Games used to be something you played after school or work. Now they’ve become a whole industry. Some tournaments offer millions in prize money.
Players turn into stars, and fans follow every move. Esports is a real career now, and it often starts with a regular game. Canada is not staying behind. There are big tournaments here, too, crazy fans, and players who know how to win on the world stage. Let’s take a look at the top five biggest esports events in Canada.
Esports betting in Canada – What’s Going On
Before we dive into the tournaments, let’s talk about something that’s been growing right alongside them — esports betting.
Honestly, just a couple of years ago, very few people in Canada took esports betting seriously. Watching a match — sure, cheering for your team — of course. But betting money on the outcome? That seemed kind of odd. And now, look at what’s happening: every major CS:GO, Valorant, or League of Legends tournament feels like a celebration. People aren’t just watching — they’re playing along with the teams, but in their own way. Through betting.
Now, almost every self-respecting online casino in Canada has added an esports section to their arsenal. And it’s not just about "betting on the team to win." You’ve got live betting during the match, streams, and even themed slots based on your favorite online casino games. While there's a break between maps, you can spin a slot machine styled like Valorant or head over to a live dealer table to change up the pace.
Canada has really fallen in love with esports over the past few years. What was once an entertainment option for the "chosen few" has now become a part of everyday life. It’s no longer just about matches — we’ve got a whole industry here where betting, spectacle, and excitement merge into one lively experience.
The Biggest Esports Tournaments in Canada
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Esports events are blowing up. Some of them draw as much attention as big sports matches. Canada is keeping pace, so let’s break down the top Esports tournaments in the country.
Saints Gauntlet Series
Let’s take it to campus — but still keep the controllers in hand. The Saints Gauntlet Series is a college esports event hosted by St. Clair College. And let’s be honest, it’s breaking all the rules. Students play Overwatch, Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Valorant. And they don’t hold back. In fact, some of the matches feel like full-on pro battles. This is where new stars show up. You don’t have to be a veteran to make waves here.
Six Invitational
If you are a fan of Rainbow Six Siege, the Six Invitational is a tournament that you have been dreaming of. The Six Invitational is the name of the event that crowns the yearly world champion of the game. The event will be held in Ubisoft’s headquarters. Each year, the best 16 teams from around the world gather here to play it out and establish the winner. And this is not just for the sake of entertainment; there are some very serious amounts of green involved. In 2020, the prize pool had passed the a $3 million mark.
Lan ETS
Picture a giant hall packed with gamers. You hear keyboards clicking, people shouting after wins, screens flashing, and the whole place buzzing. That’s Lan ETS. It’s the biggest LAN event in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Each year, more than 3,000 people show up — from amateurs to pros to die-hard fans. The games? All the hits: League of Legends, CS:GO, Overwatch, Rocket League, Valorant. Think of it like a gamer version of Woodstock — but with Wi-Fi and RGB lights.
Canada Cup
If you are passionate about action games like Street Fighter or the Tekken series and don’t mind playing Super Smash Bros., Canada Cup should be a familiar name. This event was initially inaugurated in 2009, and since then, it has become an immense celebratory carnival for all kinds of action game lovers. Here, the competitions are extremely fierce, and the turnarounds become nothing short of a spectacle, all while keeping the crowd’s excitement at the very top.
Mid-Season Invitational 2025
Vancouver is hosting one of the biggest League of Legends tournaments — MSI 2025. It’s a key part of the season where top teams from all over the world battle it. The event will be hosted from June 27th to July 12th at the Pacific Coliseum. It seems like a cyber Olympics this year. The new thing in 2021 is the Fearless Draft. No two teams can choose the same champion more than once in a series. In other words, they have to prepare new strategies for every game.