Counter-Strike 2 is back on the Esports World Cup stage, and it’s not wasting any time turning up the heat. The bracket for the 2025 edition has just been revealed, and right out of the gate we’re getting one of the juiciest matchups imaginable, Team Falcons vs G2 Esports.
It’s not just a big-name clash, it’s personal. This will be the first time NiKo and m0NESY, now repping Falcons, face their former squad on such a massive stage. Both were huge parts of G2’s success in recent years, with NiKo even snagging the MVP award at last year’s EWC despite losing the final. Now, they’re looking to flip the script and send their old teammates home on day one.
Image Credit: Esports World Cup
It’s a spicy start to what’s already shaping up to be one of the most stacked CS2 events of the year.
A Quick Look at the EWC CS2 2025
For those who might’ve missed the announcement, the Esports World Cup is back for its second year, running from 20–24 August in Riyadh. Last year’s debut was won by Natus Vincere, who took home a cool $400,000 and the first EWC trophy.
This year, the stakes are even higher, with $1.25 million in total prize money and no second chances, it’s single-elimination all the way. Sixteen teams from around the globe have qualified, fifteen via Valve’s Regional Standings and one through the Asian Champions League. Here’s the Breakdown
| Rank | Prize Pool | CC Points |
| 1st | $500,000 | 1000 |
| 2nd | $230,000 | 750 |
| 3rd | $130,000 | 500 |
| 4th | $70,000 | 300 |
| 5th-8th | $40,000 | 200 |
| 9th-16th | $20,000 | – |
The bracket is brutal: lose once and you’re out. Every match is a best-of-three, so teams will need to bring their A-game from the first round or risk an early flight home.
Image Credit: Esports World Cup
Falcons vs G2: More Than Just a Match
What makes this clash so exciting isn’t just the calibre of players, it’s the emotional baggage. G2 will be facing two players who helped define their recent era, and you can bet both sides will have something to prove.
Falcons, despite their star power, had a shaky showing at IEM Cologne, bowing out 9th–12th. But tournaments like EWC are the perfect place for a redemption arc. On the other hand, G2 will want to remind everyone that even without NiKo and m0NESY, they’re still a contender.
Image Credit: HLTV.org
And with both teams sitting on the same side of the bracket as heavyweights like Spirit and MOUZ, the winner of this match won’t have much time to celebrate, things only get tougher from here.
If you’re a CS2 fan, circle the date. Falcons vs G2 is more than just a first-round fixture, it’s a grudge match, a reunion, and a statement game all rolled into one. The EWC stage is set, the stakes are sky-high, and the drama is guaranteed.