The year 2024 was nothing short of extraordinary for Counter-Strike 2, filled with incredible moments, shocking upsets, and historic achievements. From underdog stories to surprising roster moves and unpredictable decisions by Valve, the CS2 landscape proved to be as dynamic as ever. 

Spirit’s Incredible Rise

One of the most shocking stories of 2024 was Spirit’s transformation into one of the best teams on the tier-one scene. With a roster full of young players, including two rookies in their first year on the top stage, Spirit managed to achieve tremendous results. They won IEM Katowice and the Perfect World Shanghai Major, proving that raw talent and teamwork can beat the odds. Rejin, the former MOUZ and TSM coach also thinks that Spirit made the biggest surprise of the year. Especially he praised donk:

We started the year out with Katowice and you see this young guy back then, he's 17. I think he has and he is just destroying records like one of the highest rated players in the big event ever. And then he just kept it going for the whole fucking year. Like that's unheard of at his age. Like it's crazy. And as a rifler, right? Like, who have we been talking about the last five years besides NiKo, right? It's always ZywOo, s1mple, dev1ce. Like there were those three big names, right? Then you had like a NiKo coming in here and there, right. But basically like ropz. Yeah, to some extent.

 

READ MORE: Best CS2 Teams of the 2024

NAVI’s Major Win and Continued Domination

NAVI’s win at the Copenhagen Major was one of the least expected triumphs in CS2 history. The team entered the tournament with little fanfare but turned the tide with exceptional preparation and tactical brilliance. What was even more surprising was how this victory catapulted NAVI into a period of dominance. They consistently reached finals, adding titles like ESL Pro League Season 20 and the Esports World Cup to their resume. This success came from a perfect blend of teamwork and adaptability, making their sudden rise to the top a major highlight of the year.

The MongolZ’s Breakout Year

The MongolZ delivered an unforgettable year for the Asian CS2 scene. After years of struggle for Asian teams to make an impact globally, The MongolZ shattered expectations. They won tier-two tournaments like the Thunderpick World Championship and YaLLa Compass and made waves in the Majors. At the Shanghai Major, they advanced to the playoffs without losing a single game in both the opening and elimination stages. Their success is a historic milestone for Mongolia and Asia, proving that the region is ready to compete at the highest levels.

Passion UA’s Cinderella Run

Few stories captured fans’ hearts like Passion UA’s incredible journey. The all-Ukrainian roster, guided by coach Kane, qualified for the Perfect World Shanghai Major by defeating big names like Astralis, Spirit, and Virtus.pro. They became the first fully Ukrainian team to make it to a Major and even managed to win a few games at the event, showing their grit and determination. Passion UA’s story is a testament to what young, hungry teams can achieve when given a chance to shine, inspiring underdogs everywhere.

Train’s Surprise Return to the Map Pool

Valve shocked the CS2 community by bringing back the iconic map Train. While not yet part of the competitive pool, Train’s complete rework signals a potential addition in the near future. This move was unexpected, as Valve had recently introduced brand-new maps like Anubis and Ancient. Train’s new design focuses on better gameplay flow and visual clarity, making it a strong contender for future competitive play. The CS2 scene eagerly awaits its competitive debut, anticipating how professional teams will adapt their strategies to this classic yet refreshed battlefield.

READ MORE: Best CS2 Transfers 2024

The "br0virus" Controversy

Astralis sparked outrage during the BLAST Premier Fall Final when they used an emergency substitution to bring in cadiaN for br0. The reasoning, described as br0 being "unfit to play," was questioned by other teams, as no clear medical evidence was provided. This led to several in-game leaders, including Twistzz and apEX, protesting the decision, coining the term "br0virus" to mock the situation. The incident raised concerns about BLAST’s rule enforcement and transparency but also highlighted the unity among teams in demanding fairness.

Falcons’ Disappointing Year

Falcons’ high-profile roster acquisition, including the core of ENCE, Magisk, and BOROS, came with great expectations. However, the team fell short on every front, failing to qualify for both Majors and underperforming in key tournaments. Despite their investment, the core roster failed to gel, leaving the team in a state of disarray. Falcons’ struggles were a shocking outcome for an organization that had aimed to become a tier-one powerhouse.

G2’s IEM Dallas Miracle Run with Stewie2K

G2 pulled off one of the year’s biggest surprises by winning IEM Dallas with Stewie2K as a stand-in. The North American legend, who had been inactive on the pro scene, joined the team after HooXi was unavailable. Despite the unexpected lineup change, G2 delivered stellar performances, defeating several stronger opponents and winning the trophy. This improbable victory showcased the team’s adaptability and resilience, with standout performances from m0NESY and NiKo playing a key role in their success.

These surprising moments made 2024 a memorable year for CS2 fans, showcasing the unpredictability and drama that make the game so captivating. Whether it was unexpected victories, dramatic controversies, or the rise of underdog teams, these stories will be remembered as defining moments in the history of Counter-Strike 2.