When it comes to eSports, the competitions can get intense with millions of people tuning in and millions of dollars of prize money at stake. There are specific kinds of competitions players can enter to win large cash prizes in the industry. The competitions follow similar formats but are unique in certain ways. Here we'll break down two of the major forms of competition- eSports leagues and teams, and all of the major players in the gaming arena.
What is an eSports league?
Similar to eSports tournaments, an eSports league is a competition between players. The difference is that a league is a longer form of competition that generally will take place over several weeks. Think of a league as a larger form of a tournament, divided into divisions and smaller competitions between players. After many rounds of smaller competitions within divisions of players, a league will turn into a tournament to pit the winners against each other and determine the final champ.
Is there a professional eSports league?
There are several professional eSports leagues in the industry that take place around the world. Some of these include the ESL Pro League, the Overwatch League, and the League of Legends Championship Series. Some popular teams in the League of Legends Championship Series include TSM, Cloud9, and Immortals. TSM is a very well-known team, both in the US and globally. They have won the League of Legends Championship Series six times now.1
How many eSports leagues are there?
Around the world, there are hundreds of different eSports leagues taking place, but a few stand out as some of the most popular. For example, League of Legends has 12 different leagues around the world. There are about 180 professional eSports teams around the world competing in leagues and tournaments.
Which eSports team is the richest?
The eSports team with the highest net worth is currently Team Liquid. Team Liquid's total prize money earned exceeds 42 million dollars over the course of over 2300 tournaments. Team Liquid is involved in various types of games starting out in Starcraft and making its way into games like Dota 2 and World of Warcraft.2 Since 2017, Team Liquid has been ranked the highest in terms of prize money earnings.
What is the #1 eSports team?
Team Liquid is also considered the #1 eSports team in terms of earnings, success, and experience. Playing in over 2300 tournaments, Team Liquid has more experience than any other eSports team.2 Some of the games that Team Liquid has excelled in include Dota, Counter-Strike, and StarCraft. Other top-earning teams include OG, Evil Geniuses, and Team Spirit.
However in the year 2022, Team Liquid is actually not at the top of the roster. The #1 team this year is Tundra Esports, earning over 9 million dollars in 2022, according to Esports Earnings.2
Which eSports team is the most successful?
Team Liquid is considered the most successful team to date. The team was founded in the year 2000 and is revered as one of the most respected teams in the industry. The team is known for their victory in The International 2017 Dota 2 Championships, where they took home over $10 million according to Esports Earnings. Team Liquid continues to play in many tournaments today.
Why is League of Legends an eSport?
League of Legends is not just any eSport, but one of the largest. The game has various global tournaments every year. League of Legends is considered an eSport because the video game is played competitively and professionally for cash prizes around the world. League of Legends has definitely become a fan favorite, with professional tournaments for the game recurring since 2011. The 2021 League of Legends World Championship was the latest major tournament for the eSport.
League of Legends is a strategy game in which two teams of five players face off against each other. The object of the game is to destroy the other team's base or Nexus. The game comes with over 140 different characters or "champions" to choose from.3 One reason why League of Legends may have gained such popularity is that it is free to play. The game is also very fair given that paying for special features does not give a player any advantage. This fairness and accessibility may be why so many have become attached to the game.
What is the most effective Nootropic?
One type of supplement used to enhance the performance of eSports players is Nootropics. These supplements are designed to stimulate the brain and improve performance. They are also called "Smart Drugs" and are best known to enhance cognitive performance. Nootropics increase cognitive functions such as memory, creativity, motivation, and attention. The supplements have even been used to treat memory disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.4
A popular Nootropic, Citicoline (branded as Cognizin) has been shown to improve human vigilance, arousal, visual working memory, and oxidative stress.5 In a study done on 40 adults, published in the journal of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Citicoline was shown to improve all of these cognitive factors. This makes Citicoline or Cognizin one of the best Nootropics an eSports athlete can take. eSports players are required to remember details, think on their feet, and make quick decisions. All of which are stimulated and promoted by Cognizin. You can find Nootropics with Cognizin in Myprotein's Command line of Nootropics.
The Command line is unique in that its products are created by nutritional experts and adhere to the highest quality standards. Command adds additional ingredients to their Nootropics to give gamers a supplement that will cover all the bases. With caffeine, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin C, Command Nootropics support players in every aspect- cognitive function, vision, fatigue, and focus. Our Nootropics also contain no added sugar, because the goal is to stimulate athletes in a healthy way, and not give an unnecessary sugar rush that will cause a crash later.
