Counter-Strike 2 is set to make a triumphant return to the Esports World Cup, with the 2025 edition scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the summer months. Following the electrifying matches of the 2024 tournament, fans are already looking forward to the intense gameplay and memorable moments that await in the upcoming competition.
NAVI’s Triumph in 2024
NAVI, the champions of the 2024 Esports World Cup, will look to defend their title next year. Their dominance in last year’s tournament was highlighted by decisive victories over teams like FURIA, FaZe Clan, MOUZ, and G2 Esports, culminating in a strong showing in the grand finals.
Although G2’s Nikola “NiKo” Kovač and his team fell short in the final match, NiKo’s standout performances throughout the event earned him the MVP award. He remains a pivotal player to watch as the 2025 season unfolds.
Revamped Format for 2025
The Esports World Cup 2025 will feature a lineup of the top 16 teams globally, selected through direct invitations based on Valve’s Global Regional Ranking system. To ensure the highest level of competition, the rankings as of June 2025 will be used to finalize the invited teams, adhering strictly to Valve’s criteria.
The tournament boasts a total prize pool of $1.25 million, with the winning team taking home $500,000. Even the squads finishing between 9th and 16th place will secure $20,000 each, making every match highly competitive and engaging for viewers.
Looking Ahead to 2026
While anticipation builds for 2025, the event organizers have already confirmed that the CS2 World Cup 2026 will run from August 10 to August 23. Although the prize pool for that tournament has yet to be disclosed, it is expected to match or exceed the impressive figures of previous years.
