Counter-Strike 2 at EWC 2026

Oct 10, 2025.

After two years of exciting gameplay, Counter-Strike 2 at EWC 2026 will be upping the ante with many exciting changes. The stakes are on, who will be crowned champion? Check out all the information below!

Counter-Strike 2 at 2026 Esports World Cup will feature 32 teams competing for glory and their share of the $2,000,000 prize across 11 days of competition. All of the additional information for the event is as follows:

Tournament Information:
  • Arrival Date: August 10th, 2026
  • Media Day: August 11th, 2026
  • Tournament Dates: August 12th - 23rd, 2026
  • Departure Date: August 23rd-August 24th, 2026
  • Event Location: Esports Boulevard Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Tournament Environment:
  • All Stages of the tournament, including the Open Qualifier in Riyadh, will be played in-person on LAN.
VRS Publication for Invites:
  • Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of June 2026
Tournament Seeding:
  • Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of July 2026
Invite Exceptions:
  • Exceptions to invitations will apply if a player is banned by EWC, ESL, FACEIT, or ESIC.

Group Stage:
  1. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  2. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  3. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  4. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  5. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  6. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  7. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  8. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  9. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  10. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  11. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  12. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  13. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  14. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  15. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  16. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  17. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  18. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  19. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  20. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  21. Global VRS Invite (1st-21st)
  22. North American VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
  23. North American VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
  24. South American VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
  25. South American VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
  26. Asia VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
  27. Asia VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
  28. Asian Champions League 2026 Winner
  29. Open Qualifier in Riyadh - 1st
  30. Open Qualifier in Riyadh - 2nd
  31. Open Qualifier in Riyadh - 3rd
  32. Open Qualifier in Riyadh - 4th

Total Winnings: $2,000,000
  • 1st: $600,000
  • 2nd: $340,000
  • 3rd: $190,000
  • 4th: $110,000
  • 5th-8th: $60,000
  • 9th-16th: $35,000
  • 17th-23th: $20,000
  • 24th-32nd: $10,000

Tournament Format

Stage 1:

  • 4 Groups of 8 teams double elimination
  • Opening round Bo1, following matches Bo3
  • 4 teams per group advance

Stage 2:

  • 16 Teams in playoffs
  • Bo3’s until the Grand Final which is a Bo5

Qualifier Information:

CS2 at EWC 2026 will feature an Open Qualifier in Riyadh that will be played in-person on LAN at the Esports Boulevard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All teams wishing to participate will need to register. This will be a NON-BYOC LAN Qualifier that can support up to 128 teams. More information to come.

Open Qualifier Dates: August 7th-9th

Open Qualifier Format:
  • As many Double Elimination Groups needed based off signups
  • Single Elimination playoffs until the Semi Finals
Open Qualifier Winnings: $100,000 and 4 Slots to the Main Event
  • 1st-4th: Qualifies to the Main Event
  • 5th-8th: $9,500
  • 9th-16th: $7,750