We offer grape and lemon-lime flavored Nootropics that taste great and will give you that extra boost you need to perform. Our Nootropics come in powder form and are easily dissolved in water.
Do Nootropics actually work?
There have been many studies to date demonstrating the positive effects of Nootropics. The supplements mainly improve cognitive function, but do not have an immediate effect and should be taken long-term to see results. 6 They are used to help improve chronic memory and consciousness conditions, as well as learning disorders.6 In terms of eSports, the substances are used to stimulate neural activity and promote alertness and memory functioning in players. Nootropics are shown to be very well tolerated and in most cases do not cause any side effects.6
Gaming Nutrition
In addition to supplements like Nootropics, the best way for gamers to feel and perform their best is to have proper nutrition. When it comes to nutrition, eSports athletes are not that different from traditional athletes.
In his blog on eSports nutrition, Myprotein expert Jamie Wright emphasizes that two of the most important nutrients for a healthy diet for eSports players are Omega 3 fatty acids and protein. You can find Omega 3 fatty acids in foods like fish and seafood (salmon, mackerel, etc.), olive oil, avocado, and flaxseeds. You can also supplement with Omega 3's if you're not getting enough from food alone.
Find more foods with Omega 3's here:
16 Foods High In Omega 3
Who knew black walnuts and navy beans were a thing?
Wright also explains that protein is important for any athlete and helps to regulate blood glucose levels, which in turn, support cognitive function. Foods high in protein include fish, meat, and dairy like yogurt. An easy way to get enough protein in is to supplement with a protein powder. Myprotein offers plenty of protein powder options.
Wright also recommends avoiding foods high in added sugars and prioritizing complex carbs and fiber to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. A great diet to follow for overall health is the Mediterranean diet. Read his full blog on eSports nutrition here.
Take Home Message
There you have it, that's all the basics on eSports, leagues, teams, and gaming nutrition. If you're interested in eSports and don't know where to start, try League of Legends, it's free after all. And if you're not a player, no worries. You can still participate in the community by watching tournaments online and rooting for your favorite teams.
eSports has come a long way since its creation, and the industry is continuing to grow and expand. And although eSports may not be as physically exerting as traditional sports, the cognitive abilities professional players must have to win are no joke. If you're interested in learning more about eSports, check out our Ultimate Guide to eSports blog for information about the industry and how eSports relates to traditional sports.
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Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you're concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet.
1. Meet the teams. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2022, from https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/featured/worlds-2017-meet-the-teams/
2. Team Liquid – Esports Team Summary. Esports Earnings. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2022, from https://www.esportsearnings.com/teams/102-team-
3. How to play – league of legends. leagueoflegends.com. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2022, from https://www.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/how-to-play/
4. Suliman, N. A., Mat Taib, C. N., Mohd Moklas, M. A., Adenan, M. I., Hidayat Baharuldin, M. T., & Basir, R. (2016). Establishing natural nootropics: Recent molecular enhancement influenced by natural nootropic. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. Retrieved November 27, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5021479/
5. Al-Kuraishy, H. M., & Al-Gareeb, A. I. (2020, July 1). Citicoline improves human vigilance and visual working memory: The role of neuronal activation and oxidative stress. Basic and clinical neuroscience. Retrieved November 27, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7878037/
6. Malík, M., & Tlustoš, P. (2022, August 17). Nootropics as cognitive enhancers: Types, dosage and side effects of smart drugs. Nutrients. Retrieved November 27, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9415189/
A Rutgers University Honors graduate, Jamie grew up on the Jersey shore and double majored in Comparative Literature and Anthropology in college. Jamie is an experienced writer in the health and wellness, biotech, and eCommerce fields. She loves writing with a purpose and has even written for the Department of Justice.
Jamie became drawn to exercise during her time in university and began to notice the physical and mental benefits of moving your body daily. Today, Jamie enjoys Pilates, light weight training, and going on long walks in nature daily.
Jamie is also passionate about eating right and prioritizing gut health and immunity. She is always trying the next innovation in health and wellness. When she’s not writing articles, Jamie enjoys reading, playing guitar, and finding dogs to play with.
