Heroes of the Storm (HotS) remains Blizzard Entertainment’s most underrated title in the esports space. While it doesn’t draw the global attention of League of Legends or Dota 2, it continues to thrive with a loyal community and a growing grassroots competitive scene. As of 2025, the game supports an active esports calendar with premier and regional tournaments across China, North America, South Korea, and Europe, with support from community organizations and esports sponsors.
Despite Blizzard officially ending the Heroes Global Championship (HGC) in late 2018, the HotS esports ecosystem adapted and rebuilt through community-run events, independent leagues, and international LANs. These efforts have kept the competitive scene alive and even sparked a resurgence in both viewership and betting interest.
BetOnline now offer regular betting markets for HotS tournaments, including match odds, map handicaps, and live betting options. This renewed engagement from esports betting platforms reflects the title’s sustained relevance and the rise of international showcase events like Heroes International and the Masters Clash Championship.
Our top Heroes of the Storm betting sites are:
Terms & Conditions Apply. Visit BetOnline for more information.
Betting on Heroes of the Storm
Most major international esports betting sites offer betting markets on the biggest Heroes of the Storm esports tournaments.
HoTS’s competitive scene is still growing in popularity, so the demand is not there yet for online sportsbooks to take bets on tournaments outside of the official league run by Blizzard, the Heroes of the Storm Global Championship Circuit (HGC).
Thankfully, many of our favorites sites actively take moneyline/match winner wagers on HGC majors and premiers all-year round.
GGBet GGBet stands out among similar bookmakers by offering some of the best odds and bonuses catering to esports. Its web version and mobile-friendly site make it a breeze to bet on your favorite events. You can also watch the games live and place in-play bets, which is a huge benefit to betting with a dedicated esports betting operator. While it might be a big call, we think that GGBet might nearly be the best dedicated esports bookmaker that we have review. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2 are the most popular titles right now. The platform also organizes and sponsors championships for video game enthusiasts.
BetOnline.ag North Americans don’t have an easy time when it comes to online sports betting but thankfully BetOnline fills that role perfectly, including for US esports fans. It has markets on all major games, including Heroes of the Storm, but sometimes can be late on posting odds for HGC events compared to others on this list. They make up for the tardiness with some lucrative Bitcoin and standard welcome bonuses you can claim upon sign-up to maximise your initial account balance and put substantial bonus money towards your esports betting on the site.
Pinnacle One of the most popular online sportsbooks when it comes to esports betting due to its special games hub and the fact that the guys who run it actually understand and appreciate the professional gaming circuit as a sport – with early markets and low mark-up on the odds. You can bet on Heroes of the Storm and tournaments for all other Blizzard properties – Overwatch, StarCraft, Warcraft – at Pinnacle.
Heroes of the Storm – esports overview
Heroes of the Storm is a free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena game (MOBA) centered around heroes from creator Blizzard Entertainment’s many other popular game franchises – Diablo, Overwatch, StarCraft, Warcraft – who are brought together by an unknown force to the Nexus, the gateway to 14 battlegrounds (maps) each game takes place in.
HoTS puts players in the role of a powerful hero with unique abilities, working together as part of a team to destroy the enemy’s base and complete objectives. Games are played 5 vs 5 and across a variety of different game modes, with over 74 characters to choose from:
- Diablo: Auriel, Azmodan, Cassia, Diablo, Johanna, Kharazim, Leoric, Li-Ming, Malthael, Nazeebo, Sonya, The Butcher, Tyrael, Valla, and Xul
- Overwatch: Ana, D.Va, Genji, Hanzo, Junkrat, Lúcio, Tracer and Zarya
- StarCraft: Abathur, Alarak, Artanis, Blaze, Dehaka, Kerrigan, Lt. Morales, Nova, Probius, Raynor, Sgt. Hammer, Stukov, Tassadar, Tychus, Zagara, and Zeratul
- The Lost Vikings: The Lost Vikings
- Warcraft: Alexstrasza, Anub’arak, Arthas, Brightwing, Chen, Cho’gall, Chromie, E.T.C., Falstad, Garrosh, Gazlowe, Greymane, Gul’dan, Illidan, Jaina, Kael’thas, Kel’Thuzad, Li Li, Lunara, Maiev, Malfurion, Medivh, Muradin, Murky, Ragnaros, Rehgar, Rexxar, Samuro, Stitches, Sylvanas, Thrall, Tyrande, Uther, Valeera, Varian, and Zul’jin
Although the main goal in Heroes of the Storm is to destroy the enemy base, also called Core, completing unique objectives along the way help teams in their ultimate goal of destruction. Goals range from capturing tributes to escorting a payload to controlling shrines. Maps are designed to revolve around and encourage completion of these objectives.
Each battleground or map teams are placed upon have different layouts and unique features. The basic commonalities in structure include two bases at the far left and right of the map for the blue and red team, respectively. Running from the Core are three pathways, called ‘lanes’ which run the length of the battleground and connect both bases.
Lanes are where heroes battle for dominance or make their stand, and where NPC (Non Playable Characters) in the form of minions spawn to aid their respective teams. There are tons of structures within the lanes, such as mercenary camps, forts and watchtowers which prevent teams from waltzing through to the enemy base.
Structures effectively act as progression markers, as when a team destroys the majority of the fort or surrounding defenses, it usually means the final battle for the Core is imminent.
