Esports are followed by millions of fans worldwide, starting with highly popular games such as “League of Legends,” “Dota 2,” and “CS: GO.” As live events are increasingly streamed on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, esports have been able to reach practically everyone globally.

According to , the esports betting markets is expected to generate revenue of up to $2.8 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 5.43 percent from 2025 to 2029. The market should rise to $3.5 billion by 2029. The United States will generate revenue from betting of $857.6 million by 2025 because of a reasonably large consumer base and developments in legalisation.

Leading South Korea in esports and betting is a combination of intense gaming culture and infrastructure; its professional teams and tournaments are widely recognised around the world. Europe reflects a patchwork of conditions, some of which are lenient, as in the UK, while others impose strict limitations, such as Germany, and will therefore vary in market structure.

Structure of the esports betting market

These are straightforward bets on the winner of a particular match. They’re the most common type of bet in esports. Bettors have the option to wager on the overall winner of tournaments like The International or the League of Legends World Championship. They can also bet on specific in-game events, like which team will get the first kill or how many kills a certain player will achieve.

League of Legends is very favourable to sports bettors owing to its organised leagues and other high-stakes matches played throughout the year. There are very few heavyweights in Dota 2 tournament tiers, with The International being the biggest. Fast-paced action and countless Major tournaments create a constant carnival for CS: GO betting, thus garnering a massive betting audience.

Esports world cup 2025: A new era for competitive gaming

The Esports World Cup (EWC) Foundation has taken a big step for competitive gaming by adding chess to its 2025 roster in collaboration with Chess.com, an online chess competition platform. This opens a new era where classic board games are being integrated into fast-paced esports. The 2025 Esports World Cup, featuring multiple game titles, kicks off in Saudi Arabia this July.

The road towards EWC 2025 runs parallel to the Champions Chess Tour, which is a venerable series organised by Chess.com. For players hoping to qualify for the EWC, CCT is the platform that they will need to work hard within. Two qualifying tournaments will take place in 2025, and the top 12 players from those events will receive direct invites to attend the EWC.

Magnus Carlsen, being the name associated with chess, is a fitting ambassador for chess at the EWC. Chess has a cerebral challenge more out of the box than traditional esports titles with their “twitch” or overly intense action. That dichotomy becomes both a challenge and an opportunity for the niche chess will carve in the realm of esports.

CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, Ralf Reichert, envisions a harmonious union between classical and contemporary gaming. He aims to embrace chess into the EWC portfolio, thus paving a way for a single platform under which different gaming communities can compete.

Reichert explained, “This will demonstrate how games evolve from boards to screens, while the core competition stays constant. It has a rich history, immense global appeal, and vibrant competition make it a perfect candidate to be roped in our mission to unite the world’s most popular games and their passionate communities under one competitive umbrella. Partnering with the leading online platform for the game, Chess.com, and appointing the legendary Magnus Carlsen, a true GOAT of the sport, as the game’s ambassador allows us to not only showcase Chess on a massive stage but also to drive innovation and growth within its already vibrant ecosystem.”

Esports events calendar 2025: Major leagues and tournaments

January

BLAST Bounty Spring 2025: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Jan. 24-26

Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

This will be the first-rate Counter-Strike 2 LAN Championships to see grandest battle in gaming for the proud ultimate title and a rich prize purse of $500,000. With this, everyone can watch all-electric fight live or join the exclusive website of BLAST event via its top-notch live-streaming services. The ticket prices will range from mere $55 for the ARK area seating to as high as $1300 for premium seating.

ALGS Championship: Apex Legends

Date: Jan. 28 – Feb. 2

Location: Sapporo, Japan

Marking the fourth year of the Apex Legends Global Series, this championship will be hosted for the first time in Japan at the Daiwa House PREMIST DOME. Forty teams will battle it in a round-robin format, leading to intense knockout stages. The ultimate champion will take home a share of the $2 million prize pool.

IEM Katowice 2025: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Jan. 29 – Feb. 9

Location: Katowice, Poland

This tournament will be played at the iconic Spodek Arena, this renowned event will see 24 elite teams vying for a $1 million prize pool. The EPT Championship finale will be from February 7-9.

February

BLAST Slam II: Dota 2

Date: Feb. 3-9

Location: Singapore

In this high-stakes competition, teams will face off in round-robin group stages with single-elimination playoffs for a $1 million prize.

