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Sanatic’s hype vs. Yatoro’s dynasty: TI15 put Dota 2’s best carries in an anime-style clash

Team Spirit has officially become the first Dota 2 team to have lifted the Aegis of Champions three times, doing so at TI15 in Shanghai last week. Their conquest this time around was a little harder than their previous one, as they had to take down tournament favorites TEAM VISION 3-2 in the Grand Final … Continued The post Sanatic’s hype vs. Yatoro’s dynasty: TI15 put Dota 2’s best carries in an anime-style clash appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 27.08.2026 20:10 Uhr

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All Major Championship winners in CS2 and CS:GO

In Counter-Strike, few achievements carry the same weight as winning a Major Championship. These Valve-sponsored tournaments represent the absolute peak of play, capable of defining a player’s career and cementing an organization’s place in the esports history books. Since the inaugural CS:GO Major at DreamHack Winter 2013, the series has produced dominant dynasties, incredible underdog … Continued The post All Major Championship winners in CS2 and CS:GO appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 27.08.2026 08:15 Uhr

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“Chess is the most humbling activity a person can do”: GothamChess discusses signing with BASILISK at the intersection of chess and esports

With 8 million subscribers on YouTube alone, Levy “GothamChess” Rozman is the biggest chess content creator worldwide. After decades of dedication to the game, the “Internet’s Chess Teacher” has now joined his first esports organization, BASILISK, as its Head of Chess. In an exclusive interview with Esports Insider, GothamChess shared his motivations behind the move … Continued The post “Chess is the most humbling activity a person can do”: GothamChess discusses signing with BA

Esports Insider 26.08.2026 20:53 Uhr

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BLAST Open Porto 2026 could be the most open CS tournament of the year so far, and I can’t wait

As the dust settles on the Esports World Cup, the eyes of the Counter-Strike 2 esports circuit turn towards BLAST Open Porto 2026, the next stop in a hugely populated Tier 1 calendar. With 13 of the 16 teams committing to the incredibly short turnaround, the stage is set for another enthralling tournament.  With several … Continued The post BLAST Open Porto 2026 could be the most open CS tournament of the year so far, and I can’t wait appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 26.08.2026 20:15 Uhr

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How Team Spirit made history at The International 2026

Team Spirit entered the grand final of The International 2026 (TI 2026) with a rather strange advantage: knowing exactly what it felt like to lose to TEAM VISION. They were swept 2–0 by VISION in the group stage before suffering another 2–1 defeat in the upper bracket semifinal. However, after dismantling Liquid, BoomBoys, and Yandex … Continued The post How Team Spirit made history at The International 2026 appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 26.08.2026 11:43 Uhr

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Why Southeast Asia is a mobile gaming powerhouse

Southeast Asia (SEA) has grown into one of the world’s most important mobile-first gaming markets. This growth has been fuelled by affordable smartphones, accessible free-to-play games, expanding mobile connectivity, and a bustling social gaming culture, allowing mobile titles to reach audiences that consoles and gaming PCs simply cannot [1,3]. The same conditions have also helped … Continued The post Why Southeast Asia is a mobile gaming powerhouse appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 26.08.2026 07:42 Uhr

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“This falls entirely on the execs”: 2XKO community discusses Riot’s unrealistic expectations and missteps with the FGC

The FGC was shocked and saddened by a seemingly sudden update from Riot Games: 2XKO will essentially shut down by the end of 2026. It was one of those moments for me where I had to hold back from saying, “I told you so.” See, I’ve been predicting 2XKO’s demise for a while now, not … Continued The post “This falls entirely on the execs”: 2XKO community discusses Riot’s unrealistic expectations and missteps with the FGC appeared first on Esports Insi

Esports Insider 25.08.2026 20:02 Uhr

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Has Fearless Draft actually improved champion diversity in League of Legends?

