Aurora Gaming’s owner, Valery “L3rich” Kharitonov, has placed a daring $700,000 bet on Inter Milan defeating PSG in the UEFA Champions League final on May 31, 2025. With odds of 3.53, a win could net $2,471,000, potentially offsetting the hefty price tag of Aurora’s recently acquired Turkish CS2 roster.
The Bet and Its Stakes
The bet, placed on May 30, 2025, and marked as “Accepted,” has sparked debate in the esports community. Experts estimate Aurora’s acquisition of the Turkish CS2 roster—previously Eternal Fire—cost between $1,800,000 and $2,200,000. L3rich, addressing speculation about the roster’s price, said:
“How much was the Turkish team bought for? I can’t say due to NDA, but maybe this bet will help me break even—or maybe not. One thing’s certain: Hakan Çalhanoğlu will score from a free kick, and Inter will win 1-0.”
A successful bet could significantly ease the financial burden of the roster acquisition, but failure risks a major budget hit.
The Turkish CS2 Roster
Aurora shocked the esports world on April 5, 2025, by signing Eternal Fire’s entire roster, a powerhouse in Turkish CS2. The team includes:
- Ismailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş
- Engin “MAJ3R” Küpelili
- Ali Haydar “Wicadia” Yalçın
- Özgür “woxic” Eker
- Samet “jottAAA” Köklü
- Sezgin “Fabre” Kalaycı
This acquisition marked Aurora’s bold push for international dominance, though it raised questions about the organization’s financial strategy.
Aurora’s Upcoming Challenges
Aurora Gaming is gearing up for the BLAST.tv Austin Major, starting June 3, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Competing in Stage 3, the team aims to secure a playoff spot by June 12, with a $1,250,000 prize pool on the line. This Major will be Aurora’s first major test with the new roster and a critical moment for their global ambitions.
Recent Setback
Aurora’s momentum hit a snag at IEM Dallas 2025, where The MongolZ dominated them in the quarterfinals, highlighting areas for improvement before the Austin Major.
The esports community is watching closely as Aurora balances high-stakes bets, roster investments, and competitive aspirations.
