If you're looking for a comprehensive catalog of Counter-Strike 2 events and their details, you've come to the right place.
We provide links to CS2 tournaments for experienced viewers and offer insights for newcomers, including the differences between C-tier and S-tier events. Additionally, we explore the game's history to give a deeper understanding of its competitive scene.
The Evolution of Counter-Strike
Counter-Strike began as a Half-Life mod in 1999, created by Gooseman and Cliffe. Its rapid success led Valve to acquire it in 2000. By 2001, HLTV technology allowed spectators to watch matches, helping early counter-strike 2 tournaments gain popularity. Counter-Strike: Source (2004) introduced new graphics but failed to win over the competitive scene, keeping CS 1.6 at the center of s-tier events.
By 2010, teams like Fnatic, NaVi, SK Gaming, and Virtus.pro were dominating. HLTV’s Rating 1.0 ranked players based on in-game performance, fueling competition through the leaderboard positions.
The CS:GO Era (2012–2023)
CS:GO launched in 2012, reshaping the esports scene. Valve’s first official Major (DreamHack 2013) introduced a $250,000 prize pool, growing to $1.25 million by the final CS:GO Major (BLAST Paris 2023). Streaming also surged, with Twitch becoming the #1 esports platform.
CS:GO became free-to-play in 2018, fueling global growth. From Luminosity’s 2016 victory to Astralis’ three-peat (2018–2019), CS:GO was the centerpiece of s-tier events and a-tier events worldwide.
CS2 and the Future
CS2 replaced CS:GO in September 2023, ushering in a new era. The first CS2 Major (Copenhagen 2024) set the stage for the future, with more upcoming CS2 tournaments on the way. Fans can stay updated on all major CS2 events through official tournament organizers and esports platforms.
With cs2 tournaments today happening across the globe, the competition is fiercer than ever. Fans eagerly await the next CS2 tournament, as Counter-Strike 2 tournaments continue to grow. Whether it's an S-tier event or an A-tier event, the scene is thriving, with CS2 live stats tracking every moment.
Counter-Strike in Esports
CS2 live events refer to Counter-Strike 2 esport tournaments or competitions that are held in physical venues where players compete in front of a live audience.
Counter-Strike events attract top teams from around the world, offering intense competition and thrilling matches. Counter-Strike’s esports journey began with CS 1.6 when the 2001 CPL Winter Championship became the first major international event. Early tournaments like CPL, World Cyber Games (WCG), and Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) were considered Majors by the community before Valve’s official involvement.
With CS:GO’s launch in 2012, all Majors became the CSGO upcoming events. The first Valve-backed Major, DreamHack 2013, introduced a $250,000 prize pool. Swedish teams like Fnatic and NiP dominated early on. Historic moments followed, from Luminosity Gaming’s 2016 victory to Astralis’ three-peat (2018–2019). The 2021 PGL Major saw NAVI win without dropping a map, while FaZe Clan (2022) and Team Vitality (2023) claimed the final CS:GO titles.
With Counter-Strike 2, the competitive scene entered a new era. The first CS2 Major in Copenhagen (2024) marked the transition, and CS2 tournaments in 2025 are set to redefine the game. The scene is thriving, with CS2 live stats showing ongoing matches as you read this. So, CS2 Tournaments 2025 promises an exciting year of competition, featuring top-tier teams battling in S-Tier and A-Tier events for massive prize pools.
LAN vs Online Tournaments: What's the Difference?
CS2 game events feature a mix of online and LAN tournaments, showcasing the highest level of competitive play. Online tournaments offer the comfort of competing from home or a gaming facility, letting players focus on the game while dealing with potential internet issues or distractions. Despite the laid-back setting, the competition remains intense.
LAN tournaments, however, bring players to a live venue, amplifying the pressure and excitement. Whether it's a LAN or an online tournament, viewers can watch teams play through CS2 streams, but during online events, it's not always possible to see players' reactions and their interactions with each other. Competing face-to-face with opponents, feeling the crowd's energy, and traveling to the event creates a more intense and immersive experience, making LANs the pinnacle of competitive gaming.
Tier System: Understanding S-Tier, A-Tier, B-Tier, and C-Tier Tournaments
Way to the tournament begins with regional and open qualifiers, which are crucial for teams looking to secure a spot in the main event. These qualifiers are held across different regions, ensuring that teams from all over the world have a chance to compete, CS2 tournament rules ensure fair play and a competitive environment by setting guidelines for team rosters, match formats, and conduct during events.
