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Chess should be played over the board at the Esports World Cup

The chess category at the Esports World Cup has a $1.5 million USD prize pool. That is almost on par with the Grand Chess Tour’s prize pool of $2,000,000 USD, which is dispersed over the course of six tournaments. The EWC is giving it away in one.  That places the EWC among the world’s best-funded … Continued The post Chess should be played over the board at the Esports World Cup appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 11.08.2026 18:03 Uhr

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Dota 2 Fantasy picks for TI 2026: best players, Emblems, and more

Dota 2 Fantasy returns for The International 2026 (TI 2026), giving everyone another way to follow the action and earn rewards throughout the tournament. Available directly inside the Compendium, Fantasy lets you build a roster from competing players and score points based on their in-game performances. Here’s how to play Dota 2 Fantasy, including the … Continued The post Dota 2 Fantasy picks for TI 2026: best players, Emblems, and more appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 11.08.2026 13:00 Uhr

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Can Counter-Strike 2 break the EWC 2026 viewership record?

The Esports World Cup (EWC) mega-event is well underway in Paris, boasting an eye-watering $75 million prize pool, spread across 25 tournaments and 24 titles. As one of the most significant remaining events, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) runs from Aug. 12–23, with 32 of the best teams lighting up the servers. With hundreds, if not thousands, … Continued The post Can Counter-Strike 2 break the EWC 2026 viewership record? appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 11.08.2026 08:30 Uhr

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“Before you do a pull-up, you should be able to hang on the bar”: NA pros and coaches aren’t worried about the East, they’re worried about fixing the path to pro first

FlyQuest jungler Johnson “Griffynn” Le moved to Korea at 16 years old to try and climb up the region’s brutal League of Legends player development system. It was uncomfortable, especially since – by his estimation – he probably could have been in the LCS by then. But the lure of playing in the hotbed of … Continued The post “Before you do a pull-up, you should be able to hang on the bar”: NA pros and coaches aren’t worried about the East, they’re worried about fixin

Esports Insider 10.08.2026 18:57 Uhr

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“Unacceptable conditions”: The VALORANT Challengers Americas LCQ disaster highlights potential pitfalls of the 2027 VCT ecosystem

The question of how much freedom versus top-down control game publishers should implement in their respective esports ecosystems is often raised in discussions of esports sustainability and profitability.  However, as showcased by the recent disasterclass of a Grand Final during the VALORANT Challengers Americas Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), this question also carries relevance in the … Continued The post “Unacceptable conditions”: The VALORANT Challengers Americas LCQ disaster highli

Esports Insider 10.08.2026 12:23 Uhr

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BLAST Open Porto 2026 preview: schedule, format, teams, and more

BLAST Premier returns to Portugal, but this time it’s breaking new ground. After three stops in Lisbon, BLAST Open Porto 2026 will take the world’s top Counter-Strike 2 teams to Porto for the first time – all fighting for a cut of a $1.1 million prize pool. Taking place right after the Esports World Cup … Continued The post BLAST Open Porto 2026 preview: schedule, format, teams, and more appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 10.08.2026 11:53 Uhr

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Gambling in esports: Oddin expands, BIG partners with Razed, League of Legends grows at Kalshi

“We are not taking an esports product and placing it in a casino lobby,” Market Suchar, the co-founder and managing director at Oddin.gg says. Suchar’s comments came as Oddin announced the launch of its new venture, Oddin Casino, which will see the esports specialist branching out into casino gaming.  “Casino has its own rules, audiences, … Continued The post Gambling in esports: Oddin expands, BIG partners with Razed, League of Legends grows at Kalshi appeared first on Esports Inside

Esports Insider 08.08.2026 00:07 Uhr

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Nobody is playing fighting games anymore, and Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls isn’t helping

My X feed is basically everyone and their mom talking about how unplayable Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is after ongoing PC performance issues. And it sucks, because I was looking forward to this one. While it may just seem like the FGC complaining again, this is an ongoing issue with fighting games that has reached … Continued The post Nobody is playing fighting games anymore, and Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls isn’t helping appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 07.08.2026 19:08 Uhr

