The Longest CS2 Pro Matches Ever Played

CS2 is still very much a baby compared to the legendary CS:GO, which dominated the competitive scene for over a decade and set countless records along the way. One of those milestones was the longest CS match ever played, and for a long time, many wondered whether CS2 could ever come close to matching it.

Fun fact: the all-time CS:GO record stands at 173 rounds played in a single best-of-five series, an absolutely insane 7.5-hour Polish league final.

Today, however, we will focus specifically on single-map marathons. Otherwise, comparing BO3, BO5, and other formats would become unnecessarily complicated. We will look only at S-tier competitive matches, examine the longest games recorded so far, compare them with historical CS:GO marathons, and explain why some of these games stretched to truly unthinkable lengths.

Let’s dive right in!

Longest CS2 Pro Matches in History

Despite the shorter MR12 format, several professional matches have already pushed the limits of endurance. Below are some of the longest CS2 and equivalent CS:GO pro matches ever played, measured by total rounds.

Fnatic vs. M80 — 34:37 (71 rounds)

Although there are technically two contestants for the longest match in Counter-Strike history, we place Fnatic vs. M80 at the top because reaching such a high round count in MR12 is significantly harder than in MR15. This match took place during ESL Pro League Season 20, in the Group C upper-bracket semifinal, where two international lineups were fighting for an early playoff spot.

Early signs that this would become the longest CS2 pro match appeared quickly. Both halves ended 6:6, perfectly illustrating how evenly matched the teams were. The series kicked off on Anubis, which was the first map in the best-of-three series, and neither team anticipated such a dramatic battle. Yet that is exactly what unfolded. The American-German mix of M80 managed to secure victory despite posting a negative 26–45 first-kill differential, an almost unheard-of statistic in matches of this level, clinching the victory in eight extra rounds.

After all, the teams decided to dive into another portion of extras on Inferno, with M80 securing another victory (16–13). Despite Fnatic’s efforts, they were ultimately unable to reach the final stages of the Pro League playoffs.

The First Really Long Map in CS2: FaZe Clan vs. Ninjas in Pyjamas — 28:25 (53 rounds)

The release of CS2 caused a massive stir, with the shift from MR15 to MR12 dramatically shortening match durations. This adjustment made long matches far rarer, which is why this clash stands out. It happened just one month after the transition. FaZe Clan arrived at the CS Asia Championships 2023 in top form, holding the #1 global ranking and remaining unbeaten in CS2 at the time. This was hardly surprising, as the FaZe CS2 roster at the time was arguably the strongest in the organization’s history. As a result, their Group B opening matchup against a struggling Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) squad was expected to be a straightforward path toward the playoffs, especially given NiP’s inconsistent results throughout 2023.

However, their best-of-one match on Ancient on November 9th became legendary, as it turned into the longest CS2 match played on the LAN since the game’s release. FaZe secured five rounds on the T side, which should have been enough to close the game comfortably on a heavilyCT-dominated map like Ancient. But NiP staged a remarkable comeback, pushing the match into overtime.

What initially appeared to be a straightforward win for FaZe morphed into an intense grind. The Group B upper bracket semifinal went through five overtimes before FaZe finally sealed the victory at 28-25. The tension during the final rounds was so high that even karrigan’s PC could not handle it, crashing mid-game and causing an 18-minute technical pause. Fans who have not yet watched the match but plan to check out the demo should brace themselves for an epic 164-minute spectacle, which earned the match the title of the longest CS2 pro game at the time.

Despite this grueling battle, it ultimately proved to be the toughest match for FaZe Clan during the tournament. They bounced back and went on to win the trophy with relative ease, cementing their dominance in the new era of Counter-Strike.

Longest Pro Matches in CS:GO History

Before CS2, CS:GO matches could stretch even further thanks to the MR15 format and unlimited overtimes. Some of the longest CS games ever played occurred during the CS:GO era, with round counts that now seem almost impossible under CS2 regulations (MR12 vs MR15).

XENEX vs. exceL eSports — 46:42 (88 rounds)

The absolute longest CS game ever recorded was an unbelievable 88-round marathon between two UK teams: XENEX and exceL eSports. This legendary showdown took place on Inferno during the ESL UK Premiership Spring 2015 group stage on April 20th, 2015. XENEX entered the match as favorites and started dominantly on the CT side, but exceL refused to give in. After XENEX’s strong first half, they struggled on the T side and allowed exceL to fight back at 15-15 stalemate. What followed was an incredible sequence of six overtimes, adding a staggering 58 rounds beyond regulation.

Eventually, XENEX emerged victorious with a 46-42 win, prevailing in the sixth overtime after approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes of continuous play. The map lasted nearly an entire evening, and by the end of it, every single player on the server had surpassed 75 kills. Even XENEX’s captain later admitted they were shocked by how tenacious exceL had been. The underdogs simply refused to break.

This insane, longest CS pro match was unprecedented at the time and even earned an official place in the Guinness World Records. Under modern CS2 rules, a single map reaching 88 rounds is almost unimaginable, which is why this CS:GO marathon will likely remain unbroken. Even after more than two years of CS2 competition, no game has come close. This legendary 2015 Inferno showdown stands as a reminder of what endurance sometimes means in Counter-Strike.

