After another incredible event this past weekend, we need to talk about CS:GO Esports 2022. Indeed, arguably one of the top esports in the world manages to keep improving and growing in every aspect. Accordingly, in this featured discussion we’ll be discussing what makes this esport so successful!
CS:GO Esports 2022 – Endless Events
So, what’s the most important aspect of a succesful esport?
In our opinion, having consistent and meaningful international events. Indeed, through events, the esport can move forward, make changes and create further competition.
Most of the esports in the industry opt for either two structures. Specifically, there’s the third-party design where third-party organizers, not the publishers of the title, mainly organize events. An example of this include StarCraft II esports and tends to be less successful due to less organization over the year.
Meanwhile, first-party design involves the publisher strictly controlling the pace of competition with little competition outside the premier events. Examples of this include franchised esports such as Overwatch, League of Legends and Call of Duty esports. While this offers more structure, there is often a lack of competition and less frequent tournament events.
Bearing this in mind, CS:GO strikes a perfect balance of third-party and first-party events. With Valve heavily involved in designing a balanced competitive scene, the year is simply bursting with events.
For context, take a look at all of the following events for the 2022 season – all of which are S-Tier events with huge prize pools and international competition:
- BLAST Premier Spring Groups – January/February
- IEM Katowice – February
- ESL Pro League Season 15 – March/April
- PGL Major Antwerp 2022 – May
- IEM XVII Dallas – May
- BLAST Premier Spring Finals 2022 – June
- Roobet Cup – June
- IEM Cologne – July
- BLAST Premier Fall Groups – August
- ESL Pro League Season 16 – August/October
- IEM XVII Rio Major Antwerp 2022 – October/November
- Elisa Masters Espoo 2022 – November
- BLAST Premier Fall Finals – November
- BLAST Premier World Finals – December
Overall, the combination of events organized by PGL, BLAST and ESL together with Valve has led to some incredible competition and a season full of opportunities for teams and fans to enjoy the esport.
CS:GO Esports 2022 – Consistent Viewership
So much so, even though CS:GO esports kicked off back in 2012, viewership is still growing. Especially since CS:GO has offered the most impressive bounce back since the global situation, here are the top 5 viewed events ever for the esport thanks to Esports Charts:
- PGL Major Stockholm 2021 – 2,748,120 Peak Viewers
- PGL Major Antwerp 2022 – 2,113,610 Peak Viewers
- ELEAGUE Major 2017 – 1,331,781 Peak Viewers
- ELEAGUE Major 2018 – 1,329,096 Peak Viewers
- IEM Cologne 2022 – 1,249,426 Peak Viewers
This past weekend, IEM Cologne 2022 offered the highest non-Major viewership of all-time for CS:GO.
Furthermore, 3 of the top 5 events have taken place within the past 5 years. So yes, the ridiculous amount of superb events is being absolutely loved by the community – encouraged further by unique incentives such as the IEM Grand Slam.
In addition, many of these events, outside of perhaps the BLAST Premier partnership program, remain with an Open Format. Specifically this means that any team can earn a spot in the competition should they earn enough points – this makes events more exciting and qualification allows for more competition for viewers to enjoy.
In addition, a global approach to event venues, ranging from Stockholm to Rio and to Dallas, is allowing for a healthy growth of the esport which doesn’t seem to be slowing.
CS:GO Esports 2022 – Franchising is Not Necessary
In conclusion, the one point to drive home here is the lack of need for franchising.
Indeed, other esports such as LoL and Overwatch have opted for the franchise model, but CS:GO continues to prove that it isn’t necessary to sustain an esport and maintain growth over multiple years.
We highly recommend keeping up to date with the esport here on esportsguide!
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