List of All S-Tier And Majors Events in CS2 in 2026
Let’s take a look at all tournaments in CS2, which will represent the best teams in the world.
PGL Astana 2026
Dates: May 09-17
Prize Pool: $800,000
Location: Astana, Kazakhstan
Teams: 16
As the CS2 circuit moves to Central Asia, the Barys Arena in Astana is set to host one of the most lucrative and competitive S-Tier events of the spring. Running from May 9 to May 17, PGL Astana 2026 features a massive $1.6 million prize pool (including club shares) and a high-stakes format that leaves no room for slow starters.
The tournament utilizes a 16-team Swiss System for the group stage, where every single match is a Best-of-Three. This ensures that only the most resilient rosters reach the playoffs, culminating in a Best-of-Five Grand Final.
IEM Atlanta 2026
Dates: May 11-17
Prize Pool: $300,000
Teams: 16
Location: Atlanta, USA
Just days after the action concludes in Kazakhstan, the spotlight shifts to the United States for IEM Atlanta 2026. Returning to the Georgia World Congress Center from May 11 to May 17, this EPT Masters event serves as a crucial homecoming for North American Counter-Strike, featuring a $300,000 total prize pool.
The tournament follows the classic ESL Pro Tour Masters format: two groups of eight competing in a double-elimination GSL bracket, leading into a high-octane 6-team playoff. With the Grand Final being a Best-of-Five, endurance and depth of map pool will be the deciding factors for the champion.
Currently the world #1, Vitality arrives with the most fearsome "Big Three" in the server: ZywOo, ropz, and apEX. After a dominant start to the season, they are the clear favorites to sweep the opening round and secure a deep playoff run.
CS Asia Championship 2026
Dates: May 19-24
Prize Pool: $400,000
Teams: 16
Location: Shanghai, China
Taking place from May 20 to May 24, this S-Tier event hosted by Perfect World brings a $400,000 prize pool to one of the most passionate fanbases in the world. Coming immediately after the events in Astana and Atlanta, CAC 2026 serves as the final high-stakes battleground before the scene prepares for the summer Major.
The tournament features 16 teams competing in two double-elimination GSL groups. Only the top three from each group will survive to enter the single-elimination playoffs, where a Best-of-Five Grand Final will decide who takes home the $150,000 first-place player share.
IEM Cologne Major 2026 - MAJOR
Dates: June 02-21
Prize pool: $1,250,000
Teams: 16
Location: Cologne, Germany
For the first time in a decade, the "Cathedral of Counter-Strike" regains its status as a Valve-sponsored Major. Taking place from June 2 to June 21, the IEM Cologne Major 2026 is the crown jewel of the season, featuring a expanded 32-team format and a $1,250,000 prize pool. The event culminates in four days of high-octane playoffs at the legendary LANXESS Arena, where the world’s elite will fight for the most prestigious trophy in the game.
The tournament structure is grueling: three consecutive 16-team Swiss stages will filter the massive field down to the final eight. With the Grand Final confirmed as a Best-of-Five, only a team with absolute tactical depth and physical endurance will lift the trophy in Germany.
Vitality, the back-to-back defending Major champions (Austin and Budapest 2025) enter Cologne as the ultimate raid boss. With ZywOo and ropz leading the charge, they are looking to cement a historic era by winning the first Cologne Major in ten years.
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
Dates: July 30 - August 02
Prize pool: Unknown
Teams: 8
Location: Attard, Malta
Following the conclusion of the summer Major in Cologne, the focus shifts to the innovative and high-stakes atmosphere of Malta for BLAST Bounty Summer 2026. Taking place from July 30 to August 2, this event brings 32 of the world’s top organizations to the BLAST Arena Studios in Attard. Unlike traditional formats, the "Bounty" system allows lower-ranked teams to hand-pick their opponents, with prize money literally placed on the "heads" of the elite rosters.
The stakes are personal: as teams win, they accumulate a portion of their opponent's bounty, leading to a massive winner-takes-all showdown in the Best-of-Five Grand Final.
Esports World Cup 2026
Dates: August 12-23
Prize pool: $2,000,000
Teams: 32
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Rounding out the high-octane summer circuit, the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 returns to Riyadh for its third and most ambitious edition. Scheduled for August 12 to August 23, the CS2 tournament has officially expanded to 32 teams, making it one of the largest S-Tier gatherings of the year. With a record-breaking $2,000,000 prize pool (and millions more at stake in the overall Club Championship), the Esports Boulevard will be the site of the final major clash before the fall season begins.
The new format features a high-pressure two-stage system: four groups of eight teams will battle through double-elimination brackets, with the survivors advancing to a massive 16-team single-elimination playoff.
