E-sports

One of the Biggest Years Yet: Esports in 2024

By Ramon Domingo - December 28, 2024

It was a busy year full of triumphs and milestones across the world for esports.

As the year 2024 draws to a close, I think we can safely say that it’s been a packed year for esports in 2024 — both locally and internationally. It’s been a fantastic year and in no particular order, we wanted to take a quick trip down memory lane at some of the best esports events and moments of the year.

Here are some of 2024’s most memorable esports highlights.

AK, the Combo Breaker Champion – Combo Breaker 2024

It was Tekken 8’s debut year and all the pros were immediately on that grind to be on the top. The first few months of a new fighting game is when it’s most volatile but it’s where those who can quickly identify what’s strong are most rewarded.

One of the Biggest Years Yet - Esports in 2024
A triumph for a player with more than a decades worth second places. (Photo from Robert Paul)

That’s how it was for Alexandre “AK” Laverez, the best Tekken player in the Philippines. The forever second placer focused on his strengths and finally won his first major at Combo Breaker 2024. And in spectacular fashion too, taking down the Tekken GOAT Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique in the grand finals to go undefeated in the entire tournament. 

UMA, the Fighting Game Millionaire – Capcom Cup X

Speaking of firsts in fighting games, Capcom has been going hard in their pro scene for Street Fighter 6. In 2023 they announced that Capcom Cup X will be the very first fighting game tournament in the world to have a million-dollar grand prize. That all came to a head this year with the most unlikely of champions.

One of the beautiful things about fighting games is that anyone can become a champion regardless of region or sponsorships. Case in point: Wang “UMA” Yuan-hao, the silent killer from Taiwan who took those million dollars in the bag. The man’s a bit of an enigma and will stay that way as he’s decided to take his life-changing money and retire from competing altogether. Not a bad move for the fighting game’s first millionaire. 

It’s Finally Here – UAAP Season 87 Esports

This one is our personal highlight for esports in 2024. UAAP esports, a project that has been dreamed and talked about for years came to reality this year.

One of the Biggest Years Yet - Esports in 2024
It’s still amazing to think that we might be hearing more school cheers and anthems in esports tournaments in the future. (Photo from UAAP season 87 media team)

Granted, it was only a demonstration event and only featured three games. It also ran into some issues that dampened the overall experience of the event. But the spirit and excitement that the UAAP is known for was there. The passion of the players and fans throughout the whole event was evident and we’re hoping to see more of it next year.

The Esports Capital of the World – Esports World Cup 2024

Saudi Arabia has made some big investments in esports in 2024. Case in point: the debut of the Esports World Cup, the biggest and most expensive esports event in history. The two-month-long event featured 22 different games with many of them having million dollar prize pools. 

This was also where the MLBB Mid Season Cup was held. A momentous occasion as it’s the first time the tournament is being held outside of the SEA region. It’s also the first time an MLBB tournament would have a million-dollar prize pool, increasing the stakes in an already hyper-competitive scene. 

One of the Biggest Years Yet - Esports in 2024
Beating their nemesis on one of the biggest MLBB tournaments of the year makes the victory all the sweeter for Omega Empress. (Photo from Esports World Cup)

Unfortunately, the Philippines wouldn’t be taking this year’s MSC with Falcons AP.Bren bowing out to Malaysia’s Selangor Red Giants. However, that glory would go to our women’s team as Omega Empress would take down Team Vitality to become the MLBB Women’s Invitational champions and deny Indonesia the three-peat.

Bigger and Bigger – Evo 2024

If we’re talking about sheer volume, however, then nothing has Evo 2024 beat. The largest and longest-running open-bracket fighting game tournament in the world has seen record-breaking entrants for the past couple of years with 2024 being their biggest record yet.

In fact, with over 10,000 unique competitors, Evo 2024 holds the record for the most competitors in an esports tournament. Add to that the fans, developers, and personalities who attended the three-day event and numbers become downright staggering. Evo continuously lives up to being a celebration of all things fighting games and it’s truly a highlight for esports in 2024.

The Unkillable Demon King – Faker as the Hall of Legends Inaugural Inductee 

If you’re a League of Legends fan, or even remotely following esports in general, the news of Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok becoming the first inductee to Riot’s Hall of Legends should not have come as a surprise. Many would say that it’s about time that the first and only five-time world champion was commemorated in some way.

One of the Biggest Years Yet - Esports in 2024
It’s poetic that Faker would win his fifth world championship in his Hall of Legends inaugural year. (Photo from LoL Esports Photos)

Faker’s career is a long and well-documented one. It won’t take you long to find out why Faker is not just one of the best League of Legends pro players but also one of the best esports athletes in the world. And the best part is that even after 11 years of playing professionally, his story is still not done. His longevity is going to go beyond what he’s done in esports in 2024 and we can’t wait to see it.

The Philippine Era Continues – M6 World Championship

Capping off our year of esports in 2024, Fnatic ONIC Philippines extends the Philippine era of dominance in MLBB. The Super Family weathered the storm of doubts and expectations, bringing home a fifth world championship to the Philippines.

One of the Biggest Years Yet - Esports in 2024
Fnatic ONIC is now the fourth Filipino team to win a world championship. (Photo from MOONTON Games)

It’s a heartwarming story of a mediocre team made up of mediocre players gelling together in just the right time and in the right way. At the end of the day, skill and mechanics may be important but it’s synergy and teamwork that’ll win championships.

Banner photos from Esports World Cup, Mobile Legends Esports, Vexanie, and the UAAP season 87 media team.

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