Counter-Strike
Counter-Strike
CS2 players will decide the next map in FACEIT Season 8
Fariha Bhatti
FACEIT Season 8 is set to expand the competitive map pool across Counter-Strike 2 queues — and this time players will have a direct say in which map gets added. Currently, FACEIT has all seven maps available during the veto session for players to pick from. Each team bans or picks a map, with the last one serving as the battleground for the game. While players have never complained about …
Counter-Strike
CS2 FACEIT players will now need to re-earn their rank
Fariha Bhatti
FACEIT Season 8 will introduce a significant change to player ELO in Counter-Strike 2, aiming to reduce long-term skill inflation at the top. Here’s what the new FACEIT ELO reset means in CS2 and how it works. Skill inflation is a common issue in shooters, and happens in almost every ranked game. Players return at outdated ranks after inactivity, which throws off match quality and makes games frustrating for everyone. …
Counter-Strike
ESL commits $11.5M investment to 2027 CS2 Season
Owen Harsono
ESL has just revealed its roadmap for the 2027 Counter-Strike 2 season. The tournament organizer will be allocating $11,450,000 across seven tournaments throughout the year, and has also made several interesting promises. Here are ESL’s plans for next year. Along with its announcement, ESL has confirmed it will host seven events across the 2027 calendar, with the dates already finalized. Here is the outline of the 2027 roadmap: IEM Krakow: …
Counter-Strike
FaZe at Risk of Missing IEM Cologne Major, Can They Still Qualify?
Owen Harsono
Teams are making one last push to secure their invitations to the upcoming IEM Cologne Major 2026 by collecting VRS points. However, one team that might be getting the shorter end of the stick is the previous Major finalist – FaZe Clan. According to calculations made by community member MischiefCS2 on X, FaZe Clan are currently not predicted to qualify for the next CS2 Major, finding themselves just one slot …
Counter-Strike
Here’s how CS2 Reload works after the new update
Fariha Bhatti
Ammo in Counter-Strike 2 currently feels unlimited, even though it’s not. However, the new Reload update will make the scarcity more noticeable. Valve has rolled out a brand new update to how ammunition acts in CS2, mostly aimed at those that tend to waste bullets. Starting now, players will have limited magazines that would replace a used one instead of simply using bullets from the reserve. The new update penalizes …
Counter-Strike
BC.Game Masters Championship: Format, Teams and Prize Pool Distribution
Owen Harsono
The BC.Game Masters Championship isn’t your typical B-Tier tournament – there’s actually a lot more on the line than you might think. Below, we’ll break down everything you need to know and explain why this tournament truly matters. Though the BC.Game Masters Championship doesn’t have the largest prize pool or too many of the best Counter-Strike teams, there is still a lot on the line at this event. The VRS …
Counter-Strike
BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 Preview: Teams, Format, Schedule
Owen Harsono
Only less than a week after ESL Pro League Season 23, we already have another top-tier Counter-Strike 2 event to look forward to, as BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 kicks off on March 18. Here is everything you need to know about the BLAST Open Rotterdam teams, format, schedule, and prize pool. 16 of the best Counter-Strike teams in the world will compete for the BLAST Open Rotterdam title. See all …
Counter-Strike
Caster Claims s1mple Earns $120K Monthly Salary Under BC.Game
Owen Harsono
Eastern European caster Konstantin “Leniniw” Sivko has claimed that Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev asked for a $120,000 monthly salary while playing under BC.Game. During the same discussion, Leniniw also shared what he described as a rough estimate of salaries across some of the highest-profile Counter-Strike 2 players. According to Leniniw, his sources suggested that s1mple reportedly negotiated one of the largest salaries in competitive Counter-Strike when joining BC.Game’s CS2 roster. “When …
NAVI vs Aurora: ESL Pro League Season 23 Predictions and Odds
Owen Harsono
Esports Betting
NAVI take on Aurora in the grand final of ESL Pro League Season 23. Both teams are looking to bag their first trophy of the 2026 season. Here are our ESL Pro League S23 NAVI vs Aurora predictions. Tournament: ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage: Grand Final Game: Counter-Strike 2 Format: Best of 5 Betting tip: Of the four most recent head-to-head meetings between these two teams, NAVI have won …
Aurora vs Astralis: ESL Pro League Season 23 Predictions
Owen Harsono
Esports Betting
