CS2 Leads Esports Trading Volume on Kalshi as Prediction Markets Continue to Grow

Counter-Strike 2 has emerged as the dominant esport on Kalshi, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all esports prediction market activity during the first week of June.

According to data highlighted by Esports Insider, Kalshi's esports markets generated $36.18 million in total contract volume across 408 matches between June 1 and June 7. CS2 alone accounted for $23.7 million of that figure, representing 65.6% of all esports trading activity on the platform.

The figures underscore Counter-Strike's continued popularity among esports audiences while also highlighting the growing role prediction markets are playing within the competitive gaming ecosystem.

Counter-Strike Continues to Drive Market Activity

The timing of CS2's dominance is hardly surprising.

The first week of June coincided with the ongoing IEM Cologne Major 2026, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the Counter-Strike calendar. The event has generated significant interest from fans and prediction market participants alike, helping drive trading activity across hundreds of CS2-related contracts.

League of Legends ranked second with approximately $8.7 million in trading volume, accounting for 24% of Kalshi's esports activity during the same period. Valorant followed with roughly $2.1 million, while Dota 2 generated around $1.5 million in volume. Together, those four titles represented the overwhelming majority of esports activity on the platform.

Among individual markets, several CS2 matchups surpassed the $1 million mark in trading volume, reflecting the game's ability to consistently attract engagement across major international events.

Esports Becomes a Larger Part of Kalshi's Business

The latest numbers suggest esports has become a meaningful category for Kalshi.

While contract volume differs from traditional sportsbook handle, the data indicates growing user interest in esports prediction markets. Industry observers noted that daily esports trading volume on the platform has increased significantly compared to the beginning of the year, when activity was reportedly below the $1 million-per-day range.

Kalshi has continued investing in the category through new partnerships and product enhancements. Earlier this month, the company announced a multi-year agreement with Sportradar that could eventually bring official data services, integrity monitoring, and live esports streaming capabilities to the platform.

The operator has also expanded its esports offerings over the past year, benefiting from its move to a 24/7 trading model that allows users to participate in markets tied to international competitions regardless of time zone.

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Growth Continues Despite Regulatory Challenges

The strong esports figures arrive as Kalshi continues facing legal challenges across several states.

According to Esports.net, 39 states and the District of Columbia recently filed a brief supporting Ohio regulators in an ongoing legal dispute over the company's event contracts. The case is one of several battles surrounding how prediction markets should be regulated in the United States.

Despite that scrutiny, trading activity on the platform continues to grow. Counter-Strike's leading position demonstrates how major esports titles are becoming increasingly important to prediction market operators seeking new audiences beyond traditional sports.

With the IEM Cologne Major still underway and additional premier esports events scheduled throughout the summer, esports could remain one of the fastest-growing categories on prediction market platforms in the months ahead.

For the latest esports news, tournament coverage, and esports betting updates, stay tuned with UMG Gaming.