The League of Legends pro circuit used to have a drafting problem, but has Fearless Draft actually changed that? In the past, you could finish game 1 of a best-of-five, load into game 2, and see half of the same champions again. Maybe they swapped sides or banned a priority pick, but more often than … Continued The post Has Fearless Draft actually improved champion diversity in League of Legends? appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 25.08.2026 09:09 Uhr

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“It’s on life support”: Women’s Counter-Strike 2 scene is struggling to stay afloat, and there is little hope left if things don’t change

On August 8th, one of the most prominent players in the women’s Counter-Strike 2 scene, Mayline “ASTRA” Champliaud, made waves by announcing her transition from CS to VALORANT esports.  According to HLTV’s Women’s Player of the Year 2025, “the recent news of female CS falling apart and the lack of tournaments coming up” led to … Continued The post “It’s on life support”: Women’s Counter-Strike 2 scene is struggling to stay afloat, and there is little hop

Esports Insider 24.08.2026 18:48 Uhr

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Riot gave Tier 2 VALORANT a chance and it exposed VCT Tier 1 teams’ vulnerability

Ever since Riot Games introduced the partnership system in VALORANT esports, Tier 2 has existed in an uncomfortable position. It was important enough to be called the foundation of Tier 1, but it rarely received enough spotlight, investment, or care to sustain itself. As a result, multiple organizations left the scene, as the sheer amount … Continued The post Riot gave Tier 2 VALORANT a chance and it exposed VCT Tier 1 teams’ vulnerability appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 24.08.2026 18:01 Uhr

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“Honor of Kings had its biggest year yet”: As HoK grows outside of China, the PC vs. mobile MOBA clash is heating up

It’s easy to know that League of Legends, with its immense history and popularity, is the most watched MOBA in the world. In 2025 alone, more than 735.9 million watch hours of League of Legends content were viewed by fans, according to Esports Charts. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, League’s mobile cousin, ranked second in MOBA … Continued The post “Honor of Kings had its biggest year yet”: As HoK grows outside of China, the PC vs. mobile MOBA clash is heating up appeared first on E

Esports Insider 21.08.2026 19:43 Uhr

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Esports catching major league sports in prediction market volume

League of Legends and Counter-Strike 2 matches are seeing trading volumes that are nearing those of major league sports at prediction markets.  An analysis of Polymarket trading over the past year found an average of over $1 million was traded on LoL matches, with the highest match recording $28.3 million. In comparison, NFL, NBA, and … Continued The post Esports catching major league sports in prediction market volume appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 21.08.2026 19:09 Uhr

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AI vs expert: Humanity chases a hat-trick in LEC week five, while the bots malfunction

He’s only gone and done it. Our expert, Craig, has gone back-to-back after firing blanks in the opening two weeks to take the lead in the epic battle of human versus robot. Humanity’s on a roll as we head into LEC Summer Split week five, with robots everywhere dreaming of an upturn in fortune. Last … Continued The post AI vs expert: Humanity chases a hat-trick in LEC week five, while the bots malfunction appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 21.08.2026 13:46 Uhr

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VALORANT Champions 2026 preview: schedule, format, teams, and more

VALORANT Champions 2026 marks the culmination of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), drawing the world’s best teams to the bright lights of Shanghai, China. From Sep. 24 to Oct. 18, teams from across the Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China will battle for the title of world champion and the lion’s share of a reported $2.25 … Continued The post VALORANT Champions 2026 preview: schedule, format, teams, and more appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 21.08.2026 13:36 Uhr

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“A kid from nowhere”: Monsoon on homelessness, escapism, and becoming a world champion

“There were many times where we would have to just throw everything away, like literally everything,” recalls Bowen “Monsoon” Fuller, his voice unwavering. The 28-year-old Apex Legends World Champion has come a long way from where he was, but there’s humility behind every word he utters.   “We’d go to a flea market for the last … Continued The post “A kid from nowhere”: Monsoon on homelessness, escapism, and becoming a world champion appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 20.08.2026 13:17 Uhr

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The International 2026 meta: It’s all about tanks, healing, and late games

The International 2026 (TI 2026) is currently underway in Shanghai — and if you’re a true Dota 2 fan, this is definitely an event you don’t want to miss. After 109 games in the group stage, we’ve already witnessed plenty of upsets, pocket strats, and unorthodox picks. More importantly, many clear trends have emerged around … Continued The post The International 2026 meta: It’s all about tanks, healing, and late games appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 20.08.2026 10:12 Uhr

