As we've covered before, esports and 'Fortnite' is big, big business.
By 2022, it's estimated that the esports industry will be worth $1.8 billion, and the prize money for gaming tournaments is now on the same level as traditional sports. Take, for example, this weekend's 'Fortnite' World Cup.
For this year's solo winners, the first prize winner will walk away with $3 million, whilst second prize takes $1.8 million. At the 2018 Wimbledon Open, considered to be the foremost tennis tournament, the first prize money is £2.25 million. Convert that to dollars and you get $2.7 million, $300,000 less than the 'Fornite' World Cup winner.
It doesn't end there, either. The duo teams for the 'Fortnite' World Cup also pick up $3 million together, far beyond the Wimbledon Doubles winners who receive £450,000 each.
The runner-ups, as well, earn more money than Wimbledon runner-ups. Second place at Wimbledon can earn a player £1.125 million, however second place at the 'Fortnite' World Cup earns a player $1.8 million. Even when you convert to dollars, Wimbledon's prize money falls short of 'Fortnite' by over $400,000.
All told, the prize pool for this year's 'Fortnite' World Cup tops out at $30 million, which is definitely less than Wimbledon's $39.124 million. However, while Wimbledon hosts invitationals, wheelchair singles and doubles, as well covering men and women's prize moneys, 'Fortnite' merely has solo and duo brackets and is open to men and women alike.
There's also Irish interest this year at the 'Fortnite' World Cup, as Joshua 'lolb0om' Juliano is now into the finals of the 'Fortnite' World Cup solos, and is currently competing in New York.
