Counter-Strike saw major developments in 2024. The final big event brought together the top teams from across the globe and established the game’s popularity as a shooter. As the broadcast peaked at 1.3 million people, the final match between FaZe Clan and Team Spirit was the most popular with viewers and bettors. The $1.25 million prize pool attracted not only recognized world leaders but also up-and-coming lineups from various regions including the Philippines.
For the Filipino scene, the event was an opportunity to showcase their level and inspire new players. Counter-Strike is expected to grow even more in 2025, and the success of the 2024 tournaments, which included Filipino teams, only confirms that the discipline will continue to grow and attract the attention of the eSports community around the world.
Notable 2025 Developments in CS:GO Esports
Valve’s 2025 Counter-Strike 2 updates will redefine esports. Many countries, including Europe and North America, have eliminated open Majors criteria. This eliminates a lot of room for smaller teams with potential since only the top teams with the highest Valve Ratings may participate in competitions. The competitive CS2 squad may get frustrated and even exhausted as a result of this, especially top-tier teams who will be competing in every major event. On the other hand, it implies thrilling matches, believable plots, and plenty of betting options for spectators.
Additionally, Valve has announced that third-party event organizers like ESL and BLAST would be required to use the Valve Ratings to choose teams for invitations or to conduct open qualifications. Many of these outside competitions used to have partnered teams who were invited automatically. But it was deemed a “conflict of interest” by Valve. We can only hope that this will make these competitions more accessible to smaller teams that may not have the resources to compete in Valve’s Majors anymore.
Exciting New Events for Counter-Strike in 2025
2025 will see more significant Counter-Strike events than any year before. Given only six tournaments with prize pools exceeding $1,000,000 in 2024, compared to 2025, you may get an estimate of the degree of growth there will be. There are eleven such events planned as of this writing, and that number might rise even more when all tournaments and prize pools are finalized.
Apart from the ongoing events from PGL, ESL, and BLAST, a new tournament series known as FISSURE Playground will open in 2025. Two Belgrade tournaments will have about $1,000,000 in prize money. The September debut of Star Series Season 20 in Budapest will mark StarLadder’s return to Counter-Strike.
Rising prize pools will propel the Skyesports Masters, an Indian bit international tournament series, to Tier-S rank in 2025, which is an intriguing development in and of itself. With the United Arab Emirates and Qatar hosting not one but two YaLLa Compass events, the professional sector of the MENA region is also getting a notable boost in 2024. Furthermore, the 2025 Esports World Cup will award prizes totaling $1,250,000—$200,000 more than in past years.
Big tournaments planned almost every weekend abound in the 2025 Counter-Strike season. Four events worth over one million dollars are scheduled during the summer, ensuring a packed calendar.
Teams To Watch (And Bet On) In 2025
To find out which CS:GO teams, matches, and individuals were the most popular with gamblers, we analyzed recent betting trends and data from major tournaments. Certain teams and matchups consistently capture the attention of both bettors and fans, proving their popularity and competitive edge.
Top CS:GO 2 Teams in the Philippines:
5cent
5cent, a Southeast Asian powerhouse, is known for nurturing local players and playing well. As CS:GO 2 progresses, their regional competitive knowledge makes them one of the most intriguing teams to watch.
Audacity
Audacity, known for their FPS tournament consistency, will be a challenger in CS:GO 2. Filipino esports fans and bettors love their clever gaming and lineup that adapts swiftly to meta fluctuations.
Deca Esports
Innovative techniques and a loyal fanbase have propelled Deca Esports to fame. Their emphasis on developing Filipino talent gives them flair and drive in every encounter, making them a team to watch.
Bren
With great local and regional tournament performances, Bren could make a huge impression in CS:GO 2. Their high-pressure experience and strong team relationships will appeal to bettors seeking a competitive contender.
Moon Esports
Moon Esports, known for its dynamic gameplay and strategic adaptability, is another CS:GO 2 contender. Fans and bettors should choose them in 2025 due to their dedication to quality and progress.
Betting on these teams and a plethora of other esports events is available at https://ggbbets.com/en. You may enjoy the ever-changing world of esports and root for your favorite teams using our platform’s easy betting experience.
Player Props Accounted for 17% of Total Revenue
Individual player performance has risen to prominence among Filipino esports bettors. Bets based on total kills in matches and other performance measures now provide 17% of the overall betting income. There is a lot of faith among Filipino fans in their predictions of which teams and players will do well in games, since 60% of bets are put before matches and 40% are placed during action.
The spotlight is squarely on these elite Filipino players:
- Rajohn “EasTor” Gumi.
- Patrick “Derek” Lacson.
- Antonio “TonyPOPONY” Matuco.
- Kenny “kenzyy” Cruz.
- James “Retrac” Carter Ang.
- Ron “gii” Tecson.
- Dominic “CptHannibal” Fajardo.
- Stephen “Getz” Doron.
- Dan “Snap” Agulto.
For Filipino esports fans, betting on these teams and individuals is a fun way to become involved in the competitive scene and share their knowledge and enthusiasm for the game.
