10 best Fortnite players in esports history

Stephen Tang
Michael Caruso
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Table of Contents
  1. TL;DR
  2. Top 10 Fortnite players in the game’s history
  3. Conclusion
  4. FAQs
  5. REFERENCES
A professional esports player holding a trophy, with a Fortnite gameplay scene displayed on the screen behind him

TL;DR

  • While the competitive Fortnite esports scene has changed a lot over the last few years, iconic players have built lasting legacies throughout its history.
  • Many players peak in their teens, which guarantees new blood is always reaching the top.
  • Peterbot and Bugha head up the list, with one possibly the number one player today, and the other arguably the greatest ever.
  • Mero is something of an outlier on the list as a controller player in an esport dominated by keyboard and mouse players.

Fortnite has one of the fastest-moving and most expansive esports scenes. With all the updates from Epic Games and the mind-boggling collaborations, it feels like it never stops growing, and the esports side of the community has been benefiting massively, with Fortnite pro players always emerging.

Since 2019, when Fortnite esports really started to get going, the shift in the scene has been immense. The best Fortnite players from then are not the best now, but the predecessors are still inspiring current players to this day. 
With that said, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 Fortnite players in esports, both past and present. Many players have earned the title of best in their region, but only a few have risen to the legendary ranks. This best Fortnite players list will help you better understand who the greats and legends of this competitive scene are.

Top 10 Fortnite players in the game’s history

10. BenjyFishy

BenjyFishy sits in a gaming chair onstage, smiling and making a heart gesture with his fingers.
Benjyfish playing for Heretics in a Valorant event / Image credit: Riot Games

Like Mongraal, Benjy “BenjyFishy” Fish is one of the most talented Fortnite players in the UK. Last paired with notable teams like NRG, he’s no stranger to the big leagues. Most of BenjyFishy’s Fortnite feats took place in 2019, as he eventually retired from the Battle Royale to focus on VALORANT.
Benjy was particularly impressive due to his fast-paced building style, allowing him to outmanoeuvre his opponents at record speeds. He teamed up with world-renowned players like Mongraal and Mitr0, but decided that pursuing a long-term Fortnite career wasn’t the direction for him. However, his effect on build battles can still be felt today.

9. Acorn

An esports player in a Dignitas jersey stands before bright circular lights
Acorn / Image credit: Acorn & Dignitas Fortnite

Currently on the roster for Dignitas, Abdullah “Acorn” Akhras has won hundreds of thousands throughout his esports career. At only 21 years of age, Acorn has placed first in many Fortnite competitions, plus he earned the seventh spot during the FNCS Global Championship in 2023.

The Dignitas athlete formed numerous alliances with other esports players, including Cold, which has allowed him to improve his skills further. As a prominent Fortnite player with shocking build battle talent, Acorn is one of the best Canadian competitors without a doubt.

8. Queasy

Queasy, SwizzY, and Merstach stand before a gold-and-blue FNCS 2025 Champions graphic
FNCS 2025 Global Championship winners Queasy, SwizzY, and Merstach graphic / Image credit: Epic Games, BLAST

Aleksa “Queasy” Cvetkovic is a Serbian Fortnite player known for his consistency in the last four years. He has become a name associated with trophies, winning European and global titles alike throughout his tenure.

Queasy’s greatest achievement was being a part of the trio team that won the FNCS Global Championship earlier this year, having been a runner-up in the duos a year prior. His consistency, strong leadership, and adaptability have all led to him being one of the best players that Fortnite has seen. Whenever Queasy is mentioned, trophies aren’t far behind.

7. Mero

Cooper and Mero pose in front of a gold-and-blue FNCS 2023 Champions graphic
Cooper and Mero crownd the 2023 Fortnite Global Champions / Image credit: Fortnite Global Champions

Matthew “Mero” Faitel is a Canadian Fortnite player who has paired with big names like Bugha and Cooper to pull in victory after victory. Mero gained fame upon winning the FNCS Global Championship in 2023, though he had placed first in many other FNCS competitions beforehand.
The aspect of Mero’s skill set that truly stands out is his ability to consistently perform with a controller, as most athletes use a keyboard and mouse. Without a doubt, Mero is one of the best controller players in Fortnite. Unfortunately, Mero isn’t a major player in the 2025 esports scene for Fortnite, but he’s only 21, so there’s room for a second wind.

6. Aqua

Two esports competitors hold large trophy cups onstage after winning a major event
Nyhrox and Aqua winning the Fortnite World Cup Duos Final / Image credit: Fortnite World Cup

David “Aqua” Wang is an Australian Fortnite pro who began his esports career as a teenager. In 2019, Aqua managed to secure his status as a living legend by winning the Fortnite World Cup Finals for duos. His exceptional ability to work alongside Nyhrox allowed the pair to claim $3 million in prize money.
In 2022, Aqua made a comeback by winning the FNCS Grand Finals for Europe. Since then, he hasn’t been quite as active in esports, but his three-year streak proved how fierce of a competitor he can truly be. There’s no denying Aqua’s impact on the Fortnite community, plus his strategy of utilising the high ground gave him an entertaining edge.

