Counter-Strike 2 will once again be part of the Esports World Cup. After the thrilling 2024 tournament, fans eagerly anticipate the return of exciting matchups and incredible gameplay moments next summer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

NAVI's Victory at Esports World Cup 2024

NAVI, who dominated the Esports World Cup 2024, will aim to repeat their success. Their path to victory last year included convincing wins over FURIA, FaZe Clan, MOUZ, and G2 Esports in the finals.

Despite the defeat in the final, NiKo was named the MVP of the tournament due to his excellent play, proving that he is one of the key players in 2025.

New Tournament Format for 2025

Esports World Cup 2025 will gather the top 16 teams in the world, which will be determined through direct invitations based on Valve's Global Regional Ranking. This ensures that only the strongest teams will compete in the tournament. Invitations will be confirmed based on the ranking data from June 2025, following Valve's strict standards.

The prize pool for the tournament will be $1.25 million, with $500,000 going to the winners. Even teams placed from 9th to 16th will receive $20,000 each, making every game worth watching.

Tournaments in 2026

While fans gear up for the 2025 tournament, organizers have also announced that the CS2 World Cup 2026 will take place from August 10 to 23. The prize pool for the tournament is still unknown, but it is expected to be no less than previous ones.