As the ALGS Open in New Orleans approaches, Apex Legends appears to be cementing its position as one of the most prominent esports titles of 2025 so far.
It is emerging as a close rival to Fortnite, with recent statistics indicating that the hero-based shooter may be on track to surpass one of the most iconic names in competitive gaming.
Apex Legends Climbs the Ranks
According to recent rankings from Esports Charts, Apex Legends currently holds a higher position than Fortnite among the top competitive games, despite having hosted fewer events throughout the 2025 season.
Apex Legends, now placed sixth, has organized two major events this year — the ALGS 2024 Championships and the 13YOG x Redragon League grand finals. Together, these tournaments have amassed a prize pool exceeding $2 million and peaked at over 540,000 viewers.
In comparison, Fortnite sits just below in seventh place, despite nearly 30 events already taking place in 2025. Its highlight has been the Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS) 2025 Majors in Europe, which drew a peak audience of 480,000. The total prize pool for Fortnite so far this year stands at approximately $2.3 million.
Despite recent budget reductions, particularly in accommodations, publisher EA is making clear efforts to scale the Apex Legends esports ecosystem. The upcoming ALGS Open, scheduled from May 1 to May 4, 2025, will welcome 160 teams worldwide competing for a $1 million prize.
A New Era for Apex Legends?
Apex Legends’ momentum could signal a pivotal shift in the ongoing rivalry between the two games. Historically, Fortnite has enjoyed more consistent success within the competitive landscape, but signs suggest that 2025 might chart a new direction.
Although Apex Legends is gaining traction, it’s still premature to definitively claim that it has overtaken Fortnite in the esports hierarchy.
In 2024, Fortnite had a commanding lead in nearly every metric. That year, it hosted over 370 tournaments and offered a total prize pool of $12.8 million. Its FNCS 2024 Global Championship reached a peak viewership of over 800,000 — a figure far beyond Apex Legends’ highest numbers.
Both games are confirmed to participate in this year’s Esports World Cup, which features the most prestigious esports organizations globally. During the previous event, Fortnite was the more watched of the two, averaging over 25,000 viewers and reaching a peak of nearly 73,000.
With ALGS Year 5 shaping up to be the largest installment yet, the question remains whether Apex Legends will finally claim the top spot — or if Fortnite will continue to dominate the competitive scene.