May 22, 2025
The Milk Cup 2025: Series 1 has finally wrapped up, and it’s safe to say it marked a major moment for women’s Fortnite.
Held on May 1, the all-women tournament wasn’t just about high-level gameplay (though there was plenty of that). It was about giving women a legitimate space in Fortnite’s competitive scene, where real money, real stakes, and real recognition were all on the line. Created by GonnaNeedMilk in partnership with Raidiant and ThePeachCobbler, The Milk Cup isn’t just another community tournament. It was built with a purpose: to give women more shots at the spotlight, more chances to grow, and more reasons to stick around in a scene that hasn’t always made space for them.
Series 1 followed a Duos format with 50 teams battling it out in six Build matches. At the end of the day, only 15 teams made the cut for the upcoming LAN Finals in Fall 2025. Just about every team had standout moments, and the roster included some heavy hitters from orgs like Complexity, XSET, Repulse Gaming, and more.
Stellar performances and rising stars
The competition was fierce, with several teams delivering standout performances.
- 1st Place: Nina and Vader clinched the top spot with a remarkable score of 396 points, showcasing consistent gameplay and strategic prowess.
- 2nd Place: Kanary and Fraanticc demonstrated exceptional coordination, securing the runner-up position with 369 points.
- 3rd Place: LilyyBtw and Milly rounded out the top three with 308 points.
Nina and Vader’s win stood out not just for the points they put up, but for how composed and calculated they looked the entire time. In a post-match interview, Nina said they stayed true to their game plan and didn’t feel the need to overcomplicate things: “We just stuck with our game. We didn’t want to overdo anything.” Later on social media, she doubled down on that confidence, mentioning how their prep paid off and how the performance silenced a few doubters along the way.
The duo secured $8,000 in prize money and punched their ticket straight to the LAN Finals this fall. Here’s a look at how the top 15 teams stacked up in The Milk Cup Series 1.
Impressive viewership and community engagement
The Milk Cup has a track record of lighting a fire under the Fortnite community every time it goes live, and Series 1 was no different. Each edition seems to grow bigger, louder, and more impactful, not just in gameplay but in what it means for women’s esports as a whole. The way the community continues to rally around these events only proves what many already knew: the Milk Cup isn’t just a fun tournament; it’s the kind of platform women in esports have been waiting for.
And the numbers back it up. The Milk Cup 2025: Series 1 pulled in some serious viewership, with an average of 18,464 people tuning in throughout the broadcast and a peak of over 31,000 watching live. Those aren’t just strong numbers; they’re a statement.
By the end of the event, viewers had logged more than 54,000 hours watched, easily making Series 1 one of the most successful independent Fortnite tournaments of the year. Whether it was fans showing up to support their favorite players, discover new talent, or just enjoy the chaos of high-level Fortnite, the turnout proves there’s a real appetite for women-led competition—and it’s only growing.
Looking ahead: Series 2 and beyond
Building on the momentum of Series 1, The Milk Cup is set to continue its mission of creating real opportunities for women in competitive Fortnite.
- Series 2 is set to go live on July 10, 2025, bringing back the Duos format for another round of top-tier gameplay.
- Series 3 will follow on August 21, 2025, serving as the final shot at qualification before the LAN Finals.
Everything leads up to this fall’s main event, where the top-performing teams from all three series will battle it out for the championship title and a sizable prize pool.
The Milk Cup 2025 is shaping up to be more than just a tournament—it’s a clear reflection of where esports is heading. Inclusivity and representation aren’t just buzzwords here; they’re built into the structure of the event. By carving out a competitive space exclusively for women, the Milk Cup is helping rewrite the rules of engagement in Fortnite and beyond.
As anticipation builds toward the LAN Finals, Series 1 has already laid the groundwork. The response from players and the community alike proves that this isn’t a one-off moment. It’s the start of something much bigger.