Natus Vincere vs. AGO — 37:34 (71 rounds)

This Group D match at the ESL Pro League Season15 between NAVI and AGO became one of the longest matches in CS:GO history and still stands as a shared Counter-Strike record. It was one of the opening games in the group stage, with both teams eager to make a statement at one of the most prestigious tournaments in the calendar. The series began on Dust 2, AGO’s map pick. However, Natus Vincere wasted no time asserting dominance, completely overwhelming the Polish side with a crushing 14–1 first half, before closing the map 16–1. At that point, it looked like the series would end quickly.

Mirage, NAVI’s pick, told a completely different story. AGO stepped up massively, delivering a determined and disciplined performance. Both teams traded rounds throughout the map, finishing their halves at 8–7. This set the stage for a grueling battle through seven overtimes. In those extra rounds, “s1mple” rose to the occasion, delivering a jaw-dropping 65 kills, leading NAVI to victory after a hard-fought battle. NAVI ultimately clinched the series after 7 overtimes, winning 37–34.

Despite the victory, NAVI went on to dominate Group D by winning all five of their matches. AGO, meanwhile, fell just one win short of qualification and narrowly missed out on a playoff spot.

Envy vs. Ninjas in Pyjamas — 33:36 (69 rounds)

In late April 2015, Bucharest hosted a tournament that many newer Counter-Strike fans may not recognize: the CCS Kick-Off Season Finals. At the time, CS Majors offered prize pools of $250,000, making the $75,000 prize pool for this four-team event a serious battleground, and both NiP and Envy treated it as such.

The opening map between the two started in favor of Envy, who secured Cache with a confident 16–10 win. However, this was just the beginning of what would turn into one of the longest CSGO matches ever played.

With a chance to close out the series in two maps, Envy faced unexpectedly fierce resistance from the experienced Swedish side, and what initially looked like an easy win transformed into an exhausting marathon. In the end, Ninjas in Pyjamas managed to clinch the second map after a staggering 39 overtime rounds, and then sealed the deal on Mirage with an 11–16 victory. Despite this impressive comeback, neither team reached the final, as Fnatic and TSM faced each other in the decisive match.

Valve’s introduction of the MR12 system is arguably one of the most significant changes that happened in Counter-Strike history, aiming to shorten match durations. Despite this, the relentless drive to win—regardless of the stakes, prize pool, and event stage—pushes teams to fight for every round and sometimes leading to incredibly long-lasting maps. This determination has occasionally resulted in epic, long-lasting maps, defying the intent behind MR12. One of the most notable examples is the 71-round marathon between Fnatic and M80, which now holds the record for the longest match in CS2 history. This incredible feat is matched only by the NaVi vs. AGO clash in CS:GO, proving that competitive Counter-Strike can still deliver nail-biting endurance battles. To ensure you don’t miss moments like these or your favorite team’s clashes, you can always check the CS2 match schedule, which offers detailed information about upcoming tournaments and global competitions.

Why These Matches Lasted So Long

Each of these record-setting games had unique circumstances, but several common factors explain why they stretched on for so many rounds.

When two teams are perfectly matched, regulation time becomes little more than formality. Matches like Fnatic vs M80, where both halves ended 6-6, or Envy vs NiP battling through seven overtimes, demonstrate what happens when neither side can secure a decisive advantage. The teams are simply too evenly matched, nothing you can do about it. And let’s not forget about the possible clutch plays and (sometimes) comebacks. These are the most legendary rounds, where a losing team, through sheer willpower, outperforms the opponent.

Map dynamics also play a massive role. Whether it is a notoriously CT-sided map like Ancient, allowing NiP to mount a massive 5-11 comeback against FaZe, or a balanced map like Anubis, where both teams are comfortable on either side, the terrain itself can naturally lead to prolonged deadlocks.

And, of course, there is the overtime endurance teams must possess to survive these grueling marathons. We are talking about players pushing through extreme fatigue while maintaining focus for five, six, or even eight overtimes. M80 demonstrated this resilience against Fnatic, and the legendary 88-round battle between XENEX and exceL proves that sometimes victory only comes after both teams absolutely refuse to quit.

In summary, it is the perfect storm of evenly matched skill, dedication, strategy, and mental strength that produces the longest CS2 games or CS:GO matches of truly epic length. These games were not long simply for the sake of it. They were battles of attrition, where every single round had to be earned the hard way.

Final Words

Valve’s introduction of the MR12 system is arguably one of the most significant changes in Counter-Strike history, designed to shorten match durations. Despite this, the relentless drive to win, regardless of the stakes, prize pool, or tournament stage, continues to push teams to fight for every round, sometimes resulting in incredibly long maps. This determination has occasionally produced epic marathons that defy the very intent behind MR12.

One of the most notable examples is the 71-round showdown between Fnatic and M80, which now holds the record for the longest match in CS2 history. This incredible achievement is matched only by the historic NAVI vs. AGO clash in CS:GO and, of course, surpassed by the legendary XENEX vs. exceL eSports marathon. Together, these games prove that competitive Counter-Strike can still deliver nail-biting endurance battles at the highest level.

To ensure you don’t miss moments like these or clashes involving your favorite teams, keeping an eye on CS2 match schedule is always a good idea, as it provides detailed information about upcoming tournaments and global competitions.