Top Esports Tournaments to Bet On 2026

How Do Esports Tournaments Work for South African Bettors?

Esports tournaments are typically organised in a structured format, beginning with qualifiers and leading to the main event. These formats can vary depending on the game but generally include single-elimination, double-elimination, and round-robin stages.

In single elimination, teams or players face immediate knockout if they lose, while double elimination gives participants a second chance through a lower bracket.

Round-robin stages, on the other hand, allow teams to accumulate points by playing against every other team in their group.

The length of tournaments can also differ, ranging from a few days to weeks or even months, depending on the game and the number of participants.

For bettors in South Africa, understanding the format is essential because it influences how the tournament progresses and can affect betting strategies.

Factors That Make a Tournament Great for Betting in SA

When choosing an esports tournament to bet on, consider the following factors:

• Prestige and Scale: Major tournaments with high prize pools attract the best teams and players, providing more competitive and reliable betting options.
• Detailed Match Statistics: Access to comprehensive player and team statistics helps bettors make more informed decisions.
• Extensive Media Coverage: Well-covered events allow for better research, offering insights into team form, strategies, and player conditions.
• Variety of Betting Markets: A diverse range of betting options, such as match outcomes, in-game objectives, or player performance, gives bettors more opportunities to find favorable odds.

By considering these factors, you can choose the best tournaments for esports betting.

Top Esports Tournaments to Bet On

Here’s a quick guide to the top esports tournaments to bet on, giving you the best chances for smart wagers:

The International (Dota 2)

As the largest esports tournament in the world by prize pool, The International is a cornerstone event for Dota 2 fans and bettors alike. Its immense popularity provides a wealth of information on teams, players, and strategies. You can expect diverse betting markets, ranging from outright winners to in-game objectives. With millions of dollars on the line, The International draws the best teams globally, giving you solid odds based on well-researched data.

League of Legends World Championship

The League of Legends World Championship is another high-profile event that attracts millions of viewers and bettors each year. With extensive media coverage and fan engagement, you’ll find plenty of information to help guide your bets. Markets include match outcomes, first blood, and individual player performance. This championship is known for its upsets, so bettors who do their research have a good chance of finding valuable odds.

CS Major Championships

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS) has a thriving betting scene, and its Major Championships are some of the most popular events for bettors. These tournaments bring together the top teams from various regions, and their unpredictable nature keeps the betting markets exciting. You can place bets on everything from map winners to total kills, making CS Majors an excellent choice for seasoned bettors who enjoy detailed match analysis.

Fortnite World Cup

The Fortnite World Cup is a massive event in the esports calendar, attracting top players from around the globe. What sets this tournament apart is its dynamic gameplay, which makes for unpredictable betting markets. You can place bets on the last player standing or team performance, and the range of available markets makes it appealing to a broad audience.

Call of Duty League Championship

The Call of Duty League (CDL) Championship offers various betting opportunities due to its unique structure, which includes both regular-season play and a playoff format. Betting on CDL allows for a range of options such as team outcomes, map-specific wagers, and player performance metrics. With teams from different regions and competitive formats, it’s a must-watch for esports bettors who like to explore multiple markets.

Other Big Esports Events

Besides the major esports events, there are some other big tournaments that you should keep on your radar for betting:

At eSportRanker, we've curated a list of the top esports tournaments along with the best betting sites where you can place your bets on these events, so be sure to check them out for your next wager!

What Influences Esports Tournament Betting Odds

Esports tournament betting odds are shaped by a mix of competitive, structural, and market-driven factors. The most significant variable is team performance and roster stability — sudden lineup changes, player fatigue, or coaching shifts can cause major price movements.

Tournament format also plays a key role: single-elimination brackets or best-of-one matches increase volatility. At the same time, longer series (best-of-three or best-of-five) produce more stable odds. Meanwhile, frequent game updates and patch changes can alter the competitive meta overnight, benefiting adaptable teams and unsettling betting models.

External influences such as regional dominance, seed placements, and historical head-to-head results also weigh heavily on odds formation. Beyond performance metrics, public sentiment and market activity impact real-time pricing — popular teams often attract heavy betting volume, skewing odds in their favor.

Ultimately, understanding how these competitive and market dynamics interact helps explain why odds fluctuate before and during major events like The International, LoL Worlds, or CS Majors — making tournament betting as unpredictable as the games themselves.

Trends in eSports Tournament Betting (2026 Overview)

The eSports betting landscape in 2025 is shifting significantly, driven by global growth, evolving regulations, and new market dynamics. According to Esports Insider, the market for eSports betting generated about $2.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to rise to $2.8 billion in 2025. Platform-analysis from over 450 sportsbooks shows a 70% year-on-year increase in eSports fixture consumption in Q1 2025 alone.

Geographically, North America held over 40% of global eSports betting revenue in 2024, while the Asia–Pacific region, with over half of the world’s eSports audience, is rapidly expanding its share. At the same time, regulatory initiatives are gaining traction — notably, in Brazil, the partnership between Sportradar and local operators is aimed at strengthening integrity protocols.

Also noteworthy is the integration of mobile-first betting, cryptocurrency payments, and live/in-play eSports markets, all of which are redefining how tournaments are monetised and consumed by global audiences.

Final Thoughts

Betting on esports tournaments is not just about following the hype—it’s about doing your research and choosing the right events to place your bets on. Make sure to stay informed and analyze the available data before making your next move. And don’t forget—if you’re looking for the best esports betting sites, head over to eSportsRanker to find our curated toplist.