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Skyesports has officially announced the cancellation of its Skyesports Masters 2025 Counter-Strike 2 tournament, as well as all planned Tier-One CS2 events for 2026. The decision marks a major shift in strategy for the Indian esports organiser, which now plans to focus on strengthening the Tier-Two and grassroots ecosystem.

The company’s CEO, Shiva Nandy, echoed the sentiment, saying, “Sometimes stepping back is the key to moving forward stronger. We’ve learned, adapted, and are building the future of Counter-Strike 2 from the ground up. Our full focus is now on the Chennai Esports Global Championship (CS2 and BGMI). One step at a time.”

A Shift Toward Sustainability

This isn’t the first time Skyesports has scaled back its CS2 ambitions. Earlier this year, the organiser reduced its 2025 circuit plans from three Tier-One events down to one, Skyesports Masters, before ultimately cancelling that as well. Previous cancellations include Skyesports Souvenir, which was called off after Valve reportedly failed to respond to rescheduling requests.

Despite a rocky track record with LAN events, Skyesports says the pivot is part of a broader long-term plan to rebuild from the bottom up. The organiser aims to make competitive Counter-Strike more accessible for up-and-coming teams, ensuring a stronger and more stable scene in South Asia.

The Chennai Esports Global Championship

Leading this new direction is the Chennai Esports Global Championship (CEGC), which will serve as the flagship Tier-Two tournament under the new structure. Backed by the Government of Tamil Nadu, CEGC will feature both Counter-Strike 2 and Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), with a total prize pool of $50,000 (~NZD 84,000).

The LAN finals will take place from November 7th to 9th, 2025, with six teams qualifying through regional events in Europe, India, and Southeast Asia. The top two from each region will earn a slot at the finals in Chennai.

Community Reactions

Reactions from the community have been mixed. Some players expressed disappointment and frustration, citing Skyesports’ history of event cancellations. One user wrote, “Skyesports cancelling an event? Just stop announcing events forever, they never happen.” Others, however, saw the move as a necessary reset for India’s struggling Counter-Strike scene.

“Building on with the Tier-Two. Seems like the right path for South Asia to get back into the scene,” one fan commented.

What’s Next for Skyesports?

Skyesports’ journey in Counter-Strike has been turbulent. The Skyesports Championship 2024, featuring teams like The MongolZ and Eternal Fire, was marred by technical issues and fairness concerns, leading BetBoom Team to withdraw mid-event.

Still, with renewed backing from regional partners and a clearer focus on sustainable competition, Skyesports hopes its grassroots push will reignite India’s Counter-Strike scene.

For now, the company’s message is clear, rather than chasing Tier-One glory, it’s taking the long route toward rebuilding competitive Counter-Strike from the ground up.