The Good World Shanghai Main 2024 elimination stage has simply commenced, with the occasion already showcasing why it’s a main milestone within the 2024 Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) esports calendar.
That includes a $1.25m (~£1m) prize pool, the event not solely contains intense competitors but additionally alternatives for sportsbooks to raise their choices with insights into betting methods, real-time knowledge and the general esports betting market. Actually, Counter-Strike 2 is essential for sportsbooks trying to increase into esports with Abios highlighting in its Q3 2024 report that 58% of complete esports betting deal with throughout Kambi’s community of operators is from Valve’s FPS.
Forward of the playoffs, Esports Insider spoke to business specialists Niclas Sundell, Gross sales Director at Abios/Kambi and Pavel Malinovskiy, Abios’ Buying and selling Supervisor specialising in Counter-Strike 2 betting, to get their tackle the occasion and its implications for sportsbooks.
Why Shanghai is the proper stage for CS2’s future
In contrast to some areas, akin to Brazil, the place rabid regional fan bases largely simply assist their native organisations, China’s audiences really feel extra balanced. That is largely as a result of creating nature of the scene. For instance, Chinese language F1 driver, and Counter-Strike fan, Zhou Guanyu lately shared a publish on social media of a signed G2 Esports jersey.
“Shanghai is a implausible host for this Main,” stated Sundell, emphasising the town’s ardour for esports. “China has an enormous Counter-Strike fanbase, particularly for Western groups like G2 and FURIA. Gamers like M0NESY and Fallen, who additionally earned the nickname ‘Godfather’ in China, are absolute favourites right here—you’ll hear the gang erupt each time they’re on display.”
The Chinese language market has lengthy been one of the sought-after territories for esports titles, largely as a result of reputation of the business within the nation as an entire. Following the launch of Counter-Strike 2 in September 2023, there was a transparent indication that China would play a major issue within the recreation’s esports ecosystem. In November 2023, the sport’s developer introduced the first ever Valve-backed Main championship in China, the Good World Shanghai Main 2024.
“Thus far, this occasion might redefine the area’s curiosity in CS2. It’s greater than a event—it’s a cultural phenomenon,” added Sundell.
Groups to observe: the elite and the underdogs
In the end, Sundell predicts that conventional powerhouses like G2 Esports, NAVI and Crew Vitality will dominate the competitors.
“Gamers akin to M0nesy and jL have stepped up considerably in Counter-Strike 2 and are guaranteeing different groups should keep on their toes going towards G2 or NAVI. M0nesy, specifically, has been dubbed the very best AWPer on the earth and is a menace on Dust2 and Mirage,” stated Sundell.
Malinovskiy, in the meantime, highlights high-performing underdogs: “BIG and FURIA haven’t seen as sturdy performers throughout the 12 months, however BIG regarded very sturdy throughout the qualifiers, and we wouldn’t be stunned in the event that they made just a few upsets throughout the Swiss spherical.
He added: “The true Cinderella story lay in UA Ardour making it by the qualifiers, however with them gone, the actual wildcard is group Wildcard. The American group already made just a few upsets throughout the Opening Stage, pushing out Virtus.Professional and Fnatic.”
Betting insights: participant props are the markets that matter
In terms of betting markets, each specialists agree on the significance of ‘participant props’ (a wager that’s made on a person participant) and real-time knowledge.
“Whereas nonetheless essential, the fashionable bettor needs greater than 1X2 markets,” stated Sundell. “Mixture is every little thing, with wager builders taking centre stage.
“As such, markets like complete deaths, bombs planted, and participant kills are must-haves. For sportsbooks to supply a profitable wager builder, they need to adapt by providing detailed and dynamic betting choices.”
Malinovskiy added: “We’re rolling out new markets like complete headshots by a participant, that are good for fan engagement. Bettors at the moment are on the lookout for depth and personalisation—that is the place player-focused props shine.”
Past market choices, real-time knowledge can be essential to creating an efficient esports betting product.
“Delayed odds are a dealbreaker,” Sundell said. “To maintain tempo with CS2’s quick dynamics, sportsbooks should leverage odds suppliers with entry to the quickest knowledge sources out there.”
Controversial adjustments to Main qualifiers
Regardless of there being hype round Good World’s first Counter-Strike Main, it wasn’t with out its controversy. In Could 2024, it was revealed that there could be no open qualifiers for Europe or the Americas, which means solely invited groups would have the chance to qualify for the occasion.
In the end this led to destructive suggestions from sections of the group, largely as a consequence of earlier underdog runs which have accrued by open qualifiers. For this 12 months’s Copenhagen Main, Danish organisation ECSTATIC reached the occasion by enjoying greater than 20 matches.
“Valve has eliminated open qualifiers for Majors, reducing off alternatives for Cinderella tales,” defined Sundell. “That is disappointing as a result of these tales encourage gamers and followers alike. On the flip aspect, guaranteeing that solely the very best groups qualify raises the aggressive normal.”
Malinovskiy famous one other controversial resolution—altering event guidelines mid-event throughout the RMR. “Miscommunication like this disrupts the competitors and will damage the integrity of the ecosystem,” he stated.
In the meantime, beginning in 2025, Valve introduced third-party organisers like ESL and BLAST can’t have partnered groups or franchised leagues. This opens up the broader ecosystem and has created extra alternatives, and circuits, for rising groups.
“It’ll be fascinating to see if ESL and BLAST capitalise on this by showcasing unknown groups and capturing the magic of underdog tales,” Sundell added.
Remaining ideas: making ready for the way forward for esports betting
Because the Shanghai CS2 Main 2024 approaches its hottest phases, sportsbooks ought to view this occasion as each a problem and a possibility. From providing progressive markets to leveraging real-time esports knowledge, there’s immense potential to seize a rising viewers.
“Esports bettors aren’t remoted,” Sundell concluded. “They’re accustomed to distinctive experiences in conventional sports activities and count on the identical in esports. If sportsbooks put money into instruments and markets that meet these expectations, they’ll thrive—not only for this Main, however for occasions to return.”
Whether or not it’s to assist underdogs like Wildcard, crowd favourites like G2, or to analyse the evolving betting panorama, this Main is a must-watch for sportsbook managers aiming to remain forward of the curve.
