Since its start in 2013 with CS:GO and from 2023 with CS2, there have been a total of 20 Majors. The Counter-Strike Major is widely considered the top tournament within CS, but it doesn’t quite have the same global prestige as the League of Legends World Championship or Dota 2’s The International. This is partly because CS Majors are usually held twice a year and have a smaller prize pool, while both Worlds and The International are annual events with much bigger prize pools and higher viewership. Plus, League of Legends and Dota 2 enjoy a broader regional presence, especially in Asia, an area where Counter-Strike hasn’t had as much influence. Still, while the CS Major may not offer the biggest prize or have the widest reach, its history, consistency, and cultural impact make it one of the most respected tournaments in esports today.
Counter-Strike Majors are a cornerstone of the esports industry, delivering significant economic and cultural impacts. These tournaments draw in major sponsors, providing crucial funding to ensure everything runs seamlessly. This financial support doesn’t just cover event logistics; it also sustains teams, players, coaches, and support staff, keeping the competitive ecosystem thriving.
Tech companies and gaming hardware brands play a significant role through sponsorship deals, which are essential for the success of these events. Additionally, revenue from merchandise sales and live event tickets further bolsters the financial foundation, enabling the esports scene to flourish and grow.
But Majors are more than just competitions—they’re a celebration of the Counter-Strike community. Fans have the chance to connect with their favorite teams and players through meet-and-greets, live streams, and social media. Sharing the excitement of big matches in real time fosters friendship among fans and keeps the community engaged and vibrant.
For professional players, Majors offer a stage to prove their skills. Outstanding performances can lead to greater recognition, lucrative sponsorship deals, and even career-defining opportunities. The high-stakes environment of these tournaments pushes players to refine their techniques, strengthen teamwork, and adapt to dynamic strategies, elevating the level of competition across the board.
Financial benefits of Stickers in Counter-Strike Majors
Stickers in Counter-Strike, first introduced in 2014 during the Katowice Major, have become a defining feature of the game’s culture and economy. More than just a way to customize weapons, stickers are a major revenue source for players, teams, and the broader esports ecosystem. When you buy a Major sticker, 50% of the proceeds go to players or teams, with the other half going to Valve. Some of the rarest and most valuable stickers, like the Titan (Holo) and iBUYPOWER (Holo) from the 2014 Katowice Major, are highly sought after by collectors. These stickers stand out due to their rarity, age, and the storied reputation of the teams they represent.
Here’s how stickers generate income during Majors:
Valve releases limited-edition sticker collections featuring team logos, player signatures, and event branding. These items are available only for a short time, creating a frenzy among fans and collectors. A portion of the sticker sales goes directly to Valve, while another portion often contributes to the tournament prize pool. This system not only boosts the stakes of the competition but also gives fans a way to actively support their favorite teams. Higher sticker sales can lead to a bigger prize pool, attracting top-tier talent and intensifying the matches.
For teams, the revenue from sticker sales can be transformative, covering player salaries, training facilities, and travel expenses. Player autograph stickers, especially those tied to fan-favorite or standout players, often fetch higher prices, offering players an additional income stream.
Stickers also drive a thriving secondary market on platforms like the Steam Marketplace or third-party trading sites. Fans and collectors trade or hold onto stickers as investments, hoping their value will increase over time. Rare and limited-edition stickers, especially those tied to iconic moments or teams, can command substantial prices, making them a valuable asset.
Sticker values fluctuate based on factors like a team’s performance, a player’s popularity, and overall market demand. For instance, a sticker featuring a championship-winning team or a breakout player often spikes in value immediately after a Major.
Beyond their financial role, stickers have a unique way of connecting fans to the game. Applying a sticker to an in-game weapon becomes a personal expression of loyalty, allowing fans to show support for their favorite teams or players. This connection often extends beyond the game, inspiring teams to create physical merchandise—like apparel and collectibles—modeled after their in-game designs.
Ultimately, stickers are a cornerstone of CS Majors, generating revenue for Valve, teams, and players while fostering a sense of community and fan engagement. As Counter-Strike continues to evolve, the impact of stickers on its economy and culture is only set to grow.
