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ESL Betting Guide 2025 – Odds, Tips & Best Sites for ESL Pro League and ESL One
Last updated: 30 September 2025
I’ve been writing about and betting on esports for more than 10 years, and if there’s one organiser that always stands out, it’s the Electronic Sports League (ESL). From the ESL Pro League to ESL One Cologne, ESL has defined competitive gaming for two decades. For bettors, these events are among the most exciting — with strong bookmaker coverage, deep betting markets, and huge global audiences.
This guide covers everything you need to know about ESL betting in 2025: the best sites, tournament formats, odds, betting tips, and strategies.
Where to Bet on ESL (Pro League & ESL One)
If you’re serious about betting on ESL tournaments (ESL Pro League, ESL One, IEM), choosing the right sportsbook matters. These are our top recommended sites for 2025, picked for esports market depth, trusted licences, and smooth payouts. My top picks are GG.BET and BetOnline, with strong alternatives from Betway and Thunderpick.
WELCOME BONUS:
Welcome Bonus up to €3,500
✔ Esports-First Sportsbook
✔ Deep ESL & IEM Markets
✔ Rated 9.7/10
T&Cs apply • 18+ • Please gamble responsibly.
WELCOME BONUS:
50% Welcome Bonus up to $250 in Free Bets
✔ Popular in the USA
✔ Crypto & Card Payments
✔ Rated 9.7/10
T&Cs apply • 18+ • Please gamble responsibly.
WELCOME OFFER:
Free Bet Up To €50 + 50 Spins
✔ Early ESL & CS2 Odds
✔ Wide Market Coverage
✔ Rated 9.0/10
T&Cs apply • 18+ • Please gamble responsibly.
WELCOME BONUS:
100% Deposit Bonus up to €600
✔ Crypto-First Esportsbook
✔ Fast Payouts & Live Odds
✔ Rated 9.6/10
T&Cs apply • 18+ • Please gamble responsibly.
Pro tip: Odds can differ between books. It pays to keep more than one account so you can shop for the best ESL betting odds on ESL Pro League, ESL One, and IEM matches.
T&Cs apply • 18+ • Please gamble responsibly.
What is ESL?
The Electronic Sports League (ESL), founded in 2000 in Cologne, Germany, is one of the largest and most influential esports organisations in the world. Now part of the Savvy Gaming Group, ESL has expanded globally, running events across CS2, Dota 2, Rocket League, Valorant, and more.
ESL is also behind some of the most prestigious esports events: the ESL Pro League, ESL One, and Intel Extreme Masters (IEM). In 2024, ESL Pro League Season 19 peaked at over 1.5 million viewers, highlighting just how big these tournaments are for fans and bettors alike.
What is the ESL Pro League?
The ESL Pro League is considered one of the premier CS2 tournaments. Each season:
- 24 teams compete in four groups of six.
- Group stage matches are best-of-three (BO3), with top teams advancing to playoffs.
- Playoffs use a single-elimination bracket, with a best-of-five (BO5) grand final.
This structure makes betting particularly dynamic: BO3s allow for map-specific wagers, while high-pressure playoffs often produce upsets.
ESL Pro League Betting Markets
| Market Type | Explanation | Why It’s Popular |
|---|---|---|
| Match Winner | Bet on the team to win a BO3/BO5. | Simple and most widely used. |
| Map Handicap | Back an underdog to win at least one map. | Strong value play in BO3 group stages. |
| Total Maps (O/U) | Predict if a series goes the distance. | Ideal for closely matched teams. |
| Outright Winner | Pick the overall tournament champion. | Long-term, high-payout bets. |
| Player Props | Bet on kills, MVPs, or individual performance. | High-risk, high-reward niche market. |
ESL Pro League Betting Tips
From my own betting on ESL seasons, here are five tips that consistently matter:
- Check HLTV rankings and roster news before the season starts.
- Use proportional staking — spread your budget across matches, avoid going all-in.
- Consider LAN performance — some players thrive on stage, others struggle.
- Look for value in player props (kills bets often favour star riflers).
