What began as LAN parties and niche tournaments has now evolved into one of the most lucrative corners of modern entertainment: esports. In 2025, the top players in the world are no longer underground legends—they are multimillionaire celebrities, brand ambassadors, team owners, and media personalities. Some earn more than professional athletes in traditional sports.
With prize pools growing, sponsorships flooding in, and streaming platforms offering lucrative deals, esports is no longer a side hustle. It’s a billion-dollar industry, and at its core are a handful of elite players commanding global attention—and even greater paychecks.
So who’s at the top in 2025, and how are they making their millions?
Top 10 Highest-Paid Esports Players in the World – 2025
| Rank | Player (Nickname) | Country | Main Game | Estimated Earnings (2025) |
| 1 | Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok) | South Korea | League of Legends | $6.8M |
| 2 | Nisha (Michał Jankowski) | Poland | Dota 2 | $5.9M |
| 3 | S1mple (Oleksandr Kostyliev) | Ukraine | CS2 | $5.5M |
| 4 | Maru (Cho Seong-ju) | South Korea | StarCraft II | $5.1M |
| 5 | Clix (Cody Conrod) | USA | Fortnite | $4.7M |
| 6 | ZywOo (Mathieu Herbaut) | France | CS2 | $4.6M |
| 7 | M0NESY (Ilya Osipov) | Russia | CS2 | $4.4M |
| 8 | Topson (Topias Taavitsainen) | Finland | Dota 2 | $4.3M |
| 9 | Mongraal (Kyle Jackson) | UK | Fortnite | $4.2M |
| 10 | TenZ (Tyson Ngo) | Canada | Valorant | $4.0M |
1. Faker (League of Legends)
The undisputed face of League of Legends, Faker continues to lead T1 with dominance and grace. Now 29, he remains one of the most marketable names in esports history.
- Earnings Breakdown: $2.2M salary, $2.6M in endorsements (Red Bull, Nike Korea, Razer), $2M in tournament winnings & media rights.
- Key Milestone: 2025 MSI champion + co-ownership in T1 gives him long-term equity.
2. Nisha (Dota 2)
Michał “Nisha” Jankowski has redefined consistency in Dota 2. As Team Liquid’s core midlaner, he has become a tactical genius with a massive following.
- Earnings Breakdown: $3.5M from TI14 and ESL events, $1.5M sponsorships, $900K in streaming.
- Note: Poland’s most valuable digital athlete—featured in Forbes Poland 30 Under 30.
3. S1mple (Counter-Strike 2)
Even as CS:GO transitioned to CS2, S1mple stayed on top. Ukraine’s esports icon is not just a shooter but a brand.
- Revenue Streams: Major victory in 2025 ESL Cologne, Logitech ambassador, massive YouTube + Twitch audience.
- Total Deals: Estimated $1.5M annually in endorsements alone.
4. Maru (StarCraft II)
One of the last legends of StarCraft II, Maru continues to dominate the Korean scene, pulling in huge numbers on AfreecaTV and international tournaments.
- Earnings Breakdown: $2.1M prize money, $1.2M sponsorship, $1.8M via premium coaching, commentary, and fan subs.
- Bonus: Owns a training academy in Seoul—“Maru Gaming Lab.”
5. Clix (Fortnite)
Fortnite’s bad boy turned businessman, Clix, has leveraged both high-level play and massive Twitch fame to build a strong revenue machine.
- Brand Partners: HyperX, GFUEL, Adidas esports line.
- Streaming Revenue: ~$1.5M yearly from Kick deal + merch sales.
- Notable Moment: Won Fortnite Global Invitational in Tokyo.
6. ZywOo (CS2)
The French prodigy remains one of Counter-Strike’s most technically gifted players. Anchoring Team Vitality, ZywOo shines in both competition and personality.
- Revenue Sources: ESL major MVP + new partnership with Orange France.
- Fanbase: Rapidly growing YouTube channel, educational CS2 content.
7. M0NESY (CS2)
Once the young gun of G2, M0NESY has become a true star in 2025. With flashy plays and meme-worthy moments, he is a marketing magnet.
- Income Highlights: $3M in combined tournament and team salary + $1.4M via social media collabs.
- Crossover Appeal: Massive audience in both Eastern Europe and Latin America.
8. Topson (Dota 2)
Quiet but deadly, Topson made a high-profile comeback with OG this year. The two-time TI winner remains one of the smartest minds in the game.
- Recent Success: Top 3 finish at The International 2025.
- Side Ventures: Co-founder of an esports clothing line + Finnish youth charity.
9. Mongraal (Fortnite)
The UK’s most popular Fortnite creator, Mongraal, continues to merge pro play with entertainment.
- Deals: Kick streaming exclusivity ($900K/year), collabs with Puma, Acer Predator.
- Prize Money: $1.8M across 2025 season, including European LAN win.
10. TenZ (Valorant)
Valorant’s poster boy in NA, TenZ mixes insane aim with influencer charisma. Plays for Sentinels, but also builds an empire on the side.
- Key Income: Valorant Masters MVP, contracts with Finalmouse, XSET, and AimLab.
- Branding: Launched his own apparel label + mental health podcast for gamers.
How These Players Make Their Millions?
Success in esports today isn’t just about winning matches. It’s about building a brand, engaging a community, and diversifying income:
📺 Streaming & Creator Platforms
- Many players earn 6- to 7-figures through Twitch, Kick, or YouTube
- Kick deals (especially for Fortnite and CS players) can exceed $1M/year
- Subscription revenue, superchats, and merch boost passive income
🤝 Sponsorships & Endorsements
- Gaming peripherals (Razer, Logitech, HyperX) and lifestyle brands (Nike, Puma, Red Bull) dominate
- Top players often land multi-year contracts with equity or backend bonuses
🏆 Prize Money
- Games like Dota 2, CS2, and Fortnite still feature multimillion-dollar prize pools
- Teams take a cut, but top players retain large shares, especially in solo or duo events
🎮 Team Contracts & Equity
- Some veterans (like Faker, TenZ) now hold ownership stakes in their teams
- Salaries range from $250K to $2M/year, with incentives for placements
Trends in Esports Earnings (2025)
- Asia Dominates Top Tier: South Korea and China lead in pure prize money; NA and EU lead in streaming revenue
- Kick Disruption: Twitch still rules, but Kick and YouTube’s creator funds are shifting power dynamics
- Crossover With Traditional Sports: Players like S1mple and Clix now appear in global advertising alongside athletes from the NBA and Formula 1
- More Than Just Players: Many top earners are entrepreneurs, investors, and influencers—paving the way for a new generation of multi-platform stars
Conclusion: Welcome to the Age of the Digital Athlete
In 2025, the world’s best esports players are redefining what it means to be an athlete. They train with precision, entertain millions, influence product design, and own pieces of the industry they helped build. Their earnings rival the NFL, their audiences rival Hollywood, and their careers are no longer fleeting.
From Faker’s enduring empire to Clix’s crossover cool, these elite players prove one thing: this is no longer the future of sports—it’s the present. And the next billion-dollar gamer? They’re probably already streaming from their bedroom, preparing for the spotlight.
