15 Amazing Photos of Sold-Out eSports Tournaments
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1. Natus Vincere Takes on the Alliance
The International Dota 2 Championship has grown to become the highest-paying eSports tournament in the world. Above, fans have filled Benaroya Hall to capacity while they watch Natus Vincere take on The Alliance.
2. In the Heart of the Storm
This giant crowd assembled for a StarCraft II: Heart of the Storm DreamHack tournament that took place in in Tours, France. (Image by Adela Sznajder)
3. Absolutely Stoked for Blizzcon
The crowd goes wild during the opening ceremonies of BlizzCon 2010 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The famous StarCraft II Invitational took place at this event, with Genius of Team ZeNEX taking home the 1st place prize of $25,000.
4. Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm caused quite a stir recently when ESPN2 decided to broadcast the championship round of Blizzard's collegiate tournament for the game. Love it or hate it, eSports like Heroes of the Storm are taking the world by ... well, you know.
5. DreamHack Winter 2014
The opening festivities at DreamHack Winter 2014 were suitably lavish, considering it's the biggest computer festival in the world. Tournaments were held for a number of games, such as Counter-Strike: GO, Hearthstone, and League of Legends. (Image by Jennika Ojala)
6. League of Legends
Fans give a standing cheer for pro League of Legends players gathered in Athens, Greece. The Gazi Music Hall reached its full capacity with champions, junglers, feeders and more.
7. Raising Hell With World of Tanks
The Hellraisers team wins the final game of the World of Tanks Grand Finals 2015. This April event was held in Warsaw, Poland, as part of the Wargaming.net League.
8. MVP vs. Nestea
BlizzCon continues to be an astoundingly popular destination for eSports fans, with 2011's Starcraft II matchup between MVP and Nestea amassing a giant crowd of spectators. After a hard-fought tournament, MVP trounced the opposition and took home $50,000.
9. Intel Extreme Masters in Katowice
Top players from around the world gathered in Poland to compete in League of Legends and StarCraft II for the Intel Extreme Masters tournament in 2013.
10. A Battle to the Death in the City of Goodwill
You can feel the tension in this awesome shot of The Alliance versus Natus Vincere battle during The International Dota 2 Championship in Seattle, Washington.
11. Team Newbee Competes Like Pros
Don't let their name fool you: Team Newbee once won $5 million in The International Dota 2 Grand Finals. Above, they're pictured competing in another Dota 2 match during ChinaJoy 2014, held in Shanghai.
12. Moving Up In the World!
Schuyler Wireman can't contain his excitement when The Alliance wins first place during The International Dota 2 Championship in 2013.
13. The Coming of the Storm
It just came out in 2014, but the multiplayer online battle arena game SMITE has already skyrocketed to worldwide popularity. Team Titan coach Job Hilbers watches from the wings as his crew battles OMG from China at the SMITE World Championship in Atlanta.
14. Australian Fnatics vs. Swedish Ninjas
With the release of Global Offensive, Counter-Strike entered a new era of popularity with pro FPS gamers. The finals of the CS:GO ESL One tournament play out on giant screens as the Australians and the Swedes battle for the title of world champs.
15. The Sweet Taste of Victory
Kelly Ong Xiao Wei and Alex Garfield react with stunned disbelief when their team, The Alliance, won first place during The International Dota 2 Championship in 2013.