Esports is more popular now than it has ever been. Over the past 20 years it has exploded from a niche community of video game enthusiasts to a mainstream sporting event. Among the diverse array of esports games there are out there, few have stood the test of time the way League of Legends has. And there’s good reason for this. Let’s take a look at why exactly LoL has remained one of the most popular esports games since it was released all those years ago.

1. A Thriving Competitive Scene

As a competitive MOBA, League has two fundamentals that make it ripe for esports: it’s permanently multiplayer and it’s competitive. This means that the entire LoL community is inherently committed to the idea of competitive play. This may sound like a no-brainer, but it sets League up to be a truly competitive sport.

This competitive spirit culminates in League’s most venerated esports event the League of Legends World Championship (Worlds). This annual tournament attracts millions of viewers every year to see the best players fight it out for some seriously incredible prizes.

2. Regional Leagues and International Competitions

But League isn’t just about one huge international esporting event. Quite the opposite. League has a robust system of regional and international leagues and competitions primarily across North America, Europe, China and Korea. Each of these leagues attract their region’s top players to compete in regular seasonal matches, playoffs and specific championships.

Seriously, take a look. There’s a good chance that there’s a LoL championship happening near you.

3. Diversity of Playstyles

Taking a step back from the competitive scene, one of the biggest reasons that LoL is such a good esport is that there are simply so many different ways you can play the game. Not only is there a whole roster of characters to choose from—each offering their own abilities and playstyles—but because you’re working in a team of these characters there are literally millions of combinations of character matchups.

This gameplay diversity helps the game’s competitive scene in two distinct ways. Firstly, it allows a large variety of players to enjoy the game by focusing on their chosen playstyle. Secondly, it provides an almost limitless amount of variety for spectators to watch as matches unfold.

4. Accessibility and Global Reach

If you don’t already play it, League is a free to play game. I don’t need to tell you that this makes the game incredibly accessible. Because of this, anyone with a computer and an internet connection can get involved with LoL. This accessibility has seen the game build an incredible player base, fuelling the popularity of the game’s competitive scene while also endlessly bringing in more and more players to compete in the game’s many competitions.

All of that said about free to play, many players who want to get ahead in the game early on often buy LoL accounts to push them into the top tier of the game.

5. Consistent Developer Support and Innovation

League has been around for a while. Most games its age have a dwindling player base. But not league. This incredible feat is thanks to Riot Game’s commitment to bringing endless new updates to the game and its community. From regular balance patches to new characters and even the developer’s extension into pop culture with the incredible songs from KDA, Riot have done an amazing job at keeping League fun, novel and relevant in an ever more bustling gaming marketplace.

6. A Global Community of Fans

All of these factors combine into one thing: League’s long term and widespread popularity. Since release, its accessibility, constant updates and prominence in esports has made it one of the most played and most beloved competitive games on earth. The game has a huge following across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. This community further propels the game into the popular consciousness, keeping its esports scene relevant and active.

Not only that, but LoL fans are creative! From incredible fan-created content to vibrant fan art and truly jaw-dropping cosplays, the League community is one of gaming’s largest and most empassioned.

League of Legends has been around for a long time, but it continues to be one of the best and most enjoyed esports out there. And this thriving competitive scene isn’t going anywhere any time soon. So if you’re a fan of League of Legends, perhaps it’s about time to try your hand at the competitive scene yourself. Seriously, what’s to lose?