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Dates: August 26 - September 6
Prize pool: $400,000
Teams: 16
Location: Porto, Portugal
To close out the summer season, the circuit heads to the coast of Portugal for BLAST Open Fall 2026 (also known as the Porto Open). Taking place from August 26 to September 6, this S-Tier event features a $1,100,000 total prize pool and serves as the primary qualifying ground for the Fall Finals. The competition begins in the high-pressure environment of the BLAST Copenhagen Studios before the top six teams move to the Super Bock Arena in Porto for a three-day playoff in front of one of Europe’s most vocal crowds.
The tournament features 16 teams split into two double-elimination groups. Only the elite will survive the studio phase to secure their spot on the big stage in Portugal.
StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026
Dates: September 17-20
Prize pool: $300,000
Teams: 8
Location: Europe
As the summer dust settles and the circuit enters the final stretch of the year, the legendary StarLadder brand returns with StarSeries Season 20 (Fall 2026). Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the iconic series, this milestone event reportedly takes place from September 17 to September 20 in Vaasa, Finland. Eight of the world's elite rosters will descend upon the Vaasan Sähkö Areena to compete for a $500,000 prize pool in a high-intensity, double-elimination bracket where every match is a Best-of-Three.
Coming just after the roster-lock period following the summer Major and the Porto Open, StarSeries Season 20 serves as the first major test for teams aiming to secure a high seed for the upcoming Singapore Major.
ESL Pro League Season 24
Dates: October 3-11
Prize pool: $300,000
Teams: 16
Location: Katowice, Poland
As the circuit moves into the autumn, all eyes turn to the spiritual home of Counter-Strike for ESL Pro League (EPL) Season 24. Taking place from October 3 to October 11, this milestone season sees the league return to Katowice, Poland, with a total prize pool of $1,000,000. While the group stages will be held in a high-pressure studio environment, the playoffs will mark a historic occasion as they move to the iconic Spodek Arena for the final three days of competition.
The tournament features 16 world-class teams competing in a refined Swiss System for the group stage. The survivors will advance to a single-elimination playoff bracket, culminating in a Best-of-Five Grand Final that will crown the Season 24 champion in front of the legendary Polish crowd.
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026
Dates: October 24-31
Prize pool: $625,000
Teams: 16
Location: Bucharest, Romania
Just two weeks after the Spodek falls silent, the elite of Counter-Strike return to the birthplace of PGL for PGL Masters Bucharest 2026. Taking place from October 24 to October 31, this S-Tier event features a massive $625,000 prize pool and serves as the final high-stakes rehearsal before the RMRs and the PGL Singapore Major. The tournament will be held at the state-of-the-art PGL Studios, known for its cutting-edge production and intimate, high-pressure environment.
IEM China 2026
Dates: November 02-08
Prize pool: $300,000
Teams: 16
Location: China
As the 2026 season enters its final stretch, the ESL Pro Tour makes a massive return to the Far East for IEM China 2026. Taking place from November 2 to November 8, this EPT Masters event features a total prize purse of $1,000,000 (including club incentives) and offers the penultimate chance for teams to secure a victory before the PGL Singapore Major.
The tournament will feature 16 teams competing in two double-elimination GSL groups. Only the top three from each side will earn a spot in the playoffs, where the pressure of a Best-of-Five Grand Final awaits the last two teams standing.
BLAST Rivals Fall 2026
Dates: November 11-15
Prize pool: $350,000
Teams: 8
Location: Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong
As the 2026 circuit enters its final, most high-stakes month, the focus shifts to the "Pearl of the Orient" for BLAST Rivals Fall 2026 (Season Two). Taking place from November 8 to November 15, this elite 8-team event returns to Hong Kong, with the final three days hosted at the massive AsiaWorld-Expo. With a $1,000,000 prize pool and critical Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points on the line, this is the definitive final battleground before the world heads to Singapore for the year-end Major.
The "Rivals" format is unforgiving: two groups of four competing in a double-elimination bracket. Only the top three from each group survive to the arena stage, where a Best-of-Five Grand Final will decide who walks away with the $150,000 first-place player share.
PGL Major Singapore 2026
Dates: November 25 - December 13
Prize pool: $1,250,000
Teams: 32
Location: Singapore
The 2026 competitive season reaches its ultimate climax in the heart of Southeast Asia with the PGL Singapore Major 2026. Taking place from November 25 to December 13, this historic event marks the first time a Counter-Strike Major has been held in the region. With a $1,250,000 prize pool and the most prestigious trophy in esports on the line, the world’s elite will descend upon the Singapore Indoor Stadium for a three-week marathon of world-class CS2.
This Major features an expanded 32-team format, utilizing three consecutive Swiss stages to filter the world's best down to the final eight. In a first for PGL Majors, the tournament will also feature a third-place decider match, adding even more stakes to the final weekend of play.
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