The Most Memorable Esports Moments of 2024: A Year in Review
The competitive gaming landscape reached new heights in 2024, delivering an array of unforgettable moments across multiple titles. From technical mishaps to clutch plays, these incidents captivated millions of viewers and shaped the narrative of professional gaming throughout the year.
Counter-Strike 2: Technical Drama and Clutch Moments
The competitive CS2 scene witnessed several dramatic moments, none more controversial than the PGL Major Copenhagen incident involving Virtus.pro’s Jame. During a crucial 11-11 match point against G2 Esports, Jame experienced a devastating computer crash that left his character exposed with an active bomb. This technical failure ultimately contributed to VP’s elimination from the tournament.
IEM Cologne 2024 provided a lighter moment when a fortunate fan opened a valuable Ursus Doppler knife case live on broadcast, capturing the excitement of the CS2 community. Meanwhile, Team Spirit’s donk demonstrated extraordinary skill with a remarkable 1v5 clutch against HEROIC at the Shanghai Major, highlighting the team’s dominance in the new CS2 era.
VALORANT: Emotional Victories and Strategic Innovation
VALORANT’s competitive scene delivered both emotional and tactical highlights. VCT Masters Madrid saw an emotional moment when streamer Kyedae watched her fiancé TenZ lead Sentinels to victory in a thrilling 3-2 final against Gen.G. The tournament also showcased tactical innovation, particularly when G2 Esports employed an unconventional strategy on the new Abyss map, choosing a coordinated team jump to deny their opponents resources.
The year concluded with EDward Gaming’s triumph at Champions 2024, featuring Kang Kang’s exceptional 4K play that secured match point in the finals against Team Heretics, marking a historic victory for Chinese VALORANT.
League of Legends: T1’s Year of Dramatic Plays
League of Legends produced several memorable moments, particularly from T1. During the LCK Spring 2024 Finals, T1’s Keria executed an impressive Quadra Kill against Gen.G in a crucial dragon fight. However, the most significant highlight came from Faker at Worlds 2024, where he orchestrated a game-changing 3v5 teamfight victory against Bilibili Gaming in the final match, leading T1 to claim the World Championship.
Mobile Esports: Rising Stars and Dramatic Finishes
The mobile esports scene continued its growth, with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang delivering spectacular plays. Fnatic ONIC’s Alberttt provided one of the year’s most impressive defensive stands with a 1v4 clutch during MPL Indonesia Season 14. TODAK’s Cikugais contributed another memorable moment with an innovative base rush that decided a crucial playoff match.
Emerging Trends and Community Impact
2024 marked significant growth for newer competitive titles, particularly in the mobile space. Brawl Stars achieved record-breaking viewership at its World Finals, while established games like PUBG Mobile saw emerging teams like Dagestan 77 challenge the status quo.
Team BDS’s second Rocket League World Championship victory provided one of the year’s most emotional moments, particularly resonating with the French esports community. The victory served as a fitting farewell to their roster under the BDS banner.
The year’s highlights weren’t limited to gameplay moments. Community reactions, broadcast personality interactions (like SUNSfan’s memorable commentary during DreamLeague Season 22), and the continuing evolution of esports production all contributed to a landmark year for competitive gaming.
Looking Forward
As we move into 2025, these moments from 2024 stand as testaments to esports’ growing influence in entertainment. From technical dramas to clutch performances, each highlight contributed to the narrative of professional gaming’s continued evolution. The industry’s ability to create compelling stories and moments across diverse games and platforms suggests an even brighter future ahead for competitive gaming.