CS2 Major Championships 2026 — Schedule & Results

The next major CS2 event is Stage 1, scheduled for 02 Jun 2026. Check the schedule above for all upcoming S-tier and A-tier events.

CS2 Major qualification operates through a multi-stage Regional Major Ranking (RMR) system. Teams accumulate RMR points by competing in Valve-sanctioned events throughout the competitive season. The qualification pipeline works as follows: open qualifiers feed into closed qualifiers, which determine the teams advancing to regional RMR events held in Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. The top finishers at each RMR event earn direct invitations to the Major. Additionally, teams that achieved Legends status at the previous Major (top 8 finishers) receive automatic invitations, bypassing the RMR stage entirely. Contender teams (9th-16th at the previous Major) enter the Major at the Challenger Stage. This layered system rewards both long-term consistency and peak performance during qualification windows.

Valve-sponsored CS2 Major prize pools typically range from $1,000,000 to $1,250,000 in direct prize money. However, the total financial impact of a Major far exceeds the base prize pool. During each Major, Valve sells in-game team and player sticker capsules, with 50% of sticker revenue distributed directly to participating organizations and players. At peak Majors, sticker sales have generated upwards of $70 million in total revenue, meaning individual organizations can earn more from sticker sales than from the prize pool itself. Some premier A-tier events from organizers like PGL, ESL and BLAST now offer comparable direct prize pools of $500K to $1M+.

S-tier tournaments are exclusively Valve-sponsored Major championships. They carry the highest prestige in Counter-Strike, feature $1M+ prize pools, and represent the only events where in-game sticker capsules are sold. Winning a Major is considered the ultimate achievement in professional CS2. A-tier tournaments are premier circuit events organized by third-party operators including ESL (IEM Katowice, IEM Cologne, IEM Dallas), BLAST (Premier Spring, Premier World Final), PGL and others. A-tier events feature prize pools ranging from $250K to $1M+ and attract all top-10 teams. While A-tier events lack the Valve sponsorship and sticker economy of Majors, they are essential for accumulating RMR points needed for Major qualification and carry substantial prestige within the competitive circuit.

CS2 Majors are broadcast live on multiple platforms. The primary streams run on Twitch and YouTube, operated by the tournament organizer with professional commentary, analysis desks and observer production. Valve also supports in-game GOTV viewing, allowing players to watch matches directly in Counter-Strike 2 with full observer controls, X-ray vision and the ability to watch from any player's point of view. Community co-streams are permitted on Twitch using GOTV footage. For those who cannot watch live, follow real-time scores on our CS2 scoreboard alongside VODs that are typically uploaded within hours of each match concluding.

Valve sponsors one to two Major championships per calendar year. The typical cadence includes a spring Major and a fall Major, though the exact schedule varies. In addition to Valve Majors, there are typically 8-12 A-tier premier events annually from organizers like IEM, BLAST and PGL. The full competitive calendar also includes dozens of B-tier and regional events. Our Majors page tracks all S-tier and A-tier events to provide a comprehensive view of the professional CS2 tournament schedule.

Modern CS2 Majors use a three-stage format. The Opening Stage (formerly Challengers Stage) features 16 teams competing in a Swiss-system bracket where teams play until they accumulate three wins (advancing) or three losses (eliminated). Early rounds are Best-of-1, while elimination and advancement matches are Best-of-3. The Elimination Stage operates identically with another 16 teams. The top 8 teams from each Swiss stage advance to the Champions Stage (Playoffs), a single-elimination Best-of-3 bracket culminating in the Grand Final. Some Majors run the Grand Final as a Best-of-5 for additional drama. The Swiss system ensures teams of similar records face each other, producing competitive matches throughout the tournament rather than early blowouts.

During each Major, Valve releases in-game sticker capsules containing team logos and player autograph stickers. These come in Paper, Glitter, Holo and Gold variants, with increasing rarity and visual flair. Players purchase capsules through the in-game store, and 50% of all revenue is split between participating teams and players. Stickers can be applied to weapon skins, traded on the Steam Community Market, or held as investments. Historically, stickers from certain Majors have appreciated dramatically in value -- Katowice 2014 Holo stickers, for example, are among the most valuable items in CS2. The sticker economy creates a financial incentive for teams to qualify for Majors beyond the prize pool, as popular organizations earn substantial revenue from fan purchases.