No More Best-of-Ones: ESL Shifts to BO3 for IEM Cologne 2024

The esteemed IEM Cologne 2024 tournament for Counter-Strike 2 will not have any best-of-one matches; instead, organizers ESL have unveiled a plan that is more centered around best-of-three.

A lot of professional players and CS:GO fans have never been big fans of best-of-ones (BO1s). Prominent player Adam Friberg expressed his disgust for the format almost ten years ago. BO1s continued despite popular dissatisfaction until the most recent Esports World Cup (EWC) provided a tipping point. A “Resurrection Stage” at the EWC provided teams facing elimination with one last chance to compete in BO1s. Although the concept appeared fresh, it compromised adaptation, which is a key component of CS2.

Teams can gradually adjust and outperform their rivals in series spanning three or even five maps, while BO1s may favor unpredictable, risky tactics. Because of its effectiveness in saving time and money, BO1s are frequently chosen. Even at the expense of lengthier and more costly tournaments, the ESL’s decision to go to BO3 for IEM Cologne 2024 indicates a commitment to deeper, more competitive play.

On social media platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), CS2 supporters swiftly voiced their gratitude for the modification. It is hoped that other tournament organizers would be motivated to take similar action. A number of other organizers have already shifted from BO1s to BO3 and BO5 formats, with BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2024 and ESL Pro League Season 20 both planned for September of this year.

There are more competitive games dealing with a BO1 dilemma than Counter-Strike 2. League of Legends and Dota 2 players have also spoken out about the problem. Even though BO1s have the potential to produce some of the biggest upsets in competitive gaming, they lack the intensity and complexity of a hotly contested series of three or five matches.

The transition away from BO1s is an important step toward assuring more exciting and strong events as the competitive gaming community evolves. The ESL‘s CS2 format experiment at IEM Cologne 2024 is a positive indication that things will become better for both players and spectators.