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“Don’t waste your money”: Unraveling the stigma of esports degrees in higher education

“Professional gaming” is an industry that continues to confuse the masses, but as we move out of the era of billionaire sports-backed ventures closing in esports winter and begin relying on talent bred in the space, where is the pipeline? Can we rely solely on attracting hobbyists to push esports forward with businesses, tournaments, and … Continued The post “Don’t waste your money”: Unraveling the stigma of esports degrees in higher education appeared first o

Esports Insider 19.08.2026 23:21 Uhr

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The International 2026 main event predictions: who will claim the Aegis?

The International 2026 (TI 2026) has already delivered plenty of surprises, cutting the field down to the final eight teams after an unpredictable group stage and elimination round. Even though some of my earlier TI 2026 predictions didn’t pan out, I still finished in the 91st percentile – so I’m taking another shot at ranking … Continued The post The International 2026 main event predictions: who will claim the Aegis? appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 19.08.2026 09:12 Uhr

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What we learned from the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 esports season

Following OpTic Gaming’s successful defense of its Esports World Cup title in Paris, the curtain has fallen on the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 season. The latest installment of the Call of Duty League (CDL) featured everything from a much-needed return to Europe to several teams consistently battling at the top of the table … Continued The post What we learned from the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 esports season appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 19.08.2026 00:25 Uhr

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Some are asking, is the Esports World Cup bad for the FGC? The real question: Does it even matter?

The Esports World Cup has been a heavily debated event within the FGC. A segment of the esports scene that’s allergic to cringe and intoxicated by raw passion, the FGC has been largely against the EWC for quite some time. But is it actually a good thing for the fighting game scene? The FGC prides … Continued The post Some are asking, is the Esports World Cup bad for the FGC? The real question: Does it even matter? appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 18.08.2026 20:23 Uhr

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Why s1mple’s BC.Game deserves to be taken seriously

Few moves in modern Counter-Strike have generated as much intrigue as prolific Ukrainian AWPer Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyliev’s move to BC.Game. After years of dominance with NAVI and a prolonged absence from the professional circuit, questions about s1mple’s future had already begun to mount over when – and where – the undisputed GOAT of CS:GO would … Continued The post Why s1mple’s BC.Game deserves to be taken seriously appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 18.08.2026 08:45 Uhr

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China’s Dota 2 teams are eliminated from TI15, and even worse, they don’t seem to care

For the first time in Dota 2 history, zero Chinese teams have qualified for the top eight of The International, with Xtreme Gaming, Vici Gaming, and Team Resilience exiting TI15 in the group stage. This stings even more, as this year’s iteration is being hosted in Shanghai – their home turf. And though China’s absence … Continued The post China’s Dota 2 teams are eliminated from TI15, and even worse, they don’t seem to care appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 17.08.2026 18:56 Uhr

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Fainting at Supernova, distracting opponents at CEO 2026: Have Hungrybox’s pop-offs gone too far? No

The art of the pop-off has been perfected in Super Smash Bros. Melee. A grassroots scene known for its grit and passion, the sets can get quite intense, leading to some intense celebrations once someone beats a longtime rival or wins an incredibly difficult match. One of the most iconic pop-off-ers in Smash is Juan … Continued The post Fainting at Supernova, distracting opponents at CEO 2026: Have Hungrybox’s pop-offs gone too far? No appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 17.08.2026 18:42 Uhr

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How well did Paper Rex f0rsakeN perform on each VALORANT agent?

With his Gekko pick during Paper Rex’s VCT Pacific Stage 2 series against Team Secret on July 31st, Jason “f0rsakeN” Susanto has become the first player to have played every single VALORANT agent on a VCT stage at least once. He has undoubtedly proven himself as one of the game’s greatest flex players. But how … Continued The post How well did Paper Rex f0rsakeN perform on each VALORANT agent? appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 14.08.2026 19:46 Uhr

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