How Long Were the Longest CS2 (CS:GO) Pro Matches?
Counter-Strike 2 is still a baby compared to the legendary CS:GO, which dominated for over a decade, setting numerous records in the Global Offensive version. One of the most anticipated feats was breaking the CS:GO record for the CS2 longest match, which held strong for years—but eventually, CS2 made history.
The transition to Counter-Strike 2 included the removal of the MR15 system, replacing it with MR12, cutting the average match length by about 15–20%. This change made it even harder to break the record of most rounds played in the CS:GO matchup, which reached 173 rounds during a Bo5 final between two tier-2 Polish teams.
With this in mind, it makes sense to focus on the number of rounds played on a single map rather than an entire series and highlight only elite competitive events. It will also be interesting to compare CS:GO with the younger version of the game, taking a look at the top 5 longest matches in both CS2 and its predecessor, CS:GO.
Fnatic vs. M80—34:37 (71 rounds)
With a combo leadership at the top of the longest CS maps, we put Fnatic against M80 into a higher position because achieving the same numbers in MR12 is harder than in MR15. It took place during the ESL Pro League Season 20, in the Group C upper-bracket semifinal, where two international teams were looking to clinch early playoffs after winning the clash.
The first signs that these could be the longest CS2 maps ever played became clear after the regulation, as both halves ended with a 6:6 score, showing a complete balance. As the series kicked off on Anubis that was the first map in the best-of-three series, neither team expected to see such a close contest thinking that both sides would hang onto the scoreline with as much passion. But they did, especially the American-German mix, which converted a negative 26–45 balance of first kills on the map, clinching the victory in 8 extra rounds. After all, teams decided to dive into another portion of extras on Inferno, with another victory (16–13) for M80. Despite their efforts, Fnatic was unable to make it to the final stages of the Pro League playoffs.
Natus Vincere vs. AGO — 37:34 (71 rounds)
This Group D match at the ESL Pro League S15 between NaVi and AGO not only became one of the longest matches in CS:GO history but also stood as a Counter-Strike co-record. It was one of the opening games in the group stage, with both teams eager to showcase their plans for the prestigious tournament. The match kicked off on Dust 2, AGO’s pick, but Natus Vincere quickly dominated, crashing the Polish side with a 14–1 scoreline in the first half. They wrapped up the map 16–1, looking set to close out the series swiftly.
However, the Mirage, NaVi’s pick, was a different story entirely. AGO switched gears and delivered a performance full of skill and determination. The teams went back and forth, with both sides 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 NaVi's victory, they topped group D by winning all five of their group matches, while AGO fell short by just one victory, missing out on a playoff spot.
Envy vs. Ninjas in Pyjamas — 33:36 (69 rounds)
At the end of April, Bucharest hosted a tournament that may be unfamiliar to many Counter-Strike fans—the CCS Kick-Off Season Finals 2015. Back in those days, CS Majors had a $250,000 prize pool, so a $75,000 purse for the elite four teams was a serious battleground, and both NiP and Envy treated it as such.
The opening game between the two started in favor of the French side, securing 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 seemed like an easy win transformed into an exhausting marathon. All in all, Ninjas in Pyjamas managed to clinch the second map after a staggering 39 extra rounds, and then sealed the deal on Mirage with an 11–16 victory. Despite this impressive comeback, neither of the teams made it to the final, as Fnatic and TSM squared off in the decisive match.
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 rarer, which is why this clash stands out—it happened just a month after the transition. The arrival of FaZe Clan to the CS Asia Championships 2023 was on a high note as the team was holding the #1 the global ranking and remained unbeaten in CS2. This was not surprising, as the FaZe CS2 roaster at the time was arguably the best in their history. Their Group B opening matchup against a Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) squad was expected to be an easy way to the playoffs as the Swedish organization struggled with results in 2023.
However, their best-of-one match on Ancient on November 9th became legendary as it turned into the longest CS2 pro 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 match comfortably on a CT-dominated map like Ancient. But NiP staged a remarkable comeback, pushing the game into overtime.
What initially appeared to be a straightforward win for FaZe morphed into an intense grind. The Group B upper bracket semifinal went into five extra overtimes before FaZe finally sealed the victory at 28:25. The tension during the final rounds was so high that even “karrigan’s” PC couldn’t handle it, crashing mid-game and causing an 18 minutes tech pause. Fans who haven’t watched the match but plan to check out the demo should brace themselves for an epic 164-minute spectacle, which also earned the match the title of the longest CS2 match at the time.
Despite this grueling battle, it turned out to be the toughest match for FaZe Clan in 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.
Final Words
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.
