Photograph by Adela Sznajder by way of Riot Video games
There is a motive why LoL esports is extra widespread than Dota 2.
Whereas there has remained a relentless argument about whether or not Dota 2 is a greater recreation than League of Legends, the query of their reputation has by no means been doubtful. League is the extra widespread title throughout the planet, and like a long-time Dota 2 fan lately realized, for good motive, too.
Reddit consumer u/JunsBaseball lately posted on the League of Legends subreddit, stating they lastly understood why League is extra widespread than Dota 2 by visiting their first esports occasion for the Riot title, MSI 2025. They confessed that the electrical environment and fast-paced gameplay are the first causes that may make them need to tune in to look at this as a substitute of Dota 2.
What’s behind LoL’s reputation over Dota 2?
“The stadium was packed from the start to the top. So many individuals donned jerseys and confirmed humorous banners in a number of languages,” based on JunsBaseball. They added that whereas Dota 2 additionally has packed stadiums and large crowds for esports tournaments, the atmosphere at MSI “felt far more electrical.”

From roaring cheers to vibrant fan indicators and synchronized chants, the occasion felt like a world celebration, far larger than typical Dota crowds. Because the fan noticed, Riot’s stadiums persistently promote out and pull huge world audiences, particularly for rivalry matchups like T1 vs. GenG, which routinely rack up viewership within the hundreds of thousands.
In addition they identified the in-game distinction between the 2 relating to the tempo at which the groups play. Dota 2 options “lengthy farming phases” with the video games extending past the 40-minute mark, typically taking away the fixed motion and pleasure. However “In League, engagements are consistently occurring whether or not it’s slaying Dragon/Baron or ganking,” the fan defined.
Not like fashionable Dota 2, League nonetheless options numerous regional rivalry, particularly relating to the LCK and the LPL. “The fierce, spicy, and long-standing rivalry between LCK and LPL, together with different darkish horse groups rising, provides one other [level of] enjoyable to the sport,” the fan mentioned.
“In Dota 2, nearly all of dominant gamers are from Japanese Europe, largely Russia,” they added. “The latest tournaments have additionally been dominated by European groups, so it has not been a various competitors. NA groups and Chinese language groups are slowly fading away relating to worldwide levels, however Fly Quest looks like they’re about to make constant appearances as an NA consultant, although. It is usually cool to see Korean gamers taking part in within the Chinese language group, together with many various groups having blended nations.”
In addition they admired the standard and big selection of merchandise accessible for League in comparison with Valve’s title. “The determine high quality is prime notch, and hats, plushes, and garments are additionally well-made and designed. I want Dota 2 had the identical high quality as League. I feel I’ll discover myself watching the League video games extra,” they mentioned.
This expertise highlights how a lot League has grown and developed as a world spectacle. Whereas Dota 2 stays a fancy and strategic title with a deeply loyal neighborhood, the sport’s slower tempo and relatively decrease worldwide attain might be tough for informal viewers to get into.
League, alternatively, has grown massively because of Riot’s deal with stadium environment, fast matches, and cross-region showdowns, which ship an entertaining and aggressive viewing expertise even for individuals who don’t play the sport frequently.