Here's how CSGO pros like s1mple get such expensive skins
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive pro players sport incredible skins during big tournaments, but where exactly do they get them from?
Skins and competitive play are two major parts of CSGO culture. Pro players provide figures to look up to in the community and champions like Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev become icons across esports. Skins are a way for players to express themselves, and their complex rarities can draw in heavy investment.
Unsurprisingly, it seems like pro players always have pricy cosmetics during tournaments. Here’s why pro players get access to tons of expensive skins.
First, let’s take a look at what pro player inventories are like. Who better to use as an example than Natus Vincere AWP master s1mple? Just a quick glance through
his public inventory
reveals a laundry list of top-tier cosmetics. From a super clean sapphire Butterfly Knife to multiple best-in-class gloves, s1mple’s inventory easily contains hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of skins.
But even after winning more than $1.6 million in prize money, s1mple almost assuredly doesn’t own these insane skins. Instead, he gets to use them for free. Why? Because when s1mple uses a certain knife, that knife suddenly becomes a lot more valuable.
How pro CSGO players get expensive skins
The majority of luxurious CSGO skins used by pro players do not belong to them. They are often borrowed from traders and only used temporarily.
Instead of personally purchasing perfect blue gems and
full Katowice 2014 crafts, pro players are often approached by big skin collectors and offered skins to use. This is especially common for big events like majors. The pro gets to use an awesome skin in the tournament, then give it back to the trader afterward.
For example, the sapphire knife in the image above belongs to a high-roller named
_Yz_. In fact, the Chinese trader loaned the exact same knife to s1mple’s teammate Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy less than three months ago.
There’s always a chance that a pro player takes the skin and runs, but such an incident would ruin a system where everyone already benefits. The pro players get extravagant skins to use at major events and the actual owners can potentially make money from the visibility. Knives used by pros can spike in price leading to profitable trades.
In another example involving s1mple, he used a pristine StatTrak™ Ursus Knife | Crimson Web at the Antwerp Major. This created a
remarkable price spike
on third-party trading websites. After the major, s1mple returned the skin to the original owner. It’s since been loaned out to Na’Vi standin Viktor “sdy” Orudzhev.
While the price of clean Crimson Web Ursus Knives remains higher than before, the exact knife s1mple personally used now has a unique X-factor raising its value.
Read Also
Esports Betting
NAVI vs Aurora: ESL Pro League Season 23 Predictions and Odds
Owen Harsono
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 ...
Esports Betting
Aurora vs Astralis: ESL Pro League Season 23 Predictions
Owen Harsono
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 ...
Esports Betting
NAVI vs FUT Esports: ESL Pro League Season 23 Predictions
Owen Harsono
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 ...
Counter-Strike
Best CS2 Teams in 2026
Owen Harsono
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 ...
Counter-Strike
Best CS2 Players in 2026
Owen Harsono
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 ...
Esports Betting
MOUZ vs FUT Esports: ESL Pro League Season 23 Predictions
Owen Harsono
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 ...
Esports Betting
NAVI vs The MongolZ: ESL Pro League Season 23 Predictions
Owen Harsono
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: ...