11 Biggest CS2 Tournaments in 2024

The biggest Counter-Strike 2 tournaments are a true zenith of competitive gaming, embodying the spirit, skill, and strategy that define CS2. This was true in the game’s earliest days, and remains so now, with the biggest CS2 events in 2024 captivating fans worldwide. The tournaments are also crucial for the game’s long-term health, as they incentivize players to, well, play! A pro attending a large-scale event can receive recognition from the community, win substantial monetary prizes, and get a chance to carve out a legacy within the competitive scene.

Attending the biggest CS2 tournaments in 2024, whether online or in person, is a prime opportunity to connect with fellow fans and watch the game’s history unfold before your very eyes. Beyond entertainment, these tournaments play a pivotal role in the evolution of esports, driving innovation and setting new standards for competitive gameplay.

In this article, we explore the 11 biggest CS2 tournaments that will define (or have already impacted) the competitive landscape in 2024, offer some insights into their significance, competition scale, and impact on the global esports ecosystem.

Intel Extreme Masters

Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) is one of the longest-running global pro gaming tours, initiated by ESL all the way back in 2006. This year is going to be no different, featuring some of the largest CS2 competitions of 2024. Known for its prestigious status within the esports community, IEM events are celebrated for bringing together the world's top gamers and offering significant prize pools.

IEM Katowice 2024

Dates: January 31 – February 11

Prize Fund: $1,000,000

Winner: Team Spirit

IEM Katowice 2024, another one of the biggest CS2 championships in 2024, is already behind us!. The event hosted 24 teams competing for a total prize pool of $1,000,000, with the matches taking place in the Spodek Arena, an iconic venue for esports in Poland.

The tournament structure was divided into three main stages: play-in, group stage, and playoffs, each designed to test the teams' skills and strategies. The winners not only took home a significant portion of the prize pool but also earned a place in future major events like IEM Cologne 2024, BLAST Premier World Final, and Esports World Cup 2024, along with valuable BLAST Premier ranking points.

Team Spirit emerged as the champions of IEM Katowice 2024, with their performance throughout the entire tournament second to none. They successfully navigated through the group stages and playoffs, ultimately defeating FaZe Clan with a 3-0 score in the grand final, utterly dominating this prestigious event.

IEM Cologne 2024

Dates: August 7 – 18

Prize Fund: $1,000,000

Winner: To be decided

IEM Cologne 2024 will be held from August 7 to 18, 2024, in Cologne, Germany. With a $1,000,000 prize pool, 24 teams will compete in this ESL-organized S-Tier tournament. The schedule starts with a play-in stage from August 7 to 9 for teams to enter the main event, followed by group stages and playoffs to crown the champion. The part of the prize pool awarded to the victor of the event is quite large, so expect fierce competition between the top teams.

ESL Pro League

The ESL Pro League is a leading global Counter-Strike league. It has now embraced Counter-Strike 2 and offers a three-week battle among 32 top teams for the championship title. The league is integrated into the ESL Pro Tour, an ecosystem linking ESL and DreamHack events, providing players a chance to rise from amateur nobody to global icon over several consecutive events.

ESL Pro League S19

Dates: April 23 – May 12

Prize Fund: $750,000

Winner: To be decided

ESL Pro League Season 19 is an offline Malta tournament organized by ESL and sponsored by Intel. It will take place from April 23 to May 12, 2024, and feature 32 teams competing in a 5v5 format for a prize pool of $750,000. Additionally, a win in such a prominent tournament often increases the team’s visibility, creates new sponsorship opportunities, and improves reputation among peers and fans.

ESL Pro League S20

Dates: September 3 – 22

Prize Fund: $750,000

Winner: To be decided

Set against Malta's picturesque backdrop from September 3 to 22, 2024, the ESL Pro League Season 20 is a premier Counter-Strike 2 event that brings together 32 top teams for not just a share of the $750,000 prize pool but also global prestige. For pros, it's the ultimate arena to showcase their skills, secure their legacies, and unlock new career opportunities. Winning here brings far, far more than just monetary gains, boosting the team’s reputations, expanding its fanbase, and opening doors to lucrative sponsorships. This league is where competitive careers are elevated, making it an important moment in the esports calendar.

