The global digital gaming phenomenon is known under the name Counter-Strike 2 (CS2). The virtual competitions on battlefields go far beyond lively computer graphics. CS2 hosts major esports tournaments in different cities across the globe. The game attracts a growing number of fans, viewers, and competitors.
In this article by Volodymyr Huda, we will talk about which countries host major tournaments and how to keep track of this information. For true fans, check out the Steam hex lookup tool on the Profiler website to find a unique identifier for your Steam account so you can access multiple services and games.
France
Let’s start with Europe. France is one of the countries that consistently hosts major CS2 tournaments. The city of light – Paris – has become the premier destination for this esport. In the past year, France has hosted one CS2 major tournament, the BLAST Paris Major 2023 at the Accor Arena in Paris.
The winner: Team Vitality, led by Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, succeeded in the battle with GamerLegion, going home with a $2,000,000 prize.
Denmark
After the game’s release, Denmark was the first country to host a CS2 major tournament. This year, the competition took place from March 17 to 31 at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen. The world’s top 24 CS2 teams competed for a massive $1,250,000 prize. This event marked the beginning of CS2’s competitive scene for the upcoming year.
Denmark has been home to other significant CS2 tournaments. It’s worth mentioning the BLAST Premier: Spring Groups 2024. This event landed the following dates on the calendars: January 22-28. Such an active presence of digital gamers proves that Denmark is becoming a hotspot for CS2 tournaments.
Poland
Another European country that has hosted numerous high-profile CS2 tournaments is Poland, particularly the city of Katowice. Poland has a long history of hosting high-profile Counter-Strike tournaments, which has continued with the release of CS2.
For instance, IEM, Intel Extreme Masters, is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the CS: GO calendar. Dating back to 2014, this event attracts the best teams around the globe. 2024 was no exception. From January 23 to February 4, the competition was another success.
The anticipated event is The BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2024, which will take place from April 23 to May 12. Interestingly, the next big CS2 tournament was announced to be in Shanghai, China. This shows that the tournaments are becoming more global, not just focused on Europe.
Brazil
While Europe has traditionally been the go-to destination for Counter-Strike esports, other parts of the world are stepping into the spotlight. South America, particularly Brazil, is making a presence with major events.
The upcoming tournament is the IEM Rio 2024. Fans are expected to be a part of it from August 23 to September 3 in a sunny Rio de Janeiro. As usual, this tournament is believed to attract the best CS2 global teams.
Notable Locations
CS2 tournaments are a usual thing for France, Denmark, and Poland. Let’s discover more new locations for the esports competitions.
Cologne, Germany
Cologne, Germany, is not the most popular destination but very dear to CS2. In 2024, from late August, the IEM Cologne tournament is set to take place.
IEM is a prestigious event that has been a staple of the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive circuit for many years. Cologne isn’t just known for hosting IEM Cologne. It has a deep connection to Counter-Strike esports. The ESL One Cologne event has been held there since 2014.
Because of this long history and the great facilities in Cologne, it’s become a top choice for tournament organizers, especially as CS2 becomes more popular.
Shanghai, China
As mentioned earlier, the second big CS2 tournament, the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, is scheduled to happen in Shanghai, China, from December 1 to 15, 2024. A massive pool of international teams is expected to participate.
Hosting a major tournament in China is a huge deal for CS2 esports. It shows how the game is getting more popular all over the world, especially in Asia. The Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 is going to be a key event for teams wanting to prove they’re the best out there.
Other Locations
In addition to the countries and cities mentioned above, other locations have also hosted notable CS2 tournaments. These include:
Chengdu, China
This city is becoming a new hotspot for big CS2 tournaments. In 2024, the city held the BLAST Premier: Spring Final from April 8 to 14. Notably, this was one of the first major CS2 tournaments in China, showing how much the Asian market is growing in the world of esports.
Through the years, Chengdu has hosted Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO) tournaments. The success of events like the IEM Chengdu 2021 and IEM Chengdu 2022 put Chengdu on the map as a premier destination for CS esports. Now, with the introduction of CS2, Chengdu is considered a major player in the competitive gaming scene.
Malta
Even the small island nation of Malta has stepped up to host significant CS2 tournaments. In 2024, they are to host the ESL Pro League Season 20 Finals from April 23 to May 12. The winner takes home a $750,000 prize.
While Malta might not be as famous for hosting Counter-Strike esports as other places, its modern facilities and increasing interest in hosting big gaming events have made it a desirable spot for tournament organizers.
Conclusion
As the CS2 esports scene continues to grow and evolve, it’s likely that we’ll see more countries (the USA, Canada, and many more) and cities around the world hosting major tournaments.
The game’s global appeal and the increasing investment from tournament organizers and sponsors suggest that the CS2 tournaments will only become more diverse and competitive in the years to come.