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Alright, I’ve watched the Tekken 8 EWC tourney so far, and here is my prediction for the Top 8

The excitement never ends for the FGC at the Esports World Cup, with Tekken 8 currently in full swing. Even in just the first two group stages, the competition has already shown that it’s going to be fierce and that nobody is handing out free wins. With that said, wouldn’t it be fun to predict … Continued The post Alright, I’ve watched the Tekken 8 EWC tourney so far, and here is my prediction for the Top 8 appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 07.08.2026 17:38 Uhr

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AI vs expert: Return of the bots for LEC week three predictions

Week three of the LEC Summer Split is upon us, and the humans-versus-robots scoreboard is starting to take shape. Look away now, clanker nay-sayers. After week one, it was Claude and Gemini cashing in while ChatGPT and our expert, Craig Robinson nursed their fictional losses. Week two saw one clanker hypothetically cash in, and my … Continued The post AI vs expert: Return of the bots for LEC week three predictions appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 07.08.2026 14:35 Uhr

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Valve has finally made Dota 2 worth grinding again with the latest MMR system update

It’s no secret that professional Dota 2 players have been breaking MMR records like twice a year. Most recently, we had PARIVISION’s wonderkid Alan “Satanic” Gallyamov breaking the 18,000 MMR milestone, becoming the first in the world to do so. However, nobody really celebrated this accomplishment… Not because it isn’t impressive, but because it happens … Continued The post Valve has finally made Dota 2 worth grinding again with the latest MMR system update appeared first

Esports Insider 06.08.2026 22:22 Uhr

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Warzone esports is at risk of being ruined by controversial audio tunes

In battle royale titles such as Call of Duty: Warzone, audio plays a critical role for players dropping into the action. With optimal audio settings, it’s possible to hear the footsteps of nearby opponents, resulting in greater awareness when planning the next move around the battlefield.  Following the conclusion of the Warzone Resurgence Series (WRS), … Continued The post Warzone esports is at risk of being ruined by controversial audio tunes appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 06.08.2026 22:03 Uhr

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“The struggle has to exist!”: The FGC is finally realizing games don’t have to be hard to be good

The fighting game community has a gatekeeping problem. When Evo attempted to bring in a mainstream gaming audience by inviting streamers to have showmatches at the large fighting game event, the FGC reacted with rage. The FGC wants things to be authentic, genuine, and passionate. They only want streamers at the event who actually care … Continued The post “The struggle has to exist!”: The FGC is finally realizing games don’t have to be hard to be good appeared first on Es

Esports Insider 05.08.2026 22:43 Uhr

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Does gaming really burn calories? What the science says

Anyone who’s crawled out of a tense ranked match or double-overtime game knows an all-too-familiar feeling. Your palms are sweaty, your heart is pounding, and you leave the match feeling as though you have been put through the wringer. The only problem is that, apart from moving a mouse and tapping a keyboard, your body … Continued The post Does gaming really burn calories? What the science says appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 05.08.2026 14:50 Uhr

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I’m either a psychic or I cursed 2XKO to fail: Riot’s fighter could be on its last leg at CEO 2026

I’ve been saying that 2XKO is a dead game for a while. I know we all love to say that in the esports industry, but it just felt like a matter of time. While my colleague has argued with me that Riot’s 2v2 fighter will always have a place in the FGC, I’ve always felt … Continued The post I’m either a psychic or I cursed 2XKO to fail: Riot’s fighter could be on its last leg at CEO 2026 appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 04.08.2026 22:03 Uhr

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“It’s important to foster the grassroots nature of TCGs”: T1 CEO Joe Marsh talks entering Rifbound, T1 bundle cards, and grassroots communities

Back in June, T1, the most decorated esports organization in League of Legends, revealed it had signed Nick “LS” De Cesare as its inaugural Riftbound signee. For those unaware, Riftbound is not an esport, but a TCG version of Riot Games’ League of Legends. It was a significant move, and perhaps one of the hallmarks … Continued The post “It’s important to foster the grassroots nature of TCGs”: T1 CEO Joe Marsh talks entering Rifbound, T1 bundle cards, and

