All CS2 Tournaments Scheduled For 2026

The Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) tournament schedule for 2026 is nearly overflowing, boasting over two dozen top-tier events. As the year progresses, hearts will break, underdogs will rise, favorites will dominate, and superstars will stand victorious, lifting the most coveted trophies.

To make sure you don’t miss the biggest CS2 tournaments in 2026, our esports calendar breaks down every major event of the year, with key details all in one place.

Note: This page will be updated throughout the year as new events are announced.

Packed esports arena during a major Counter-Strike 2 tournament, with thousands of fans watching a live CS2 match on a large stage.
Image source: ESL / X

CS2 Esports Calendar 2026

You can mark your calendar with confidence using the information below about all the top-tier CS2 tournaments in 2026. We’ve included exact dates, tournament names, locations, tier (either S or A-tier, both of which are considered “Tier 1” by Valve), and prize pools in USD.

DatesTournamentLocationTierPrize Pool
Jan 12–25BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1Attard, MaltaS-Tier$1,150,000
Jan 28 – Feb 8IEM Kraków 2026Kraków, PolandS-Tier$1,250,000
Feb 14–22PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaS-Tier$1,250,000
Feb 27 – Mar 15ESL Pro League Season 23Stockholm, SwedenS-Tier$1,000,000
Mar 18–29BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026Rotterdam, NetherlandsS-Tier$1,100,000
Apr 3–11PGL Bucharest 2026Bucharest, RomaniaS-Tier$1,250,000
Apr 13–19IEM Rio 2026Rio de Janeiro, BrazilS-Tier$1,000,000
Apr 20–26FISSURE Playground 3Shenzhen, ChinaA-Tier$1,000,000
Apr 27 – May 3BLAST Rivals 2026 Season 1Fort Worth, USAS-Tier$1,000,000
May 7–17PGL Astana 2026Astana, KazakhstanS-Tier$1,600,000
May 11–17IEM Atlanta 2026Atlanta, USAS-Tier$1,000,000
May 19–24CS Asia Championships 2026Shanghai, ChinaS-Tier$1,000,000
Jun 2–21IEM Cologne Major 2026Cologne, GermanyMajor$1,250,000
Jun 29 – Jul 12XSE Pro League 2026China, TBAA-Tier$1,000,000
Jul 13–19FISSURE Playground 4TBAA-Tier$1,000,000
Jul 20 – Aug 2BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2Attard, MaltaS-Tier$1,150,000
Aug 12–23Esports World Cup 2026Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaS-Tier$2,000,000
Aug 24 – Sep 6BLAST Open 2026 Season 2TBAS-Tier$1,100,000
Sep 17–20StarLadder StarSeriesTBAA-Tier$500,000
Oct 3–11ESL Pro League Season 24Katowice, PolandS-Tier$1,000,000
Oct 14–18Thunderpick World Championship 2026MaltaA-Tier$1,000,000
Oct 24–31PGL Masters Bucharest 2026Bucharest, RomaniaS-Tier$1,250,000
Nov 2–8IEM China 2026TBA, ChinaS-Tier$1,000,000
Nov 9–15BLAST Rivals 2026 Season 2Chek Lap Kok, Hong KongS-Tier$1,000,000
Nov 25 – Dec 13PGL Major Singapore 2026Kallang, SingaporeMajor$1,250,000
Professional CS2 players competing on stage at an ESL Intel Extreme Masters event, playing Counter-Strike 2 in front of a sold-out arena.
Image source: ESL / X

CS2 Major Championships In 2026

The ultimate goal of any CS2 pro player is to one day win a Major Championship. Held twice each year, these Valve-sponsored events feature massive $1,250,000 prize pools and serve as the defining moments of the CS2 esports season.

As the world’s best CS2 teams aim to inscribe their names into the Major Championships winners list, fans are treated to weeks of top-tier action played out across four stages of competition.

With that in mind, here’s a closer look at everything you need to know about the CS2 Major Championships in 2026.