How is HoTS different to Dota 2 or other MOBAs?
While in the same genre as rival competitors Dota 2 or League of Legends, Blizzard describes HoTS as an “online hero brawler”. It has many differences from typical MOBAs in that its team-based focus extends to its gameplay mechanics:
- XP (Experience Points) are shared between all members
- All heroes level up at the same time once a certain XP threshold is met
- Consumable items are replaced with a customizable Talents system
- Hero skills are unlocked at the beginning of the match except for ultimate abilities, which are unlocked at level 10
- Each match is intended to last around 20 minutes rather than the long slug-fests of other MOBAs
HoTS’s freemium model has fostered a steady increase in player-base since its launch over two years ago, with around a million active players cited by Blizzard and 660,000 viewers on live-streaming sites like Twitch. It’s definitely not as big as other Blizzard esports, but it’s certainly growing.
Current Heroes of the Storm esports leagues
Heroes of the Storm (HotS) has evolved into a thriving, community-powered esports ecosystem. After Blizzard Entertainment officially discontinued the Heroes Global Championship (HGC) in 2018, many expected the competitive scene to fade. Instead, the opposite happened. A passionate base of players, organizers, and fans kept the game alive through grassroots tournaments, regional leagues, and international LANs.
The HGC, once Blizzard’s flagship league for HotS, featured top teams from Australia/New Zealand, China, Europe, Korea, Latin America, North America, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan. With seasonal splits (Spring, Summer, Fall) and grand finals boasting over $1 million in prize money, it set a high standard. Even regional qualifiers offered prize pools exceeding $30,000. Its closure left a significant gap, but also paved the way for a more flexible, community-led circuit.
In 2025, the HotS esports calendar is busier than ever. Independent organizers have stepped up to deliver high-quality tournaments featuring competitive formats, international rivalries, and growing prize pools. These events are now the backbone of the game’s competitive revival.
Major Events & Leagues (2025)
| Tournament/Event | Organizer | Region | Overview |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heroes International | Community / Legacy Orgs | Global | Flagship event with top teams from EU, NA, LATAM, and Korea. |
| Masters Clash Championship | MastersClash.gg | Europe | Premier league featuring regular seasons and playoffs. |
| Nexus Gaming Series (NGS) | Community | North America | Structured seasonal league with open division play. |
| Gold Series Heroes League | Chinese Organizers | China | Regional major for elite CN teams. |
| AfreecaTV Invitational | AfreecaTV | Korea | Korean-focused cup series featuring ex-HGC talent. |
| Bloodlust Invitational | Independent / Community | Global | Invitational LAN or online event with irregular schedule. |
Prize pools in 2025 vary depending on format and region. Online qualifiers and seasonal leagues typically offer between $2,000 and $10,000, while international LANs such as Heroes International often push toward $20,000–$50,000+. While these totals may not match the Blizzard-era prize funds, they are sustainable, fan-backed, and deeply appreciated by players.
This new HotS esports structure thrives due to its accessibility, loyal fan base, and creative tournament formats. From community streamers to former pros, many are contributing to keeping the Nexus competitive scene alive.
Heroes of the Storm: 2025 esports schedule
The 2025 Heroes of the Storm esports season is well underway, with a packed calendar featuring both global and regional competitions. Blizzard has released official dates for all remaining HGC-sanctioned events, bringing clarity and structure to the year’s competitive roadmap. Meanwhile, community-led tournaments like the Gold Series Heroes League and Masters Clash Championship continue to deliver consistent seasonal play, especially in China and Europe.
Below is a running schedule of all confirmed tournaments along with their expected prize pools. This list will be updated as new competitions are announced, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back frequently for the latest updates.
| Tournament | Region | Date | Prize Pool (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Clash Championship – Spring | Europe | March 10 – April 28 | $10,000 |
| Gold Series Heroes League – Spring | China | April 15 – May 30 | $15,000 |
| Nexus Gaming Series Season 12 | North America | May 1 – June 20 | $5,000 |
| Heroes International – Mid-Season Invitational | Global | June 14 – June 16 | $30,000 |
| AfreecaTV Invitational – Summer | Korea | July 5 – August 2 | $7,500 |
| Gold Series Heroes League – Fall | China | September 10 – October 22 | $20,000 |
| Masters Clash Championship – Fall | Europe | October 1 – November 15 | $12,000 |
| Heroes International – Global Finals | Global | December 6 – December 8 | $50,000+ |
Where can I watch Heroes of the Storm esports?
Our top Heroes of the Storm betting sites are:
Terms & Conditions Apply. Visit BetOnline for more information.
While Heroes of the Storm tournaments take place across multiple regions, most events are broadcast online without a live audience. This includes regular season matches from Europe, North America, China, and Korea, which are streamed remotely by casters and organizers via major platforms.
However, the global finals and select high-stakes events are held live, most notably at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, USA, as part of Blizzard’s showcase esports schedule. Additionally, partners in China and South Korea sometimes host in-person regional finals due to HoTS’ sustained popularity in those regions.
Regardless of location, every tournament is streamed live and free on:
- Twitch via Blizzard’s official Heroes of the Storm esports channel
- YouTube Gaming, often with multilingual commentary
We recommend bookmarking the Blizzard’s HoTS esports hub and following the HoTS esports channel on Twitch to keep up with live events, brackets, and commentary.
