Esports World Cup sees quantity rise at Kalshi, however MSI and IEM stay greatest occasions

Esports World Cup sees quantity rise at Kalshi, however MSI and IEM stay greatest occasions

August 29, 2026


MSI 2025 followers Photograph by Liu YiCun/Riot Video games

The ultimate week of the Esports World Cup noticed document buying and selling volumes on Kalshi. Over $95 million was traded throughout esports occasions within the final seven days of the match. 

This was up from $90 million the earlier week. Quantity exceeded $70 million each week of the match aside from one, though not all of the buying and selling was on the World Cup. 

Actually, as a lot was traded on League of Legends occasions final week as Counter-Strike 2, regardless of the latter taking headline billing on the World Cup. Each video games noticed a complete quantity of round $32 million.

IEM Cologne leads World Cup in CS2 quantity

Spirit vs. Vitality within the quarterfinals was the most-traded CS2 match on the Esports World Cup. Quantity surpassed the $3 million mark throughout all markets. This was simply greater than the ultimate between Spirit and FUT Esports, which had $2.9 million. 

Regardless of final week breaking the document for the best weekly esports quantity ever on Kalshi, IEM Cologne stays the most-traded CS2 occasion. Over $109 million was traded over the course of the match  

Spirit’s match in opposition to Group Falcons at IEM stays probably the most traded match, with quantity exceeding $4.5 million throughout all markets. 

Trying on the greatest match winner markets, IEM Cologne dominates the highest 10, with eight of the matches, based on information from TickerTracker. 

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Picture Credit score: TicketTracker

League of Legends now firmly most traded recreation

When IEM Cologne occurred, CS2 dominated Kalshi’s esports class, accounting for round 65% of all buying and selling. It has now been surpassed by League of Legends. 

Over the previous 28 days, common every day quantity on League of Legends is at nearly $5 million, up from round $2 million this time final month. CS2 peaked at $4.6 million in June after which rose once more to round $4 million through the World Cup final week. 

MSI stays probably the most traded LoL occasion. Lyon vs. Hanwha Sports activities was the most-traded match throughout all occasions, with $5.9 million in quantity. 

match winner markets, which see the best volumes, all 10 prime in LoL have been at MSI. 

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Picture Credit score: TicketTracker

Esports buying and selling passes $1 billion at Kalshi and Polymarket

Within the 12 months up to now, over $1.3 billion has been traded on esports at Kalshi, with League of Legends and CS2 accounting for round 85% of that. 

At Polymarket, League of Legends additionally attracts larger buying and selling volumes, with matches averaging $1.2 million in comparison with CS2 at just below $1 million. 

These numbers will not be far off main league sports activities, with NHL matches averaging $3 million in quantity. NBA and MLB are round $4 million per match, with the NFL main the best way at over $5 million. Given the rise in prediction markets for the reason that Tremendous Bowl, the brand new NFL season is anticipated to draw far larger buying and selling volumes on each Polymarket and Kalshi. 

It ought to, in fact, be famous that buying and selling quantity isn’t the identical as sports activities betting deal with. Sportsbook deal with solely notes the quantity wagered by gamblers, whereas buying and selling quantity consists of each the cash wagered on one aspect and the potential payout on the opposite. 

However, the rising numbers present an increasing number of customers are flocking to esports prediction markets. 

As ever, there have been a number of developments in authorized battles between states and prediction markets this week. Essentially the most notable is maybe Connecticut, which has filed a brand new lawsuit in opposition to Kalshi in search of to dam the platform’s sports activities markets.

A choose in Connecticut already dominated that Kalshi’s markets are sports activities betting, however Kalshi appealed to the Second Circuit. Whereas that enchantment is ongoing, the state seeks an order prohibiting Kalshi’s sports activities markets in the identical approach they’re now blocked in Michigan, Nevada, and Washington state. 

Elsewhere, a choose in Montana dominated in opposition to Kalshi, which might outcome within the operator being blocked in Large Sky Nation. Watch this area for additional developments. Esports World Cup Sees Quantity Rise At Kalshi, However MSI and IEM Stay Greatest Occasions

The ultimate week of the Esports World Cup noticed document buying and selling volumes on Kalshi. Over $95 million was traded throughout esports occasions within the final seven days of the match. 

This was up from $90 million the earlier week. Quantity exceeded $70 million each week of the match bar one, though not all of the buying and selling was on the World Cup. 

Actually, as a lot was traded on League of Legends occasions final week as CS2, regardless of the latter taking headline billing on the World Cup. Each video games noticed a complete quantity of round $32 million. 

Steven is a passionate sports enthusiast and writer who enjoys sharing insights, stories, and analysis from the world of football and beyond. With a keen eye for detail and a love for the game, he brings readers closer to the action while keeping them informed and entertained.