Astralis and Aurora face off in the ESL Pro League Season 23 semi final, with both teams looking for their first grand final appearance in 2026. Here are our ESL Pro League S23 Astralis vs Aurora predictions. Tournament: ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage: Semi Finals Game: Counter-Strike 2 Format: Best of 3 Betting tip: Astralis took down tournament favorites Team Spirit with a dominant 2-0 victory. They should not …
NAVI vs FUT Esports: ESL Pro League Season 23 Predictions
Owen Harsono
Esports Betting
NAVI are set to take on their former academy team, FUT Esports, in ESL Pro League Season 23 for the first spot in the grand final. Both teams are in great shape, and we’re in for a great match. Here are our ESL Pro League S23 NAVI vs FUT Esports predictions. Tournament: ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage: Semi Finals Game: Counter-Strike 2 Format: Best of 3 Betting tip: FUT …
Best CS2 Teams in 2026
Owen Harsono
Counter-Strike
The professional Counter-Strike 2 scene has not been as entertaining as it is now for years. We have a bunch of different teams and personalities all competing to be the best, and the gap between the top dogs and the underdogs has never been thinner. Here are the best CS2 teams in the world right now. It’s hard to leave out the most entertaining team in the world from a …
Best CS2 Players in 2026: Top 10 Pros Ranked
Owen Harsono
Counter-Strike
The professional Counter-Strike 2 scene in 2026 is as exciting as ever. We’re entering an era of firepower, where superstars are consistently delivering star-level performances as mechanical skills are at an all-time high. Here are the top 10 CS2 players in 2026. Below, we’ve ranked the 10 best players in Counter-Strike 2 this year. Our ranking is based on individual skill, firepower, and overall contribution to their teams. Rating 3.0 …
MOUZ vs FUT Esports: ESL Pro League Season 23 Predictions
Owen Harsono
Esports Betting
MOUZ will take on FUT Esports in the first round of the ESL Pro League Season 23 playoffs. There’s a lot on the line, as the loser will immediately exit the tournament. Here are our ESL Pro League S23 MOUZ vs FUT Esports predictions. Tournament: ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage: Playoffs Game: Counter-Strike 2 Format: Best of 3 Betting tip: These two teams have only played against each other …
NAVI vs The MongolZ: ESL Pro League Season 23 Predictions
Owen Harsono
Esports Betting
NAVI and The MongolZ will face off in the opening series of the ESL Pro League Season 23 playoffs. This matchup is shaping up to be one of the closest contests of the first round, so you definitely don’t want to miss it. Here are our predictions for the ESL Pro League S23 NAVI vs The MongolZ match. Tournament: ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage: Playoffs Game: Counter-Strike 2 Format: …
What PGL’s new 2027-2028 CS2 Tier 1 Program means for teams
Fariha Bhatti
Counter-Strike
Esports tournament organizer PGL has pulled the curtain on its two-year roadmap dubbed PGL CS2 tier 1 program. With at least $11 million committed annually, the initiative promises new revenue streams for professional teams and players. PGL has been part of the CS2 esports since 2015, becoming more mainstream with its first major in 2017. The organizer’s latest roadmap establishes itself as a long-term fixture in the CS2 tournament ecosystem. …
CS2 announces X-Ray Scanners for cases, here’s what it means
Fariha Bhatti
Counter-Strike
Valve has come up with a new way to make CS2 cases more palatable in Germany, where loot boxes are under strict scrutiny amid the country’s concerns around gambling. Here’s how CS2 X-Ray Scanners work, and what it means for players. It’s not exactly a secret that CS2 cases rely heavily on chance, making them awfully similar to a scratch ticket or even a loot box. Paying for a red-tier …
New York sues game developer Valve, alleges gambling promotion
Khizar Mundia
News
The US state of New York has filed a lawsuit against Valve Corporation, claiming as it sues the industry giant that an in-game mechanic that the developer uses and promotes in multiple popular titles is too similar to gambling. The lawsuit specifically targets loot boxes, an in-game mechanic that players unlock using real-life money for a chance to win in-game prizes. The rewards are sought after and traded, often using …
PARIVISION vs Vitality at PGL Cluj-Napoca: Final preview, picks
Fariha Bhatti
Esports Betting
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 has its CS2 finalists locked in, and with PARIVISION reaching its second S-tier final of the year, our betting preview considers whether the team can complete its Cinderella run on the big stage versus tournament favorite Vitality. PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 has been full of surprises thus far, but PARIVISION saved the biggest for last. After knocking out MOUZ in the semifinals, the Russian core now faces Vitality, …