5. Pollo

Peterbot and Pollo pose in front of a gold-and-blue FNCS 2024 Champions graphic
Peterbot and Pollo win FNCS Global Championship 2024 / Image credit: Fortnite Competitive

Despite Miguel “Pollo” Moreno only being 17, but he’s one of the most talented players in modern Fortnite. He’s joined forces with other popular athletes, like Peterbot, so he’s well-known in the larger esports community, too. Pollo has been part of many teams since 2021, but he is currently signed with Gentle Mates.
Alongside Peterbot, Pollo managed to claim victory in the FNCS 2024 Global Championship, and he’s gearing up to be a threat in 2025 as well. It seems to be a trend that the best Fortnite players are often on the younger side, usually achieving their peak between the ages of 16 and 18. Pollo’s career is only just getting started, as he has years ahead of him in the esports scene if he continues to compete.

4. Mongraal

Kyle Mongraal Jackson outdoors holds up a blue esports jersey for a team announcement
Kyle Mongraal Jackson, Fortnite player, joining OpenSea / Image credit: OpenSea

Initially, a dedicated member of Team Secret, Kyle “Mongraal” Jackson rose through the ranks of notable Fortnite players at just 13. He recently signed with Red Bull and will now be competing alongside other famous esports athletes in the UK.

Mongraal was singled out for his impressive aim and sharp reflexes, winning multiple titles in the Fortnite Champion Series throughout the years. It looks like Mongraal is making a comeback in 2025, so it’ll be interesting to see his competitive strength as the athlete transitions into his twenties.

3. Vanyak3kk

Vanyak3kk wearing a headset competes onstage during the Esports World Cup.
Gaimin Gladiators Vanyak3kk at the 2024 Esports World Cup – Esports World Cup and Igor Bezborodov

Yet another Fortnite player who rose through the ranks in his teenage years, Vanyak3kk is now in his 20s. Vanyak3kk is a Ukrainian player who placed high among a range of different competitions, including a claim to first place in the POW3R Cup 2.0.

Vanyak3kk’s biggest accomplishment was placing first in the FNCS 2024 – Major 2: Europe Grand Finals. This competition shook the esports world and solidified Vanyak3kk as one of the most talented esports athletes in Europe. Like most top Fortnite players, Vanyak3kk entered the game young and impressed the audience with his advanced talent on the virtual battlefield. Consistent ranking throughout many competitions has kept Vanyak3kk relevant since 2023, though he’s switched teams many times.

2. Peterbot

Peterbot lift a golden tournament trophy onstage as confetti falls
Peter “Peterbot” Kata is widely regarded as the best Fortnite player of all time / Image credit: Peterbot.gg

A key member of Team Falcons, Peter “Peterbot” Kata is only 18 but has quickly risen through the ranks in the past three years. He finished first in the FNCS 2024 Global.

1. Bugha

Bugha celebrates onstage in a packed arena as confetti falls.
Bugha celebrating a victory /Image credit: Fortnite’s Official X Account

Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf is one of the most famous Fortnite players ever, among both new and old fans. His claim to fame is winning the Fortnite World Cup in 2019, during which he was only 16. Bugha has quick reflexes and building skills, which have stayed sharp to this day.
Love him or hate him, Bugha is an important member of the Fortnite community and has the commendations to prove it. Though Bugha isn’t the number one Fortnite player in 2025, there was a time when he was the best of the best, and he’ll always be remembered as an exceptionally talented esports competitor.

Conclusion

Even in esports, Fortnite is relatively new, and thus many of its greatest players are young guns with a lot of untapped potential. With most being teenagers or in their early 20s, the future of the esport looks healthy, as far as the best Fortnite players are concerned.

With the still-growing popularity of Fortnite and the seemingly infinite momentum behind the game, leading into 2026, it feels like there are only going to be more names involved in the esport and more spotlights to go around. With players like Peterbot and Bugha already being some of the biggest in esports as a whole, it feels like the sky is the limit for many of these players.

FAQs

Who is the best Fortnite player?

The best Fortnite player in history is up for debate. Bugha has one of the strongest claims, being one of the most talented esports athletes of all time, winning the Fortnite World Cup in 2019 at 16. Peterbot is also considered one of the top Fortnite players of all time.

How many Fortnite players are there?

Fortnite averages over one million active, concurrent players during a day as of December 2025, according to Fortnite.gg. There is no official source from Epic Games; reports suggest there are over 650 million accounts registered for Fortnite.

Who is the best controller player in Fortnite?

Mero has the strongest claim to the best controller player in Fortnite, using it to reach the professional leagues of Fortnite despite most using a mouse and keyboard.

REFERENCES

Stephen Tang

Features Writer
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Stephen is a writer for Esports Insider and has been covering gaming stories since 2023. He has a lifelong love for the fighting game scene, having grown up with 3D fighters like Tekken and Soulcalibur. He has occasionally dipped into the world of hero shooters, like Marvel Rivals and Overwatch, and MOBAs, such as League of Legends and Heroes of the Storm.
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