates to rules and voting, we’re continuing to evolve how we recognise excellence across every corner of the industry. I’m excited to see all the brilliant work that will get celebrated in 2026.”
Entry is open to all developers and publishers for games released between 16 November 2024 and 14 November 2025, with an entry deadline of Thursday 6 November 2025.
Entry Information
BAFTA is calling for all developers to register games into the Awards within 30 days of a game’s release. This allows BAFTA’s voting members – experts from all across the games industry – enough time to discover and play all games entered in the awards ahead of voting, levelling the playing field across a wide range of games.
Any developer, publisher or studio that has released a game since 16 November 2024 is encouraged to register it into the Awards by 11 September 2025 to benefit from half-price entry fees. The discounted rate is also available to entrants registering their games within 30 days of release in future.
Only basic details are required to register a game into the awards, within 30 days of release. Entry is half price (£220 + VAT) within that period. The standard entry fee is £440 +VAT. Full entry details will then need to be submitted by Thursday 6 November 2025 to finalise the entry.
The post BAFTA GAMES AWARDS 2026 NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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