Qualification usually starts with open registration, where teams from various tiers can sign up to compete. Depending on the event, the number of qualifying slots may vary, and each qualifier may feature a single-elimination or round-robin format. For example, there might be five qualifiers for the BLAST Premier Spring 2024, with the top two teams from each qualifier advancing to the main event. Winners of these qualifiers may move to a secondary qualification stage, which could either be a regional playoff or directly feed into the main event, where the top teams compete for the final prize pool.
Teams with high rankings in the CS2 competitive scene may receive automatic invitations to the main event, bypassing the qualifier stages. This helps ensure that the top teams are always present at the highest level of competition.
Every CS tournament brings intense competition, with teams striving to prove their skills and secure a spot in the next major event. The tier system is how the esports community categorizes tournaments based on their importance, prize pool, and the caliber of teams involved. From prestigious S-Tier events to the more regional C-Tier events, each tier offers different opportunities for teams to showcase their skills.
Tier | Organisations Examples | Prize Pools | Middle Tier Team Participants |
S-Tier | ESL, BLAST Premier, IEM | $1,000,000+ | Spirit, NaVi, G2, Vitality, MOUZ, MongolZ, Eternal Fire, Liquid, Virtus.pro, fnatic, Cloud9, FaZe |
A-Tier | DreamHack Masters, Flashpoint | $200,000 - $500,000 | MongolZ, Liquid, Astralis, MOUZ, MIBR, SAW, paiN, Falcons, Eternal Fire, BIG, HEROIC, FURIA, FlyQuest, Fnatic, Cloud9, FaZe |
B-Tier | CS Summit, ECS | $50,000 - $200,000 | BIG, OG, Passion UA, Wildcard, TYLOO, HEROIC, FUFIA, M80, Nemiga, 500, Monte, Team NextLevel, compLexity, SK Gaming, ENCE |
C-Tier | Local or regional events | < $50,000 | Up-and-coming teams, lower-ranked teams |
CS2 live events bring together top-tier teams and passionate fans for an unforgettable experience, with matches streamed globally. A CS2 tournament prize pool refers to the total amount of money that is awarded to the top-performing teams in Counter-Strike 2 events.
Teams of different ranks can participate in A-tier events, while CS2 Tier 1 events are usually attended by the strongest teams or rising stars of the season – typically no more than two breakout teams. All CS2 teams, even lesser-known ones, can be viewed along with their stats in their profiles on the website. Teams often make roster changes, so even if you saw a specific lineup at one tournament, there's no guarantee that a new talent won't appear in the next one.
Recurring tournaments like ESL, BLAST, and IEM are essential for building long-term rivalries, defining the esports culture, and offering fans a yearly highlight. These events help teams track progress and maintain consistency in competitive play, while sponsors use them to strengthen relationships and increase brand recognition. For players and fans alike, these tournaments are the backbone of the esports calendar, marking key milestones in the Counter-Strike scene.
CS2 Events Schedule
Qualifier tournaments are preliminary rounds or events in the CS2 competitive scene where teams compete for a spot in the main event or a higher-tier tournament.
Teams that perform well in the regional qualifiers earn spots in the playoffs, and the top-ranked teams make it to the final tournament where they compete for the championship. This ensures that every region has a fair chance of representation, and only the most consistent teams make it to the biggest stage.
Accordingly, at one of the last CS2 IEM Events, closed qualifiers were held over three days on January 29-31, with eight matches played on the first day and six on the next two. Group stages A and B were held on February 1-4, and the final stages with a decisive match were held on February 7-9.
Top CS2 Tournaments and Organizers
BLAST Events is a leading organizer known for its thrilling events and huge prize pools. With multiple tournaments throughout the year, BLAST CS2 events attract top teams globally. Their rigorous qualification process and unique formats ensure high-level competition and excitement.
PGLEvents also play a major role in CS2, hosting well-produced tournaments with a focus on fair competition. PGL events offer large prize pools and attract top teams from around the world. Teams must earn their spot through intense qualification rounds, adding excitement to every event.
IEM Events (Intel Extreme Masters) is a legendary organizer, renowned for its global tournaments. IEM events feature the best teams, massive prize pools, and a strong qualification process, making them cultural landmarks in the CS2 esports world.
DreamHack Events, one of the oldest and most respected organizers, continues to shape the CS2 competitive landscape. Known for high production values, DreamHack tournaments feature fierce competition but not substantial prize pools, with teams battling through qualifiers to reach the main event.
StarLadder Events is another major organizer, recognized for its engaging tournaments and strong team qualification system. Their events feature exciting formats and significant prize pools, making them an essential part of the CS2 calendar.
