The debate over whether consoles or PCs dominate in eSports has been going on for years. For some, the PS or XBOX platforms (or at least controllers) are a comfortable entry point into competitive gaming. While others argue that the PC is the true foundation of pro cybersport. In reality, both platforms have their strengths, and their value depends on what aspect of esports we analyse: prize pools, popularity, or accessibility.

Consoles: Equal Footing and Sports Vibes

One of the biggest selling points of consoles is the level playing field. eSports bettors can choose from dozens of bookmakers to bet on their favorite games. Rainbow Six Siege alone is covered by several top bookies, neatly gathered on this page.

eSports players, on the other hand, don’t have many choices. Everyone must run the same hardware, with the same controllers, at the same frame rates. The only exceptions are Rainbow Six Siege, Rocket League, and Fortnite, where pro players decide for themselves which platform they will play on.

At most eSports events, you can see players who prefer to play as they like: be at mouth+keyboard or PS controller. But the main condition is that the game must run through consoles. Consoles thrive because they guarantee a standard setup: same hardware, same controllers, same performance.

Console eSport Events

The clearest example is FIFA. EA runs the EA Sports FC Pro Open with global qualifiers and live finals. The prize pools start from $500,000, so that’s good money for console gaming at all. How about NBA 2K? The league plays entirely on console, with prize money of around $2.5 million. Then there’s Call of Duty, which has historically been a console-first eSport game, and Rainbow Six Siege, which, compared to other FPS games, has a good audience (mainly from North America).

PC Still Holds the Crown

But when it comes to the biggest eSports disciplines, the PC remains in the lead. Games like Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and League of Legends are real bangers that combine: hype around each event, huge prize money, advertising, 100k+ online viewers around the world, and fame.

On the one hand, these are still games. On the other hand, you won’t be able to play as cool in CS 2 or any MOBA games via console or at least a controller. This is a kind of “VIP Club” of gamers, which you won’t be able to get into if you’ve preferred console gameplay.

PC eSports Events

PC eSports was the earliest and gained momentum much faster than any console. The first $1 million eSport tournament was in Dota 2. The same game has the largest prize pool in the history of eSports (over $40 million at TI 2021).

Another competing MOBA to Dota, League of Legends is today an example of how to organize eSports: full control of events, each region has its own leagues, and then entry into the LoL World Championships with over $6 million prize pool.

CS: GO and now CS2 Majors have been the backbone of competitive PC gaming for over two decades. It all started with $10k-20k prizes, and today it is at least $500,000 or $1 million each.

eSport Market Review

Analysts like Newzoo point out that console gambling software has been growing fast and has led growth with +7% (+2.6% for PC). But still, the eSport niche is tied to PC titles. That’s why sponsors and advertising in general put their money into PC games and tournaments like the Esports World Cup, The International, and CS2 Major.

And in general, a PS5 for $500 and some custom controller for $75 is much cheaper than building a full-gaming setup with 120+ FPS. But in this case, the list of games becomes limited: FIFA, NBA 2K + some other sports titles and games that support cross-play remain the only options. No MOBA, no TCC, but at least Call of Duty.

Who Wins?

So, console or PC? Who wins? In simple words, they don’t need to. PC is the main hub for global eSports with the biggest tournaments and the highest stakes. Consoles are the gateway, linking competitive gaming to mainstream sports and keeping the barriers to entry low. And in between, cross-platform titles are proving that the future of eSports might not care what you play on, just how well you play.