Fortnite World Cup kicks off with $30m at stake

Players as young as 12 will compete in the event, marking Fortnite: Battle Royale's entry into the lucrative professional games tournament circuit

After 10 weeks of open qualifiers attracting more than 40 million competitors, the Fortnite World Cup finals will be held this weekend in New York. Up for grabs for the 100 qualifiers - many of whom are between 12 and 16 years old - is a total prize pot of $30m, the largest ever for an esports event.

With more than 250 million players, Fortnite: Battle Royale has become one of the most popular video games in the world since its launch in 2017. The World Cup represents the title's entry into the lucrative world of professional games tournament circuits, where revenues are set to pass $1bn this year, due to exploding sponsorship, advertising and broadcast rights.