Hottest Esports Events and Betting Markets in May 2024

Esports continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and May 2024 promises to be an exhilarating month for fans and bettors alike. With a diverse lineup of tournaments featuring popular titles such as League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and more, there's no shortage of action to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Evolution of Esports

Since the early 2000s, esports has grown from a niche hobby to a global phenomenon. What began with small LAN parties and online tournaments has transformed into a multi-billion dollar industry, attracting millions of viewers and offering life-changing prize pools for players.

Esports Events in May 2024

May 2024 kicks off with the highly anticipated Mid-Season Invitational 2024 for League of Legends, held in China from May 1st to 19th. Fans of Apex Legends can look forward to the ALGS: 2024 Split 1 Playoffs in the US from May 2nd to 5th. Dota 2 enthusiasts have two exciting tournaments to follow: PGL Wallachia Season 1 in Romania (May 10th – 19th) and DreamLeague Season 23 (May 20th – 26th).

Counter-Strike 2 takes centre stage with three major events: BetBoom Dacha Belgrade 2024 in Serbia (May 14th – 19th), CCT Global Finals (May 16th – 25th), and IEM Dallas 2024 in the US (May 27th – June 2nd). The Call of Duty League 2024: Stage 3 Major will be held in Canada from May 16th to 19th, while Rainbow Six fans can enjoy the Rainbow Six Major Manchester in the UK from May 16th to 26th.

VALORANT enthusiasts eagerly await VCT 2024: Masters Shanghai in China (May 23rd – June 9th), and PUBG fans can follow the PMSL – Americas Spring 2024 (May 22nd – June 26th) and PUBG Global Series 2024 Phase 3 in China on May 31st. Other notable events include the OWCS Major 1 for Overwatch 2 and the HCS 2024: London Major for Halo, both taking place from May 31st to June 2nd.

Teams to Watch

Front Runners

As these tournaments approach, keep an eye on the dominant teams looking to maintain their winning streaks. In League of Legends, teams like T1, Gen.G, and FunPlus Phoenix are expected to make waves at MSI 2024. Counter-Strike 2 powerhouses such as Natus Vincere, FaZe Clan, and Astralis will likely be in top form for the major events in May.

Underdogs

Don't count out the underdogs, though. Esports is known for its surprises, and rising stars can emerge at any moment. Keep an eye on teams like Team Liquid in Apex Legends, OG in Dota 2, and Team Secret in VALORANT, as they have the potential to upset the favourites and make deep runs in their respective tournaments.

Betting Markets to Explore

May 2024 presents a wealth of betting opportunities for esports enthusiasts. Let's explore some of the most popular betting markets:

Match Winner

The simplest and most common betting market, match winner bets involve predicting which team will win a specific match. For example, in the League of Legends MSI 2024 final, you could bet on T1 to defeat Gen.G.

Map Winner

In games like Counter-Strike 2 and VALORANT, you can bet on which team will win a specific map within a series. For instance, you might bet on Natus Vincere to win Map 1 (Dust II) against FaZe Clan in the IEM Dallas 2024 grand final.

First Blood/First Kill

This type of bet revolves around predicting which team will secure the first kill in a match. In a Dota 2 showdown between OG and Team Secret at DreamLeague Season 23, you could bet on OG's midlaner to get the first blood.

Total Maps Played

For series-based matches, you can bet on the total number of maps that will be played. If Astralis and Heroic face off in a best-of-five series at the CCT Global Finals, you might bet on the match going to a full five maps.

Tournament Winner

If you're feeling confident, you can place an outright bet on which team will win an entire tournament. For example, you could bet on Atlanta FaZe to triumph at the Call of Duty League 2024: Stage 3 Major.

Correct Score

In this betting market, you predict the exact score of a match or series. For example, in a best-of-three series between FunPlus Phoenix and Royal Never Give Up at the League of Legends MSI 2024, you could bet on the final score being 2-1 in favour of FunPlus Phoenix.

Handicap Betting

Handicap betting involves giving a virtual advantage or disadvantage to a team to level the playing field. If Team Liquid is facing off against a weaker opponent in the ALGS: 2024 Split 1 Playoffs, you might bet on Team Liquid with a -1.5 map handicap, meaning they need to win the series by at least two maps for your bet to be successful.

Player/Team Props

Player or team prop bets focus on specific achievements within a match. For instance, you could bet on s1mple from Natus Vincere to score over 25.5 kills on the first map against G2 Esports in the CCT Global Finals for Counter-Strike 2.

Map Duration

This betting market allows you to predict how long a specific map will last. In a Dota 2 match between Team Secret and Virtus.pro at PGL Wallachia Season 1, you might bet on the first map lasting over 35 minutes.

Region of Winner

For international tournaments, you can bet on which region the winning team will come from. At the Rainbow Six Major Manchester, you could bet on a European team to take home the trophy.

Place Your Bets at Galera Bet

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