FISSURE events are rising in prominence, offering innovative tournament formats and substantial rewards. With a focus on rigorous qualifying rounds and competitive integrity, FISSURE events are quickly becoming highly anticipated in the CS2 scene.
YaLLa CS2 Events are set to make waves in 2025 with the return of YaLLa Compass, an S-Tier CS2 tournament in the Middle East. After the success of the 2024 season, YaLLa Compass is back, featuring world-class teams battling for supremacy. With two exciting seasons in store, this elite competition promises intense action and high-stakes gameplay, culminating in the Winter 2025 playoffs. Although the prize for first place is 25k dollars, it doesn't take away from the spectacle due to the involvement of the S-tier teams.
CS2 upcoming events include major competitions that showcase the best teams and players in Counter-Strike 2. CS2 tier 1 events are the highest level of competition, featuring top-ranked teams and large prize pools. CS2 major events, officially backed by Valve, are the most prestigious tournaments, offering huge prize pools and global recognition. CS2 pro events bring together professional players to compete in high-stakes tournaments, often with intense media coverage and global audiences, shaping the future of the CS2 esports scene.
Major CS2 Events (S-Tier)
Major events are top-tier tournaments sponsored by Valve, featuring the best teams in the world. Contenders for the top spot are always among the top 5 ESL World Ranked teams or of the HLTV version. These events have the largest prize pools and are considered the pinnacle of CS2 competition.
- Major Events Must-have qualities.
- Prize Pool $1M and more.
- S-tier Teams.
- LAN.
- Availability of Match Shows or Post-Match Shows.
Organizations that previously offered a $1 million prize pool for CS2 Major events can now host tournaments with smaller prize pools, automatically placing them in A-tier events. Blast CS2 events are known for their ambitious while ESL CS2 Events
are known for their bright show with funny sketches and interesting guests between matches. It’s also important to understand that the Counter-Strike events list is much bigger – there are plenty of less popular B-tier events where players can earn decent money.
CS2 Events & Tournaments Calendar
CS2 Events Calendar follows a structured and predictable schedule, with clear qualification paths based on team rankings and regional qualifiers. Each event has a set format, ensuring fair competition and consistent progression. Our website provides a detailed calendar with exact dates, covering all upcoming CS2 events and tournaments.
Date | Tournament Name | Prize Pool | Organizer | Region/Country |
Mar 19 - 30 | BLAST Open Spring 2025 | $400,000 | BLAST | Portugal/Denmark |
Apr 6 - 13 | PGL Bucharest 2025 | $625,000 | PGL | Bucharest |
May 10 -18 | PGL Astana 2025 | $652,000 | PGL | Kazakhstan |
Jun 3 - 22 | Austin Major 2025 | $1,250,000 | BLAST | USA |
Jul 15 - 20 | FISSURE Playground #1 | $450,000 | FISSURE | Serbia |
Jul 23 - Aug 3 | Intel Extreme Masters Cologne 2025 | $1,000,000 | ESL | Germany |
Aug 20 - 24 | Esports World Cup 2025 | $1,250,000 | EWC Foundation | Saudi Arabia |
Sep 9 - 21 | FISSURE Playground #2 2025 | $500,000 | FISSURE | Serbia |
Nov 19 - 23 | YaLLa Compass Dubai 2025 | $300,000 | YaLLa Esports | Dubai |
Dec 1 - 14 | CS2 Major Championship Winter 2025 | $1,250,000 | Valve | TBD |
The CS2 events list is so packed that some teams may skip CS2 Major tournaments to rest or train for the next S-tier event. The upcoming Counter-Strike tournament is set to feature top teams battling for a championship title and a massive prize pool.
Fresh YaLLa CS2 events are emerging as exciting competitions in the CS2 esports scene, offering thrilling gameplay and not huge prize pools yet.
Current Tournaments & Events Schedule on EGamersWorld
All Next CS2 Events will be better in production than the previous ones because interest and investment in esports are growing.
EGamersWorld offers a complete CS2 tournament schedule with real-time updates on ongoing and upcoming events. The platform provides full details on formats, participating teams, prize pools, and qualification processes, making it easy to track the competitive scene.
СS2 Tournament Today
CS2 tournaments happening today are highly popular, with live streams and broadcasts available in multiple languages. And unlike Dota 2 or any other games, Counter-Strike 2 eSports are perfect for beginners! Fans can follow the action online or watch in person for the full experience. Prediction, analytics, and schedules – welcome! CS2 esports events showcase intense competition, where top teams battle it out for massive prize pools and global recognition.