- Experiment with multi-bets — but use them sparingly due to higher risk.
ESL One & Intel Extreme Masters
Beyond the Pro League, ESL One and IEM are massive standalone events.
| Tournament | Game(s) | Typical Prize Pool | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESL One Cologne | CS2 | $1,000,000+ | Known as the “Cathedral of Counter-Strike.” |
| ESL One Hamburg | Dota 2 | $1,000,000+ | Prestigious standalone Dota event. |
| Intel Extreme Masters Katowice | CS2 / SC2 | $250,000+ | Flagship ESL event with global viewership. |
| Intel Extreme Masters Cologne | CS2 | $250,000+ | Second only to Katowice in prestige. |
These tournaments often attract both casual and professional bettors because of their prestige and large prize pools.
ESL Pro Tour for Dota 2
After Valve discontinued the Dota Pro Circuit in 2023, ESL introduced the ESL Pro Tour. It now functions as the pathway into The International, with DreamLeague among its flagship events.
For Dota 2 bettors, this means ESL has effectively become the backbone of competitive Dota, with bookmakers like GG.BET and Betway offering strong coverage.
ESL Impact & Regional Leagues
- ESL Impact – A dedicated women’s CS2 league, steadily growing and increasingly offered by top betting sites.
- Regional Leagues – ESL runs smaller national competitions like the ESL UK Premiership, ESL Polish Championship, ESL Brasil Premier League, and ESL ANZ.
These tournaments typically draw smaller audiences, but they’re excellent for value betting. Odds are often less accurate, giving informed bettors an edge.
Explore Our Game-Specific Betting Guides
ESL features multiple titles including CS2, Dota 2, Rocket League, and Valorant. Dive deeper with our dedicated guides below.
| Game | Betting Guide |
|---|---|
| CS2 (Counter-Strike 2) | CS2 Betting Guide |
| Dota 2 | Dota 2 Betting Guide |
| Rocket League | Rocket League Betting Guide |
| Valorant | Valorant Betting Guide |
| League of Legends (LoL) | LoL Betting Guide |
| Call of Duty | Call of Duty Betting Guide |
| PUBG | PUBG Betting Guide |
| Fortnite | Fortnite Betting Guide |
| Overwatch | Overwatch Betting Guide |
| Rainbow Six Siege | R6 Siege Betting Guide |
| StarCraft II | StarCraft II Betting Guide |
| FIFA | FIFA Esports Betting Guide |
Looking for the best bonuses and sites overall? Visit our Best Esports Betting Sites 2025 hub.
Responsible Gambling
Having bet on esports for years, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the action. Always:
- Set a bankroll and stick to it.
- Use methods like proportional staking for long events.
- Take breaks, especially during long ESL seasons.
T&Cs apply • 18+ • Please gamble responsibly.
FAQs – ESL Betting 2025
What is ESL betting?
ESL betting means placing wagers on matches and tournaments organised by the Electronic Sports League, including ESL Pro League, ESL One, and IEM.
Can I bet on ESL Pro League matches?
Yes. Major bookmakers like GG.BET, Betway, and Stake offer full coverage of ESL Pro League odds and markets.
What is ESL Impact betting?
ESL Impact is ESL’s women’s CS2 league. It’s growing quickly, and several bookmakers now offer betting markets for it.
Which sites have the best ESL betting odds?
From my testing, GG.BET, Betway, and Stake consistently provide strong odds and promotions for ESL tournaments.
Is ESL One betting popular?
Absolutely. ESL One Cologne and Hamburg are among the most prestigious esports tournaments, and betting volume is always high.
Conclusion
The ESL Pro League, ESL One, and Intel Extreme Masters are central to the esports calendar — and they’re some of the best events to bet on. With global prestige, huge prize pools, and deep betting markets, ESL betting in 2025 offers both entertainment and opportunity.
If you’re new to ESL betting, I recommend starting with GG.BET or Stake. Both offer excellent ESL coverage, strong promotions, and trusted platforms.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up or deposit through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend licensed sportsbooks I trust.
T&Cs apply • 18+ • Please gamble responsibly.
