By Sagar V. Mankar Esports betting platform Thunderpick recently announced their 2nd annual Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) tournament, the Thunderpick World Championship 2024.
With a whopping $1 million prize pool, up from $600,000 last year, this event is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and lucrative esports competitions of 2024.
But what makes this tournament so special? And why is the esports community buzzing with anticipation? Let’s break it down.
When and Where Are the Qualifiers?
The Thunderpick World Championship 2024 will kick off on April 1st with six regional qualifiers across Europe, North America, and South America.
South America is a new addition this year, highlighting the global growth of esports.
The qualifying events will be held fully online within each region, while further details on scheduling will be released soon on the Thunderpick website.
The World Finals will be a LAN event take place in late October at a yet-to-be-determined live venue.
Massive Prize Pool Up for Grabs
The total $1 million prize pool marks a significant increase from the $600,000 up for grabs last year.
The 2023 finals peaked at over 144K live viewers, proving the popularity of this emerging CS2 tournament.
While last year’s winners took home their bounty in Bitcoin, the 2024 champions will receive old-fashioned cash.
This may increase the appeal for some pro players who prefer hard currency over crypto.
We’re pumped to announce the Thunderpick World Championship 2024!
This year, the top teams in CS2 will go head to head for a record-breaking $1,000,000 prize pool 🔥
Make sure to follow us for team announcements, updates and special promos in this year’s #ThunderpickWC ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/6rZvY0FFBi
— Thunderpick (@thunderpickco) February 13, 2024
Thunderpick Renews Partnership with GRID
To power the 2024 tournament, Thunderpick has renewed its collaboration with esports data company GRID.
GRID will once again provide its industry-leading tournament software, data analytics, and infrastructure to support the event’s operations.
This proven partnership ensures a smooth competitive environment and compelling viewing experience that fans have come to expect.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Esports Betting?
The Thunderpick World Championship 2024 arrives on the heels of continued evolution in the esports betting space through 2022 and 2023.
Other Esports betting platforms like Unikrn downsized to refocus their offering, while Picklebet and GG.BET expanded into new markets.
This indicates an industry still finding its identity but with massive growth potential.
As esports explodes in popularity, especially amongst younger demographics, expect more betting companies to target this sector.
With its big-money CS2 tournament, Thunderpick is staking an early claim as a leader in this emerging industry.