7 Main Esports Moments of 2024

2024: A Year of Esports Triumphs and Turmoil

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

Table of Contents

• Faker's Legendary Achievement
• Induction into the Hall of Legends
• Donk's Meteoric Rise
• The Copenhagen Major Chaos
• Apex Legends Hackers Strike
• Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance
• Mobile Legends' Ascent, Dota 2's Decline
• The Best of 2024

Faker's Legendary Achievement

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The League of Legends World Championship dominated 2024's esports narrative. T1, led by Faker, secured their fifth world title. However, their victory transcended mere statistics. The team battled persistent DDoS attacks throughout the first half of the year, significantly hindering their practice and almost costing them their Worlds qualification. Their eventual triumph, especially Faker's masterful performance in the grand final against Bilibili Gaming, cemented his legendary status.

Induction into the Hall of Legends

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Months before Worlds, Faker achieved another monumental milestone: becoming the inaugural member of Riot Games' official Hall of Legends. This event was significant not only for its recognition of Faker's unparalleled contributions but also for marking a new era of publisher-backed esports halls of fame, promising greater longevity for such accolades.

Donk's Meteoric Rise

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While Faker solidified his GOAT status, 17-year-old Siberian prodigy, Donk, emerged as 2024's breakout star in Counter-Strike. His unprecedented rookie Player of the Year win, achieved without specializing in the AWP role, showcased his exceptional aim and aggressive playstyle. Donk led Team Spirit to victory at the Shanghai Major, culminating a remarkable year.

The Copenhagen Major Chaos

The Copenhagen Major suffered a significant setback when individuals, motivated by a dispute between rival virtual casinos, disrupted the event, damaging the trophy. This incident forced a reassessment of tournament security and triggered a Coffeezilla investigation into questionable practices within the esports gambling industry, potentially leading to legal ramifications.

Apex Legends Hackers Strike

The ALGS Apex Legends tournament was also impacted by malicious activity. Hackers remotely compromised participants' PCs, introducing cheats into the competition. This incident, coupled with a game-breaking bug, highlighted concerns about the game's stability and sparked player migration to alternative titles.

Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance

Saudi Arabia continued its expansion into the esports sector. The Esports World Cup 2024, a two-month extravaganza encompassing 20 disciplines and boasting substantial prize pools, showcased the nation's growing influence. The success of Falcons Esports, a Saudi Arabian organization, in the club championship, underscored the impact of strategic investment in the region.

Mobile Legends' Ascent, Dota 2's Decline

2024 witnessed contrasting fortunes for two prominent titles. The M6 World Championship for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang attracted impressive viewership, second only to League of Legends, demonstrating the game's global growth. Conversely, Dota 2 experienced a decline in both viewership and prize pool, highlighting the limitations of relying solely on in-game item sales to sustain the competitive scene.

The Best of 2024

Our 2024 awards:

• Game of the Year: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
• Match of the Year: LoL Worlds 2024 Finals (T1 vs. BLG)
• Player of the Year: Donk
• Club of the Year: Team Spirit
• Event of the Year: Esports World Cup 2024
• Soundtrack of the Year: Heavy is the Crown by Linkin Park

With anticipated changes to the Counter-Strike ecosystem, exciting tournaments on the horizon, and new stars ready to shine, 2025 promises even more thrilling esports action.