scorecard
  1. Home
  2. slideshows
  3. miscellaneous
  4. The $30 million Fortnite World Cup was a spectacular esports experience for fans and players alike. Here's what it was like to attend

The $30 million Fortnite World Cup was a spectacular esports experience for fans and players alike. Here's what it was like to attend

Thousands of 'Fortnite' fans packed into a sold-out Arthur Ashe Stadium for the Fortnite World Cup.

The $30 million Fortnite World Cup was a spectacular esports experience for fans and players alike. Here's what it was like to attend
Slideshows1 min read

The stadium grounds were transformed into a massive fan festival with carnival games, interactive rides, and a game show for attendees.

The stadium grounds were transformed into a massive fan festival with carnival games, interactive rides, and a game show for attendees.

Tons of costumed 'Fortnite' characters filled the festival, and fans were able to pose with their favorites.

Tons of costumed

Some of the festival activities were pretty intense, like this zip line that let you ride a 'Fortnite' glider.

Some of the festival activities were pretty intense, like this zip line that let you ride a

A game show at the festival tested the players knowledge of 'Fortnite' in exchange for prizes.

A game show at the festival tested the players knowledge of

The baller obstacle course let fans hop into a "zorb," a ball-shaped vehicle you can ride in 'Fortnite.'

The baller obstacle course let fans hop into a "zorb," a ball-shaped vehicle you can ride in

Another event let 'Fortnite' fans duke it out on a balance beam in the style of "American Gladiators."

Another event let

A shooting range featured replica Nerf weapons from 'Fortnite.'

A shooting range featured replica Nerf weapons from

Not everyone was in a rush to try all the activities. Some fans just took their time to enjoy the summer weather before the competition.

Not everyone was in a rush to try all the activities. Some fans just took their time to enjoy the summer weather before the competition.

The inside of Arthur Ashe Stadium was completely transformed for the Fortnite World Cup, too.

The inside of Arthur Ashe Stadium was completely transformed for the Fortnite World Cup, too.

Live video of every player was broadcast on huge monitors in the center of the arena, while broadcast announcers followed the action.

Live video of every player was broadcast on huge monitors in the center of the arena, while broadcast announcers followed the action.

Thousands packed into the stadium to watch the World Cup Finals, and tens of thousands more watched live streams of the event online through YouTube and Twitch.

Thousands packed into the stadium to watch the World Cup Finals, and tens of thousands more watched live streams of the event online through YouTube and Twitch.

The stage included enough PC setups for 100 players to compete at once.

The stage included enough PC setups for 100 players to compete at once.

Tyler "Ninja" Blevins is the most well-known 'Fortnite' player in the world, but he didn't qualify for the main tournaments. Instead, he played in the Pro-Am and Creative events on Friday.

Tyler "Ninja" Blevins is the most well-known

Ninja and Marshmello won the 2018 Fortnite Pro-Am tournament in Los Angeles last year, and they teamed up again at the Fortnite World Cup.

Ninja and Marshmello won the 2018 Fortnite Pro-Am tournament in Los Angeles last year, and they teamed up again at the Fortnite World Cup.

'Fortnite' pro Airwaks and EDM artist RL Grimes managed to defend their 2019 Pro-Am tournament win with another stellar performance at the Fortnite World Cup.

In the Creative Mode tournament, the four players of team Fish Fam managed to rake in $1,345,000 in prize money.

In the Creative Mode tournament, the four players of team Fish Fam managed to rake in $1,345,000 in prize money.

Duos tournament champions Nyhrox and Aqua won $1.5 million each while representing Cooler esports.

Duos tournament champions Nyhrox and Aqua won $1.5 million each while representing Cooler esports.

Kyle "Bugha" Giersdorf, 16, is the first-ever Fortnite World Cup solo champion, earning $3 million.

Kyle "Bugha" Giersdorf, 16, is the first-ever Fortnite World Cup solo champion, earning $3 million.

He was joined on stage by his family and Epic Games employees to celebrate his win.

He was joined on stage by his family and Epic Games employees to celebrate his win.

Bugha's victory ended a fairy-tale weekend for dozens of 'Fortnite' players and thousands of fans.

Bugha
Newsletter BI Logo
BI NEWSLETTER

Get your weekly dose of essential news delivered right to you, plus explore a world of insights with our diverse newsletter subscription options.

  • Weekly newsletter
  • Uncover the latest in Tech, Finance, Business, and more
  • Handpicked web stories, in-depth articles, and expert analyses
Copylink BI



Advertisement