Unleashing Esports Fervor in Asia: The ESL and 1xBet Venture
Seven days spent in the bustling city of Bangkok, Thailand.
Asia is a treasure trove for esports, yet beneath its vibrant surface lies an untapped potential. The region, outside of China and South Korea, hasn't been showered with major tournaments. That's where heavyweights like ESL and 1xBet step in, giving esports in Asia the much-needed push.
The Youthful Giant: ESL
ESL's journey traces back to 1997 when Deutsche Clanliga first unfurled its esports banner. Since then, and under its current moniker, Electronic Sports League, the Cologne-based enterprise has been a trailblazer in the esports realm.
ESL has donned multiple hats; organizing tournaments, providing technical support, and even publishing an esports magazine. Its foresight about the importance of media coverage kickstarted online broadcasting of esports matches with expert commentary and high-quality studios. This was the birth of esports streaming community, a beacon that drew numerous fans to the industry.
A roster that includes Counter-Strike, Dota 2, Rainbow Six, StarCraft II, Battlefield 4, World of Tanks, and more, has resulted in a slew of international tournaments such as ESL Pro Tour, ESL One, Intel Extreme Masters, DreamLeague, and more. In 2020, ESL married with DreamHack, another esports giant, and Savvy Games Group (SGG) marked its acquisition in 2022 with a whopping $1.5 billion bid. The amalgamated entity, ESL FACEIT GROUP, now stands tall as a titan in the global esports industry.
ESL's Global Crusade: Counter-Strike
The first ESL One series tournament was born in the summer of 2014 in Frankfurt, and this year marked its glorious tenth anniversary. The series hit the limelight with ESL One Katowice 2015, a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive major in partnership with Valve. It became the largest event in esports history, drawing a record 100,000 attendees at the Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland, and over a million Twitch viewers.
Two years later, the company held another major, ESL One: Cologne 2016, at the Lanxess-Arena in its hometown. The latest significant partnership between ESL and 1xBet was lauded at the Intel Extreme Masters Rio Major 2022. Held in Rio de Janeiro, this was the first ESL championship with 1xBet branding up in the stands. With 1xBet's financial and marketing might, the prize pool exceeded $1 million for the first time, and the tradition continues.
ESL's Eastward Sojourn: Dota 2
The International, Dota 2's annual major, is traditionally jointly hosted by Valve and PGL. ESL, therefore, focuses on other Dota 2 events like majors and the ESL One Dota 2 series. In 2023, 1xBet became a series partner, doubling down on its efforts to bring esports to the masses.
Together, they hosted two successful Dota 2 tournaments (ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 and ESL One Birmingham 2024), and announced a third one - ESL One Bangkok 2024. This marks a shift in focus from Europe and America to Asia, a testament to the growing esports audience in the region.
ESL One Bangkok 2024 is shaping up to be a spectacle unlike any other. Twelve of the world's best Dota 2 teams will converge on the Thai capital, with one representing Asia. The tournament runs from December 9 to 15, with the playoffs stage at the Royal Paragon Hall in Bangkok.
Apart from the competitive action, fans can expect a Cosplay Showcase, an opportunity to don their favorite Dota 2 hero costumes and strut their stuff on stage.
Partnership for the Win: ESL and 1xBet
The partnership between ESL and 1xBet presents a win-win situation. For ESL, it offers increased commercial and media clout, and for fans, it promises more opportunities to attend major competitions.
Fancy becoming a partner and earning money online? Join the 1xBet Affiliate Program, with over 100,000 members and 3 million passionate players worldwide. As an affiliate, you stand to earn a lifetime commission of up to 50 percent per attracted client on 1xBet's platform. With generous bonuses, wide betting lines, and maximum odds, the 1xBet Affiliate Program offers promising opportunities for growth.
The success of ESL One Bangkok 2024 could pave the way for more major esports tournaments in Asia, a region teeming with passionate fans and ripe for esports growth.
- The region of Asia, outside the established esports hubs of China and South Korea, showcases a vibrant yet untapped potential for esports.
- Companies like ESL and 1xBet aim to leverage this potential, helping to advance esports in Asia.
- ESL, originating in 1997 as Deutsche Clanliga, has since evolved into the Electronic Sports League and has molded itself as a leader in the global esports scene.
- boasts a diverse roster of games, including Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and numerous others, which have led to numerous international tournaments.
- One of ESL's hallmark events, the ESL One series, in partnership with Valve, made history with ESL One Katowice 2015, becoming the largest esports event ever, attracting 100,000 attendees and over a million Twitch viewers.
- In 2023, 1xBet partnered with ESL for the ESL One Dota 2 series, signifying a shift in focus towards Asia, a testament to the growing esports audience in the region.
- Fans attending ESL One Bangkok 2024 can look forward to exciting events, such as a Cosplay Showcase, alongside the competitive Dota 2 tournament.
- The 1xBet Affiliate Program offers lucrative opportunities for those seeking to earn commissions by partnering with the betting platform, which boasts over 100,000 members and 3 million players worldwide.
