Counter-Strike 2 Esports Calendar 2026: Schedule, Dates, Locations, and Prize Pools.
The 2026 Counter-Strike calendar is packed with elite competition. From S-Tier events to two global Majors, the world’s best CS2 teams will compete across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East for record-setting prize pools and international prestige.
This guide outlines every major Counter-Strike tournament scheduled for 2026, including dates, locations, prize pools, qualification formats, and essential context for fans and analysts alike.
January
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
Date: January 22–25
Prize Pool: $452,500
BLAST Premier opens the 2026 season with its Winter Bounty event in Malta. Eight invited teams will compete at BLAST Arena Studios, featuring top-tier contenders such as Team Vitality, Team Falcons, and Team Spirit. The tournament serves as an early benchmark for form heading into the year.
IEM Kraków 2026
Date: January 28 – February 8
Prize Pool: $1,000,000
IEM Kraków marks the first $1 million CS2 event of 2026. Hosted at TAURON Arena Kraków, the tournament will feature 24 teams selected exclusively via the January VRS Global Rankings, ensuring a fully merit-based lineup.
February
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
Date: February 14–22
Prize Pool: $625,000
Sixteen elite teams will compete at BT Arena in Romania. All participants are determined by the January VRS Global Rankings, continuing PGL’s ranking-driven invitation system.
March
ESL Pro League Season 23
Date: March 13–15 (LAN Finals)
Prize Pool: $275,000
The top eight teams from the Online Stage will advance to Stockholm’s Annexet Arena. The Online Stage runs from February 27 to March 9, filtering a large field down to a compact LAN finale.
BLAST Open Spring 2026
Date: March 18–29
Prize Pool: $400,000
Hosted across Rotterdam and Copenhagen, with playoffs at Ahoy Arena, BLAST Open Spring will feature 16 teams. Twelve qualify via VRS Global Rankings, while four emerge from regional BLAST Rising qualifiers.
April
PGL Bucharest 2026
Date: April 3–11
Prize Pool: $625,000
Held at PGL Studio, this event brings together 16 teams: 12 invited via February VRS rankings and four regional qualifier winners from Europe, North America, South America, and Asia.
IEM Rio 2026
Date: April 13–19
Prize Pool: $300,000
Sixteen teams will compete in Rio de Janeiro, with invitations primarily based on January VRS rankings. One remaining slot will be filled via an Americas qualifier, heavily featuring Brazilian and Argentine teams.
FISSURE Playground #3
Date: April 20–26
Prize Pool: $450,000
Shenzhen, China hosts the third FISSURE Playground event. Fifteen teams qualify via March VRS rankings, with one additional team advancing from a closed qualifier.
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
Date: April 29 – May 3
Prize Pool: $350,000
Eight teams will compete at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Invitations are determined by the March VRS Global Rankings.
May
PGL Astana 2026
Date: May 7–17
Prize Pool: $800,000
Sixteen teams will compete in Astana, Kazakhstan. Twelve teams receive direct invites via VRS rankings, while four qualify through regional tournaments. The finals will be held at Barys Arena.
IEM Atlanta 2026
Date: May 11–17
Prize Pool: $300,000
The second and final IEM event in the United States for 2026 takes place at the Georgia World Congress Center. Sixteen teams will compete, including VRS invitees and qualifier winners from global and American circuits.
CS Asia Championships 2026
Date: May 19–24
Prize Pool: $400,000
Hosted in Shanghai with support from Perfect World, this event features 16 teams. Fourteen are selected via February VRS rankings, with two advancing from a closed qualifier.
June
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Date: June 2–22
Prize Pool: $1,250,000
After a decade-long absence, Cologne returns as a Major host. Thirty-two teams, selected via April VRS rankings, will compete, with playoff matches held at the iconic LANXESS Arena.
July
FISSURE Playground #4
Date: July 13–19
Prize Pool: $800,000
Sixteen teams will participate in the fourth Playground event. The venue has not yet been announced.
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
Date: July 30 – August 2
Prize Pool: TBA
Eight teams advancing from a closed qualifier will compete in Malta at BLAST Arena Studios. Despite the prize pool remaining unannounced, the event is confirmed as S-Tier.
August
Esports World Cup 2026
Date: August 12–23
Prize Pool: $2,000,000
The largest CS2 tournament of the year by prize pool will take place in Riyadh. Thirty-two teams will compete, including VRS invitees, the Asian Champions League winner, and four open qualifier teams.
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Date: August 26 – September 6
Prize Pool: $400,000
Held in Copenhagen and an additional European city yet to be announced, the event will feature 16 teams selected via June VRS rankings and BLAST Rising qualifiers.
September
FISSURE Playground #5
Date: September 7–13
Prize Pool: $450,000
Returning to Shenzhen, this event includes 15 VRS-qualified teams and one closed qualifier entrant.
StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026
Date: September 17–20
Prize Pool: $250,000
An eight-team European LAN event, with four teams invited via July VRS rankings and four qualifying through regional tournaments.
October
ESL Pro League Season 24
Date: October 3–11
Prize Pool: $300,000
Hosted in Katowice at Spodek Arena, the tournament will feature 16 teams: 12 VRS invitees and four ESL Challenger League Season 51 representatives.
Forge of Legends 2026
Date: October 13–18
Prize Pool: $500,000
A new tournament organized by H8r.gg. Venue, format, and team selection details have not yet been announced.
Thunderpick World Championship 2026
Date: October 14–18
Prize Pool: $500,000
Eight teams will compete in Malta. Seven are selected via August VRS rankings, with one team advancing from a closed qualifier.
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026
Date: October 24–31
Prize Pool: $625,000
Sixteen teams will compete at PGL Studio, with invitations based on July VRS rankings and regional qualifiers across four continents.
November–December
Intel Extreme Masters China 2026
Date: November 2–8
Prize Pool: $300,000
Sixteen teams will compete in China. The venue remains unannounced, with participants drawn from VRS rankings and regional qualifiers.
BLAST Rivals Fall 2026
Date: November 11–15
Prize Pool: $350,000
Hong Kong will host eight teams selected based on October VRS Global Rankings.
PGL Major Singapore 2026
Date: November 25 – December 13
Prize Pool: $1,250,000
Singapore will host Southeast Asia’s first-ever Counter-Strike Major. Thirty-two teams qualify via VRS rankings, with the finals held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
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