The MongolZ vs Vitality at PGL Cluj-Napoca: Semifinal preview
Fariha Bhatti
Esports Betting
By knocking out FURIA, The MongolZ have ensured Vitality avoids one of its most dangerous match-ups at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026, but that result now puts the Mongolian side face-to-face with the tournament’s biggest favorite in the semifinal. Here’s how our preview sees this match shaping up for bettors. The MongolZ is a team not to be taken lightly, but on most days, a Vitality match-up wouldn’t spark much debate given …
Counter-Strike has long been among the biggest titles in esports and competitive gaming, even going back to esports’ deepest roots from decades past. What’s more, the game continues going strong today, with developer and publisher Valve releasing the latest iteration of the franchise in 2023. The newest version, Counter-Strike 2, has not been without its issues. But its popularity continues the enduring prominence of the Counter-Strike series, signaling that the venerated franchise is likely here to stay for many years yet to come.
But how did the franchise come be to so prominent in the esports space, and role does CS2 have to play in the industry moving forward?
Counter-Strike has roots in the beginnings of esports
Counter-Strike was unquestionably one of the biggest drivers of what we would today consider to be early professional esports movement. It was far from alone, and it wasn’t the most advanced. That likely was StarCraft: Brood War, a real-time strategy game from famed developer Blizzard that caught on in South Korea and led to a professional scene in the country well ahead of any examples of esports industry elsewhere in the world.
But outside of Korea, Counter-Strike quickly became the driving force behind competitive gaming and esports. First released in 1999 as a modification for popular first-person shooter Half-Life, the game was easy to pick up and play for many gamers. Half-Life was borderline ubiquitous software for gamers with a PC, and adding a mod to it was as simple as downloading and applying said mod. So it was that Counter-Strike began to catch fire and spread across the world.
As it spread, so too did its competitive play. Early competitions often centered around online play, most prominently including the Cyberathlete Amateur League (CAL) in North America and the Clanbase Eurocup in Europe. But live, in-person tournaments, similar to those enjoyed by StarCraft players and fans in Korea, were also rising in prominence.
Within just a few years, there were a number of major annual tournaments being held for the original version of Counter-Strike. Notable international tournament organizers included the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) in the United States, the Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC) in France, and the World Cyber Games (WCG) in Korea. This was in addition to many other regional tournaments through which teams could test their mettle and battle over smaller prizes.
But even at bigger tournaments, prizes weren’t what they are today, and in general there was far less money available to professional Counter-Strike players than there is in today’s thriving esports industry which sees many players and teams playing at the full-time pro level. That’s a far cry from a time when perhaps a small handful of players were able to make a true living through playing CS alone, and even them, it was often a modest one.
Counter-Strike 2 at the fore of a bigger esports scene than ever before
Counter-Strike 2 was released to a far different esports space than that which the original Counter-Strike occupied. But what exactly is it that has changed the scene so much, besides the accrual of years?
Esports betting is at the top of the list. The sports betting industry is growing and expanding around the world each and every year, and esports has absolutely been a part of that. As esports betting continues to grow and thrive, it brings its benefits to the games that are being bet on. And Counter-Strike 2 is at the top of that list.
These benefits have arrived through a myriad of means. Fan interest in tournaments has gone up and become more consistent with betting markets available for each and every game played, which further incentivizes tournament organizers and their sponsoring partners. But those partners are also now more likely to work with the pro teams and players themselves. Betting operators are among the most common and most generous sponsors in the pro CS2 space, showing how esports betting’s rise has contributed to Counter-Strike’s continued prominence in esports and competitive gaming as a whole.