IEM Cologne Major 2026 Details

The annual Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne events, part of the ESL Pro Tour (EPT), are already some of the most celebrated in Counter-Strike history.

This year, the iconic event, often referred to as the “Cathedral of Counter-Strike,” is also a Major Championship! Running from June 2 to 21, IEM Cologne Major 2026 features four stages of competition, with 32 teams competing for their share of the $1,250,000 prize pool. 

All stages will take place on LAN in Cologne, Germany, and the Playoffs Stage is held at the magnificent LANXESS Arena.

PGL Major Singapore 2026 Details

Taking place from November 25 to December 13, the PGL Major Singapore 2026 is set to close out the year in style.

With 32 teams fighting for a share of a $1,250,000 prize pool across four stages of competition, no esports fan should dare miss out on the year’s crowning event. The final four days will take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, where eight teams will fight for the trophy.

How Do CS2 Teams Qualify For Major Championships?

To qualify for a Major Championship, teams must have a high enough ranking in the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) for their respective region before a specified cutoff date, roughly six to eight weeks before the tournament is set to begin. 

The VRS features an Elo system, with teams earning (or losing) points based on their match results in Valve-sanctioned tournaments. Teams receive direct invites to specific stages of a Major Championship, and the number of slots varies by region. 

Check out the data below for a quick overview of invites per VRS region to each stage of competition.

RegionStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Europe$6$5$5
Americas$6$2$2
Asia$4$1$1
Totals$16$8$8

What Are The Best CS2 Esports Events To Bet On In 2026?

With over two dozen top-tier events in 2026, it’s clear that CS2 betting fans are spoiled for choice.

All the events we’ve mentioned in this article are worthy of your attention, featuring dozens of betting markets and exciting odds to consider. However, there are three tournaments fans definitely shouldn’t miss out on.

  • IEM Kraków 2026 – Replacing the iconic IEM Katowice, IEM Kraków 2026 runs from January 28 to February 8.
  • IEM Cologne Major 2026 – The first Major Championship of 2026, running from June 2 to 21.
  • PGL Major Singapore 2026 – Finishing off the year in style, it’s the PGL Major Singapore 2026, which runs from November 25 to December 13.

Looking to place wagers on more than just Counter-Strike? Of course, you are! Our esports betting calendar should do the trick, featuring the top esports events to bet on in 2026.

CS2 championship trophy displayed in a dark arena filled with spectators’ lights, symbolizing top-tier Counter-Strike 2 tournaments in 2026.
Image source: ESL / X

How To Track The CS2 Tournament Schedule In 2026?

We endeavor to keep this page updated with the latest information, so simply bookmark it (Ctrl+D) to keep track of the CS2 tournament schedule in 2026 and beyond.

Further, you’ll find heaps of news about events, roster changes, teams/players, and results via the CS2 news section on Esports.net.

You’ll also find more details, such as team invite announcements or any format changes, via the tournament organizers’ official website and social media channels.

FAQs

How Many Top-Tier CS2 Events Are There In 2026?

There are 25 CS2 events scheduled for 2026, including two Major Championships. Valve considers all the S- and A-Tier events we’ve listed Tier 1 for the VRS.

How Many CS2 Esports Seasons Are In 2026?

There are two CS2 seasons in 2026, each ending in a Major Championship. 

What Are The CS2 Season 1 And 2 End Dates?

Season 1 ends on June 21, while Season 2 ends on December 13, 2026.

What Are The 2026 CS2 Major Championships?

Major Championships are Valve-sponsored events that serve as the culmination of a CS2 season. In 2026, these are the IEM Cologne Major and the PGL Major Singapore.

Which CS2 Event In 2026 Has The Biggest Prize Pool?

The Esports World Cup 2026 boasts the biggest prize pool of all CS2 events in the calendar year, at a whopping $2 million. PGL Astana 2026 comes in second, with a prize pool of $1.6 million.