Throughout 2025, the Counter-Strike 2 esports scene continued to cement its place as one of the world’s most popular first-person shooter titles.
The year saw several tournament organisers host high-profile events attracting some of the biggest esports organisations across the globe. Across the Tier 1 circuit alone, more than $32m (~£23.7m) in prize money was on offer.
Alongside massive prize pools, Valve continued to implement a variety of updates aiming to preserve Counter-Strike 2’s open ecosystem, while also injecting fresh life into the game through map pool adjustments.
From one team’s domination to the rise of unproven rookies, Esports Insider reflects on an action-packed year of Counter-Strike 2 action in 2025.