The esports world witnessed a milestone moment this week as Vader and Nina, a transgender duo, claimed the championship title at Milk Cup 2025 — the largest women’s Fortnite tournament in North America.
Held over the weekend, the event featured a $300,000 prize pool, with the winners taking home $78,000, and drew more than 4.3 million live views across streaming platforms — setting a new audience record for a female-only Fortnite competition.
Beyond the impressive numbers, the victory marks a turning point for diversity in competitive gaming. Analysts note that inclusive tournaments like Milk Cup are attracting new sponsors, higher prize funds, and wider mainstream coverage, bridging the gap between esports and broader entertainment finance.
Industry insiders see this as a signal that gender-inclusive tournaments can now rival traditional mixed events in both engagement and revenue. Brands exploring Web3 sponsorships, NFT collectibles, and fan tokens tied to esports communities are watching closely, viewing the success of Milk Cup as proof of the market’s evolution.
“What we’re seeing is a new model for competitive gaming — one that’s commercially viable, inclusive, and deeply connected with digital-native audiences,”
said one esports analyst at GameFi Insights.
With social progress aligning with economic potential, events like Milk Cup 2025 could reshape how investors, sponsors, and blockchain platforms engage with the next wave of esports talent.