Esports Insider 04.08.2026 21:29 Uhr

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Supernova and CEO are coming, but the discourse has muddied the excitement. The FGC complains way too much, I’ll admit it

I never thought I’d say this, but the FGC complains too much. Yes, even for me. There are a ton of fighting game events coming up. The Esports World Cup (if you care) has Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6 this weekend. Supernova is happening at the same time if you’re a Smash fan. CEO … Continued The post Supernova and CEO are coming, but the discourse has muddied the excitement. The FGC complains way too much, I’ll admit it appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 03.08.2026 23:13 Uhr

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Community is the key to the esports industry’s success, not winning tournaments, says Fnatic’s former CEO

Esports is going in the wrong direction, if you ask me. And nobody has asked me. But all this focus on bravado, mainstream appeal, and flashiness won’t spell long-term success. To make esports viable, we need community. Wouter Sleijffers was the CEO of Fnatic from 2015 to 2019. He was there for many iconic moments … Continued The post Community is the key to the esports industry’s success, not winning tournaments, says Fnatic’s former CEO appeared first on Esports Insider

Esports Insider 31.07.2026 23:00 Uhr

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Riot Games’ suspension of League of Legends player Syzyf raises questions

Last week, Riot Games announced the suspension of Polish League of Legends player Jakub “Syzyf” Ruta. Riot announced a 12-month ban for the player, who allegedly allowed family members to bet on his matches.  The ban appears to be either too long or too short, depending on what bets the family member placed on Syzyf’s … Continued The post Riot Games’ suspension of League of Legends player Syzyf raises questions appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 31.07.2026 15:49 Uhr

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It’s time for Call of Duty esports to return to an open ecosystem

Over the past decade, the Call of Duty esports scene has experienced a wealth of peaks and troughs as a result of format changes that have managed to gatekeep one of gaming’s most passionate communities.  While the Call of Duty League (CDL) has slowly started showing signs of success, the return of an open ecosystem … Continued The post It’s time for Call of Duty esports to return to an open ecosystem appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 31.07.2026 15:41 Uhr

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AI vs expert: Human to bounce back for LEC Week 2 against Claude, Gemini and ChatGPT?

Week two of the LEC Summer Split is here, and so is round two of —drum-roll, please—humans versus robots. Last week, I handed Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini the opening-weekend LEC fixtures, plus the handicap markets and Over/Unders, and asked each to build a $10 accumulator. Craig Robinson vowed to beat the bots and triumph for … Continued The post AI vs expert: Human to bounce back for LEC Week 2 against Claude, Gemini and ChatGPT? appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 31.07.2026 11:56 Uhr

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EWC 2026 viewership recap: which games attracted the most viewers?

The Esports World Cup (EWC) returned in 2026 with a life-changing $75 million prize pool, spread across 25 tournaments and a cross-title Club Championship. However, even the magnitude of an event like the EWC cannot guarantee that every competition will attract the same attention. Among the completed tournaments included in this analysis, League of Legends … Continued The post EWC 2026 viewership recap: which games attracted the most viewers? appeared first on Esports Insider.

Esports Insider 31.07.2026 10:55 Uhr

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Marvel Tōkon Fighting Souls beta broke Steam records, but its future in the FGC seems dire

If you thought the fighting game community was going to have a quiet, peaceful weekend during the Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls open beta, you clearly do not know the FGC. Between massive regional controversies before the servers even opened, unprecedented player numbers, stuttering PC performance, and pros screaming at each other on social media over … Continued The post Marvel Tōkon Fighting Souls beta broke Steam records, but its future in the FGC seems dire appeared first on Esports Ins

Esports Insider 30.07.2026 20:28 Uhr

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Fighting games are getting too slow, and (breaking news) the FGC is conflicted and salty about it

Fighting games have been around since the late 90s, with tournaments following shortly. Like other esports scenes, this one is undergoing constant evolution. Fighting game tournaments are also unique in that, unlike other esports such as VALORANT or League of Legends, every tournament features a collection of games rather than a single title. However, this … Continued The post Fighting games are getting too slow, and (breaking news) the FGC is conflicted and salty about it appeared first o

Esports Insider 30.07.2026 16:08 Uhr

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