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Counter-Strike 2 is getting a major upgrade for the Esports World Cup 2026, with the organisers confirming a bigger and more ambitious tournament set for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event will take place from August 12th to 23rd, 2026, featuring 32 teams competing across 11 days of high-stakes LAN action for a $2,000,000 prize pool, a $750,000 increase over last year’s edition.

Bigger Format, Higher Stakes

According to the Esports World Cup Foundation, the 2026 Counter-Strike 2 tournament will expand in nearly every aspect. Players and fans can expect six more days of play, 16 more teams, and an estimated 80 hours of CS2 matches, that’s 42 more hours than in 2025.

The competition begins with a five-day Group Stage, featuring four groups of eight teams in a double-elimination format. The top four from each group will progress to the six-day Playoffs, which will run in best-of-three series until the best-of-five Grand Final.

Qualification and Seeding

Out of the 32 participating teams, 28 will be invited based on the June 2026 VRS rankings, with seeding determined by the July 2026 publication. The remaining four slots will be filled through an Open Qualifier LAN at the Esports Boulevard in Riyadh from August 7th to 9th.

The qualifier will support up to 128 registered teams and features a $100,000 prize pool, with the top four securing spots at the main event. Like the main tournament, the qualifiers will be played entirely on LAN, ensuring a consistent competitive standard across all stages.

Prize Distribution

Here’s how the $2 million will be split:

  • 1st Place: $600,000
  • 2nd Place: $340,000
  • 3rd Place: $190,000
  • 4th Place: $110,000
  • 5th–8th: $60,000
  • 9th–16th: $35,000
  • 17th–23rd: $20,000
  • 24th–32nd: $10,000

Setting a New Benchmark for CS2 Esports

This expansion marks a significant leap for Counter-Strike 2 at the Esports World Cup. The 2025 edition, which saw The MongolZ claim victory over Aurora Gaming, was already one of the year’s most-watched tournaments. The increased prize pool, longer schedule, and broader qualification system show the organisers’ intent to take CS2 competition to the next level in 2026.

A Controversial Spotlight

While the upgrades are widely celebrated, the Esports World Cup continues to face criticism due to its Saudi Arabian government backing. Concerns persist around the nation’s human rights record and its treatment of women and LGBTQ+ communities. Despite this, the event remains a major fixture in the global esports calendar, drawing top organisations and massive international audiences.

The Esports World Cup 2026 will also include 20 returning titles, such as VALORANT, Rainbow Six Siege X, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

With more teams, more money, and more Counter-Strike than ever before, the stage is set for one of the biggest esports tournaments in 2026.