Online games in India now offer real-money rewards and fast-growing esports action. Popular titles like Free Fire, Valorant, CS2, Dota 2, MLBB, PUBG Mobile and Apex Legends let players watch tournaments and compete while earning cash.
With so many games out there, here’s a quick guide to the top online games for 2026, plus the 5 most-followed titles in India’s Esports scene.
Top 5 Online Games for Esports (2026)
1. Counter-Strike 2 (CS2)
CS2 is round-based, so most prediction markets focus on pistol rounds, total kills, headshots, and which team wins certain rounds.
- If a bomb kills a player, it doesn’t count as a kill.
- If a player disconnects but the game continues as normal, the results will still be valid.
Everything is settled using the official round-by-round scoreboard.
2. Dota 2
Dota 2 is chaotic, so rules focus on fairness.
- If a player disconnects before First Blood and never returns → all bets void.
- Most markets track the achievement of initial objectives, such as the first tower, Roshan, smoke or shard.
The final results always follow the official scoreboard or broadcast.
3. League of Legends (LoL)
LoL has many objective-based markets:
- first dragon
- first turret
- first Herald
- Which team hits X kills first, etc.
If an objective never spawns or is not killed, predictions are usually refunded. Some markets settle as soon as a team reaches a certain kill count.
4. Valorant
Valorant rules are simple.
Predictions usually target:
- Pistol Round 1 and Pistol Round 13
- Who wins each half
- How a round ends: elimination / spike planted / spike defused / timeout
Deaths from spike explosion don’t count as kills. Everything else is straightforward and based on round results.
5. Mobile Legend: Bang Bang (MLBB)
LBB has strict fairness checks:
- Less than 10 players at start → void
- Player disconnects before 10 minutes → void
- Admin win before 10 minutes → void
After 10 minutes, all results stand. Most rules simply ensure that the match was fair before anything is settled.
2026 Popular Online Esport Games
Below are 10 of the most-played, most-watched, and most-followed esports titles, with their gameplay style and why they’re so popular. And Vegas11 offers free live-streams and different platforms for you to bet, all games mentioned below are included.
1. Valorant
What it is:
A 5v5 tactical FPS by Riot Games where players pick unique Agents and battle to plant or defuse the Spike.
Playstyle:
- Precise aim + tactical utility
- Each Agent has abilities (smokes, flashes, walls)
- Strategic team play, map control, and tight gunfights
Why it’s popular:
- Low PC requirements
- Very active Indian esports scene (VCL, VCT qualifiers)
- Streamers & creators built a huge community
- Predictable round structure → great for esports betting
2. CS2 (Counter-Strike 2)
What it is:
The next-generation version of Counter-Strike with enhanced graphics and improved mechanics.
Playstyle:
- Pure gun-skill focus
- Classic tactical FPS with bomb defusal maps
- Fast, mechanical, aim-heavy gameplay
Why it’s popular:
- India has decades of CS fan culture
- Esports tournaments are huge globally
- Easy to follow even for non-gamers
- Round-by-round format fits Esports betting perfectly
3. Dota 2
What it is:
A deep 5v5 MOBA where teams destroy the enemy’s Ancient.
Playstyle:
- Highly strategic
- Role-based heroes (carry, mid, support, offlane)
- Complex team fights, big objectives, insane combos
Why it’s popular:
- India has loyal long-term Dota fans
- Massive international tournaments (TI)
- High-skill, high-strategy gameplay attracts serious players
- Objective-focused markets are favorites for bettors
4. League of Legends
What it is:
Riot Games’ iconic MOBA with a more polished, faster-paced feel than Dota 2.
Playstyle:
- Fast, clean movement
- Champion abilities + lane phases + team fights
- Emphasis on rotations and macro play
Why it’s popular:
- Easy to understand for beginners
- Massive global esports ecosystem
- Indian players love Worlds & regional leagues
- Consistent match patterns → perfect for predictions
5. Mobile Legend: Bang Bang (MLBB)
What it is:
A 5v5 mobile MOBA designed for quick, exciting matches.
Playstyle:
- Fast-paced team fights
- Short match duration (10–15 min)
- Straightforward items + abilities
Why it’s popular:
- Mobile-first India = huge MLBB audience
- Runs smoothly on budget phones
- Huge Southeast Asian esports influence
- Quick games → quick betting outcomes
6. PUBG (PC)
What it is:
A tactical battle royale with realistic shooting and strategic positioning.
Playstyle:
- Loot → rotate → survive
- Long-range gunfights
- High reliance on teamwork and map knowledge
Why it’s popular:
- Realistic gun mechanics loved by PC players
- High-skill ceiling
- Iconic Indian streamers built its fanbase
- Predictable tournament formats
7. PUBG Mobile
What it is:
Mobile battle royale where 100 players fight to be the last squad standing.
Playstyle:
- Fast-paced survival
- Close-range battles
- Quick decision-making and team synergy
Why it’s popular:
- India’s biggest mobile Esports title
- Runs on almost every phone
- Massive influencer/YouTuber community
- LAN tournaments draw huge crowds
8. Call of Duty: Mobile
What it is:
COD’s mobile version with both battle royale and traditional 5v5 modes.
Playstyle:
- Smooth gunplay
- Quick TDM matches
- Competitive ranked mode
Why it’s popular:
- Best gunplay on mobile
- Regular esports tournaments
- Low entry barrier and high replay value
9. FREE FIRE
What is it:
A free-to-play mobile battle royale by Garena, famous for being one of the most downloaded games worldwide.
Playstyle:
Fast 10-15 min matches with 52 players, simple controls, Gloo Wall defense, and modes like Battle Royale, Clash Squad (4v4), Lone Wolf (1v1), and Craftland (custom maps).
Why It’s Popular
- Free Fire MAX offers upgraded graphics for players who want a premium feel.
- Low device requirements – runs smoothly on almost all smartphones.
- Short, fast rounds ideal for casual and competitive players.Huge esports scene with massive audiences.
- Frequent events, characters, skins, and collaborations keep players engaged.
10. Apex Legends
What it is:
A hero-based battle royale known for fast movement and aggressive gunfights.
Playstyle:
- Sliding, jumping, fast mobility
- Team-based abilities
- Intense mid-range and close-range combat
Why it’s popular:
- Very active PC player base
- High-skill ceiling appeals to competitive gamers
- Exciting tournaments + streamer popularity
- Unique hero abilities make the game unpredictable
Easy Esports Betting Rules You Should Know Before Predicting Matches
5 Platforms for Online Game Esports Betting in India
| Rank | Platform | Key Bonus Offer | Max Bonus | Rollover / Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | Vegas11 |
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| 🥈 2 | Betvibe | 250% welcome bonus on first five deposits (code CA250) | Up to ₹100,000 | Standard wagering rules, valid until 30.01.2026 |
| 🥉 3 | Rivalry | 100% welcome bonus on first deposit | Up to $500 | 15x rollover; 15 days to clear |
| 4 | Thunderpick | 100% first deposit for betting or gaming | Up to €600 / €2,000 | x10 betting / x40 casino, crypto only |
| 5 | 1xBet | x2 Wednesday promotion after Lucky Friday | Up to ₹27,000 | Strict date window, 3x wagering/24h |
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