BLAST Premier

Want to know what is the biggest CS2 tournament? You’ll need to look no further than BLAST. It is an elite global esports series that features top teams and high-stakes tournaments for major prizes and the world champion title. Known for exceptional production and exciting gameplay, the series includes Spring and Fall Seasons and culminates in a Global Final in December.

BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2024

Dates: June 12 – 16

Prize Fund: $425,000

Winner: To be decided

The BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2024 is going to happen in Britain, from June 12 to 16, and is a key CS2 S-Tier event of the year. 8 professional teams will compete for a $425,000 prize pool and a shot at the title of the world champions. The tournament is vital for players seeking career growth and visibility, offering a chance to enhance personal reputation and gain momentum for future contests. This tournament is a significant milestone in the CS2 esports landscape.

BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2024

Dates: September 25 – 29

Prize Fund: $425,000

Winner: To be decided

The BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2024, which will take place in Copenhagen from September 25 to 29, will pit 8 top CS2 teams against each other over a $425,000 prize, just like its Spring counterpart. This S-Tier event is a key competitive highlight, offering players a chance to boost their rankings, secure global recognition, and attract sponsorships.

BLAST Premier: World Final 2024

Dates: November 13 – 17

Prize Fund: $1,000,000

Winner: To be decided

This is the biggest tournament in CS2 in 2024. The BLAST Premier: World Final 2024 is the ultimate Counter-Strike 2 showdown, drawing top global teams to vie for the championship and significant prizes by year's end. It's an event for the best of the best, offering prestige, sponsorships, and career-defining victories befitting the apex of competitive CS2.

ESL Challenger at DreamHack

ESL Challenger at DreamHack is a competition aimed at Counter-Strike 2 teams rising to prominence and hungry for their first big wins, offering a chance to progress in the ESL Pro Tour. Hosted at DreamHack festivals, it merges competitive play with the event's lively gaming culture, serving as a stepping stone to more significant CS2 tournaments. Despite the smaller prizes and lower level of play, such events are crucial for the game, injecting some new blood into the competitive CS2 scene.

ESL Challenger at DreamHack Summer 2024

Dates: June 14 – 16

Prize Fund: $100,000

Winner: To be decided

The ESL Challenger at DreamHack Summer 2024, running from June 14 to 16 in Jönköping, Sweden, is an exciting CS2 event with 8 teams competing for a relatively modest $100,000 prize pool. This A-Tier tournament offers emerging teams a chance to gain exposure, climb the competitive ladder, and secure first significant winnings. Success here means financial rewards and valuable progress in players' careers, boosting reputation and opportunities in the broader CS2 esports arena.

ESL Challenger at DreamHack Atlanta 2024

Dates: October 4 – 6

Prize Fund: $100,000

Winner: To be decided

One more ESL Challenger will happen at DreamHack Atlanta 2024 from October 4 to 6, providing Counter-Strike 2 teams with a platform at the Georgia World Congress Center, USA. This tournament allows new stars to gain visibility, compete at a high level, and advance in the ESL Pro Tour ecosystem.

PGL Major Copenhagen 2024

Dates: March 17 – 31

Prize Fund: $1,250,000

Winner: Natus Vincere

The PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, which was scheduled from March 17 to March 31 in Denmark, was an event in the Counter-Strike 2 esports calendar that nobody wanted to miss. With a $1.25 million prize pool, it was one of the most important CS2 tournaments in 2024, setting the competitive tone for the season. Winning here granted one of the 24 participating teams financial rewards, enhanced player reputations, and earned them a well-deserved place in esports history. It was a global stage of a kind where every match could define a player's legacy.

Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024

Dates: December 1 – 15

Prize Fund: $1,250,000

Winner: To be decided

Scheduled for December 1 – 15 in Shanghai, China, the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 stands out as the last major event in the 2024 CS2 season, featuring a $1,250,000 prize pool. It's a crucial battleground for the world's elite CS2 teams, offering significant prize money and a chance for players to attract global attention. It will be a thrilling spectacle for fans worldwide, as the most prominent teams of the season will be competing for their attention and praise.