Games like CS:GO, Dota 2, League of Legends, and Valorant, which are top of their leagues, have millions of fans and punters who watch and play along. Betting sites like GGbet are some of the best to oversee the betting action. The competitive scene grew, with both players and bettors getting in deep. It is not surprising that favorites are often favored, but the good thing is that there have been moments when underdogs came wholly and outshone the set expectations, making history books amongst the greatest upsets in esports betting history.
#1 Team EnVyUs vs. Luminosity Gaming – MLG Columbus 2016 (CS:GO)
Brazilian underdogs Luminosity Gaming shocked the world by beating the reigning champions, Team EnVyUs, in a top CS:GO tournament. Although EnVyUs were highly favored going into the match, Luminosity’s raw firepower and tactics were simply too much for them to handle. That win allowed Luminosity to eventually become world champions and have bettors begin to see that Brazil was a developing CS:GO power.
#2 EHOME vs. Evil Geniuses – The International 2016 (Dota 2)
EHOME shocked the world by beating Evil Geniuses in the group stage of TI6. When EHOME’s aggressive play style caught the EG by surprise, it became one of the best underdog bets to cash in.
#3 Royal Never Give Up vs. Fnatic – IEM Katowice 2016 (League of Legends)
Fnatic was a fan favorite until early losses, particularly against RNG, not only crushed their tournament aspirations but also many betting slips as well. For those expecting the Fnatic to dominate, this was a huge blow.
#4 Kinguin vs. G2 Esports – DreamHack Open 2018 (CS:GO)
An underdog Polish team – Kinguin – knocked out the much stronger G2 Esports. Such a result was unexpected by everyone, and big paybacks from betting with high odds are the reward for those who take risks.
#5 Wildcard Gaming vs. ENCE – IEM Katowice 2024 (CS:GO)
North American mix team Wildcard Gaming upset European veterans ENCE in group play in a CS:GO upset. They were expected to coast through, but an inconsistent bid and a sharp aim from Wildcard sent ENCE crashing out in surprise. As the unknowns tempted bettors, many of them paid the price.
#6 Unicorns of Love vs. Team SoloMid – IEM San Jose 2015 (League of Legends)
Unicorns of Love lived up to their mythical name by knocking out fan-favorites TSM in an early bracket match. TSM had strong odds from both analysts and fans, but UoL’s unpredictable picks and innovative team fights created a stunning victory. This upset became a classic underdog moment in League history.
#7 CDEC Gaming vs. LGD Gaming – The International 2015 (Dota 2)
Wildcard team CDEC sprung a surprise in beating top Chinese squad LGD in the upper bracket final, stunning fans and bookmakers alike. CDEC did what TI5 wanted, with their aggressive playstyle and fearless execution taking them to the grand finals, and proved to be one of the most profitable teams for bettors that year.
#8 Cloud9 vs. FaZe Clan – ELEAGUE Boston Major 2018 (CS:GO)
Cloud9 beat the tournament favorites FaZe Clan in a 2–1 classic that went to both halves of the final map in double overtime, possibly one of the greatest CS:GO finals ever. Cloud9’s win as underdogs from North America, which thrilled the fans, was not only good news for the home team; it also yielded great payback for those who bet on Cloud9.
#9 DRX vs. T1 – League of Legends World Championship 2022
In the grand final between DRX and Korean titans T1, DRX’s run in Worlds 2022 ended with a phenomenal upset. T1 were the favorites to win it all, while DRX had been one of the play-in underdogs. DRX’s veteran resilience and clever macro play, on the other hand, allowed them to secure a 3–2 win against all predictions. Rare high returns were brought to the punters who stayed true to DRX throughout the knockout stages.
#10 Team Spirit vs. PSG.LGD – The International 2021 (Dota 2)
Team Spirit’s defeat of PSG. LGD 3–2 in the TI10 grand final was one of the most legendary Dota 2 betting stories ever, and deservedly so. Across the tournament, Spirit was considered a massive underdog due to having to play from the lower bracket. The win, capped off with phenomenal odds for daring punters, earned them more than $18 million in prize money.