Six Invitational: Rainbow Six Siege

Date: Feb. 3-16

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

The pinnacle of Rainbow Six Siege esports will take place at the MGM Music Hall, featuring a whopping $3 million prize pool. While the group stages are closed, fans can watch the February 14-16 finals.

PGL Buenos Aires: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Feb. 13-23

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

This prestigious event at Teatro Gran Rex will feature a 16-team Swiss System format, culminating in playoffs with the top 8 teams competing for a $1.25 million prize pool.

DreamLeague Season 25: Dota 2

Date: Feb. 16 – Mar. 2

Location: Europe

Organized by ESL Gaming, this online event will see teams competing in a double-elimination playoff for a $1 million prize pool.

ESL Pro League S21: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Feb. 25 – Mar. 16

Location: Katowice, Poland

Sixteen teams will compete in this offline event, advancing through stages to the playoffs, with the prize pool details to be announced.

March

PGL Wallachia Season 3: Dota 2

Date: Mar. 8-16

Location: Bucharest, Romania

This offline tournament will see teams battling for a $1 million prize pool.

First Stand LoL: League of Legends

Date: Mar. 10-16

Location: Seoul, South Korea

A new addition to the LoL esports calendar, “First Stand,” will adopt a Fearless Draft mode, with details on the prize pool and participants forthcoming.

April

PGL Bucharest: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Apr. 3-13

Location: Bucharest, Romania

With a $1.25 million prize pool, this LAN event will feature real-time stats updates and stream live on Twitch.

PGL Wallachia Season 4: Dota 2

Date: Apr. 19-27

Location: Bucharest, Romania

In this tournment teams will contest for a $1 million prize pool across Europe West server.

IEM Spring: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Apr. 21-27

Location: Europe

Featuring two double-elimination groups, the top teams will advance to playoffs. Prize money and participating teams are yet to be announced.

BLAST Rivals Spring: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Apr. 29 – May 4

Location: TBA

Eight teams will compete, with details on the prize pool to follow.

May

BLAST Slam III: Dota 2

Date: May 5-11

Location: TBA

Ten teams will engage in round-robin groups and single-elimination playoffs for a $1 million prize.

PGL Astana: Counter-Strike 2

Date: May 8-18

Location: Astana, Kazakhstan

Held at Barys Arena, 16 teams will compete on various maps for a $1.25 million prize pool.

DreamLeague Season 26: Dota 2

Date: May 12-25

Location: Europe

Sixteen teams will vie for a $1 million prize pool in this DreamHack and ESL Gaming event.

IEM Dallas: Counter-Strike 2

Date: May 19-25

Location: Dallas, TX

This offline event will feature 16 teams, with prize details to be announced.

June

BLAST Austin Major: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Jun. 9-22

Location: Austin, TX

At the Moody Center, 24 teams will compete for a $1.25 million prize in a thrilling single-elimination playoff.

July

FISSURE Summer 2025: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Jul. 15-20

Location: Belgrade, Serbia

This LAN event will feature 16 teams in double-elimination groups, competing for a $1 million prize pool.

IEM Cologne: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Jul. 23 – Aug. 3

Location: Cologne, Germany

Held at Lanxess Arena, this major tournament will feature a $1 million prize pool.

September

FISSURE Autumn 2025: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Sept. 9-21

Location: Belgrade, Serbia

The Swiss System format will determine which eight teams proceed to the Main Event, with a $1.25 million prize pool.

October

CS Asia Championship: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Oct. 1-13

Location: China

Perfect World will organize this event with 24 teams, with prize pool details to come.

Thunderpick World Championship: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Oct. 15-19

Location: Europe

GRID will host eight teams competing for $850,000, with the exact location to be announced.

PGL Belgrade: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Oct. 23 – Nov. 2

Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Teams will vie for a $1.25 million prize pool in this competitive event.

November

IEM Chengdu: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Nov. 3-9

Location: Chengdu, China

This LAN event, part of the ESL Pro Tour, will feature 16 teams, with prize details pending.

BLAST Rivals Fall: Counter-Strike 2

Date: Nov. 11-16

Location: London

At Wembley Arena, eight teams compete in double-elimination groups, leading to a single-elimination playoff.

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