Who Are the Top-Earning Valorant Pros—and How Did They Get There

The Valorant Esports scene has significantly evolved over the last few years, attracting many talented players who are trying to make an impact in this fast-paced shooter game. As competitive gaming evolves, certain players have emerged as Champions and high earners, thanks to tournaments, sponsorships, and a growing fanbase. In this article, we will look at Valorant’s highest-earning pros from tournaments and examine how they achieved this milestone.

The Rise of Valorant Esports

Valorant, released by Riot Games in June 2020, rapidly captured the attention of gamers worldwide. Combining elements from various popular titles like CS:GO and Overwatch, Valorant became a canvas for strategists and sharpshooters alike. By early 2023, it was clear that Valorant had established itself as a major player in the esports ecosystem, with competitive leagues and championships offering substantial prize pools.

Key Points:

• Valorant has become a world Esports sensation since it came out in June 2020.
• Many players make money from these tournaments like VCT, which offer an incredible prize pool.
• Professional players enjoy additional earnings through sponsorships and merchandise.

Who Are Valorant Top Earners?

Many players strive to become the next Valorant Champion; during this journey, many fail, and only a few get to taste the victory. Those who win get to keep the prize pool money and climb to the top earner in the Valorant scene, so here is a list of the top earners from the prize pool money:

Jake “Boaster” Howlett

Jake “Boaster” Howlett

Coming from Britain, the talented IGL for Team Fnatic has won several regional and international tournaments. His creativity and thoughtful decision-making are always present in the game, and he ranks seventh in our list, making over 200,000 dollars in prize pool money.

Alexander “jawgemo” Mor

Alexander “jawgemo” Mor

In 2023, jawgemo, alongside  Evil Guinness, won the Champions and was named one of the best teams of that year; with that victory, jawgemo climbed the highest-paid Valorant athletes in Valorant with a total of $258,906 in prize pool money.

Erick “aspas” Santos

Erick “aspas” Santosfutur

Aspas is one of the most well-known players in Valorant Esports‘ history. His consistency over the years has led him to multiple trophies with different teams. The Brazillian superstar has collected an estimated $261,619 in his career. Aspas will win more medals shortly, pushing him closer to the number-one spot.

Kelden “Boostio” Pupello

Kelden “Boostio” Pupello

A 24-year-old IGL, currently for Team 100 Thieves but previously for Evil Guinness, helped his team win Champions 2023, which gave it a little boost to make this list of the highest-paid Valorant Pros, making a total of $273,136. Boostio had a significant impact on making EG a winning team since, before that year, EG couldn’t even qualify for international events.

Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov

Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov

Chronicle has one of the best Valorant careers a player can ask for, winning three international tournaments. Two of those victories were with team Fnatic. His talent speaks for itself, as he has maintained the same level of performance over the years. This outstanding performance made him $238,571 in prize pool money.

Ethan “Ethan” Arnold

Ethan “Ethan” Arnold

Before coming to Valorant, Ethan was a CSGO player. In early 2021, Ethan made the move and switched to Valorant, joining 100 Thieves. Ethan quickly became a strong figure in the Valorant Pro Scene and was named one of the best Flex players. Two years later, Ethan joined Evil Guinness and also won the Champions 2023, which boosted his revenues to $288,266, an excellent achievement for a player who had been in the game for only two years. 

Corbin “C0M” Lee

Corbin “C0M” Lee

Lastly, on the top of the list is none other than the phenomenal player C0M. His dedication to the game is finally shown by him also winning Champions 2023 alongside his old teammate. C0M is well known for his clutches and critical thinking during the games, ultimately leading to him making around $327,366 and being at the top of the leaderboard regarding prize pool money. To this day, C0M is committed and gives complete power to the game. He is currently playing with Leviatán and his ex-teammate Demon1.

How Did They Get There?

The path to being a Champion is not easy, which is why many of these players work so hard to make history in Valorant Esports. Being in the right mindset is the key. Here are some common traits and factors that have helped these players excel:

Past Experience in Competitive Gaming

Several top Valorant pros, like Ethan and Jawgemo, transitioned from other competitive games, providing them with much experience. Their ability to adapt strategies from previous titles has given them a competitive edge.

Consistent Performance in Tournaments

Participation in major tournaments is critical. All the players on this list share this feature. Being consistent is the way to winning. A player who puts out the same level of performance will always see the bright side.

Team Dynamics and Chemistry

The common thing about Esport and other sports is teamwork. Good chemistry between players will always top the bad one, even if the other team is more talented. Successful teams build synergy through practice, communication, and mutual respect, which enhances performance in high-stakes situations, ultimately impacting earnings.

Next Steps

As Valorant evolves, new tournaments and initiatives will further shape the competitive landscape. To stay updated on the latest trends on who is winning and how to break into the scene, follow community news and official Valorant announcements closely.

What are your current thoughts on the Valorant Esports situation? Who will top this list this year? Join the conversation in the comment section down below!