Professional players and teams go to incredible lengths to earn victory and glory in the highly competitive world of CS:GO. One of the driving forces for these players has always been the financial incentive that tournaments offer. Tournaments with the highest prize money have always left a noticeable mark on the minds of fans and spectators alike. Here are the top 5 most valuable tournaments in CShistory:
5. ELEAGUE Season 2
- Prize Pool: $1,100,000
- Winner: OpTic Gaming
- Winning Prize: $400,000
ELEAGUE Season 2 continued the tradition of high-stakes competition established in Season 1. With 16 invited teams, the tournament saw intense matches and fierce rivalries. OpTic Gaming emerged as the winner, defeating Astralis in the Grand Finals and taking home $400,000.
READ MORE: Financial Impact of Major CS2 Tournaments
4. BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 and IEM Rio Major 2022
These two Majors were notable for their increased prize pools compared to previous events. Each tournament brought substantial rewards to their champions, with both Vitality and Outsiders securing half a million dollars each. Despite the financial incentives, the main motivator for teams was the prestige of becoming Major champions.
3. ELEAGUE Season 1
- Prize Pool: $1,410,000
- Winner: Virtus.pro
- Winning Prize: $400,000
ELEAGUE Season 1, organized by Turner Sports and WME|IMG, aimed to become a major show on American television. With significant investments and a complex system involving 24 teams and two months of competition, the Golden Polish Virtus.pro roster emerged victorious, taking home $400,000.
2. WESG 2016 and WESG 2017
- Prize Pool: $1,500,000 (each)
- Winners: Team EnVyUs (2016) and Fnatic (2017)
- Winning Prize: $800,000 (each)
The Chinese WESG tournament series was ambitious, aiming to revive national team tournaments. To attract the best players, organizers offered the largest prize pool in a CS:GO tournament at that time. Despite the high stakes, WESG struggled to become a Tier-1 event. Nevertheless, Team EnVyUs and Fnatic each secured $800,000 for their victories.
1. PGL Major Stockholm 2021
- Prize Pool: $2,000,000
- Winner: Natus Vincere
- Winning Prize: $1,000,000
PGL Major Stockholm 2021 marked the return of Major CS:GO tournaments post-COVID and set a record with its doubled prize pool. Natus Vincere dominated the tournament, winning without losing a single map and securing a $1,000,000 prize.
READ MORE: The Influence of Majors on CS2's Popularity
Conclusion
These tournaments not only bring money to teams and players but also increase competition and inspire players to achieve high-level success. The financial rewards have always been a significant driving force, but the prestige of winning these major tournaments and the legacy left behind are equally important. As CS:GO transitions to CS2, we can expect even more exciting tournaments and possibly even larger prize pools, continuing to push the boundaries of competitive esports.
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