Majors in chronological order
CS:GO
- DreamHack Winter 2013
Fnatic won vs Ninjas in Pyjamas $250 000 - ESL Major Series One Katowice 2014
Virtus.pro won vs Ninjas in Pyjamas $250 000 - ESL One: Cologne 2014
Ninjas in Pyjamas won vs Fnatic $250 000 - DreamHack Winter 2014
LDLC won vs Ninjas in Pyjamas $250 000 - ESL One: Katowice 2015
Fnatic won vs Ninjas in Pyjamas $250 000 - ESL One: Cologne 2015
Fnatic won vs EnVyUs $250 000 - DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca 2015
EnVyUs won vs Natus Vincere $250 000 - MLG Major Championship: Columbus 2016
Luminosity won vs Natus Vincere $1 000 000 - ESL One: Cologne 2016
SK Gaming won vs Team Liquid $1 000 000 - ELEAGUE Major Atlanta 2017
Astralis won vs Virtus.pro $1 000 000 - PGL Major Kraków 2017
Gambit won vs Imperial $1 000 000 - ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018
Cloud9 won vs FaZe $1 000 000
Valve increased the number of teams competing in the CS:GO Major for the first time at the 2018 FACEIT Major: London. Prior to this, Majors typically featured 16 teams in the main tournament, but starting with the 2018 Major, Valve expanded the field to 24 teams.
- FACEIT Major: London 2018
Astralis won vs Natus Vincere $1 000 000 - Intel Extreme Masters Season XIII – Katowice Major 2019
Astralis won vs ENCE $1 000 000 - StarLadder Berlin Major 2019
Astralis won vs AVANGAR $1 000 000 - ESL One: Rio Major 2020
The ESL One: Rio Major 2020 was supposed to be the 16th Valve-sponsored CS:GO Major Championship and the first Major of 2020. The major was originally scheduled to take place from May 11th to 24th but was postponed to the Autumn Major dates on March 23rd due to the rapidly increasing spread of COVID-19 in Brazil. The event was canceled on September 9th. The tournament was set to feature a $2,000,000 USD prize pool as a result of the cancellation of the second 2020 Major. - PGL Major Stockholm 2021
Natus Vincere won vs G2 $2 000 000Valve first introduced the Regional Major Rankings (RMR) system for CS:GO in 2020 as part of the qualification process for the CS:GO Majors. The introduction of the RMR system was a significant change in how teams would qualify for Majors, replacing the traditional regional qualifier format that had been used for previous Majors.) - PGL Major Antwerp 2022
FaZe won vs Natus Vincere $1 000 000 - Intel Extreme Masters Rio Major 2022
Outsiders won vs Heroic $1 250 000 - BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023
Vitality won vs GamerLegion $1 250 000
CS2
- PGL Major Copenhagen 2024
Natus Vincere won vs FaZe $1 250 000 - Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024
TBD
(The absence of open qualifiers for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 is likely due to evolving qualification systems) - BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
TBD
(Counter-Strike 2 Majors are set to expand from 24 teams to 32 beginning from 2025, multiple sources have revealed to HLTV.)
Majors are the lifeblood of Counter-Strike, defining the best teams and players in the world, driving the evolution of competitive strategies, and serving as cultural touchstones for the esports community. They’re not just tournaments—they’re global events that highlight the pinnacle of skill, create unforgettable moments, and fuel the economic engine of the entire scene. From the electrifying gameplay to the historic milestones, Majors embody everything that makes Counter-Strike the legendary game it is, representing the ultimate achievements in esports.
Some players and teams have become synonymous with Major history. NiP’s unprecedented 87-0 streak, Fnatic’s era of dominance in 2015, Astralis’ unmatched reign, and s1mple’s relentless journey to claim a Major title—all of these moments have shaped the narrative of Counter-Strike, leaving an indelible mark on its legacy.
s1mple’s pursuit of a Major trophy
Before Stockholm 2021, he came close several times, finishing as a runner-up in some of the most memorable Major finals in CS:GO history. Here are the instances when s1mple came close but fell short:
ESL One Cologne 2016
- Team: Team Liquid
Opponent in final: SK Gaming
Result: Liquid lost 2-0 to SK Gaming in the final.
Key Moment: This was one of the most shocking Major finals, where Liquid was heavily favored, but SK Gaming played a phenomenal series, coming back from a 16:11 loss on Train. In the next two maps, Nuke and Cobblestone, s1mple recorded 1.30 and 1.89 ratings. Despite s1mple’s strong individual performance throughout the tournament, Liquid couldn’t secure the victory, and s1mple finished as a runner-up.
Faceit Major London 2018
- Team: Natus Vincere
Opponent in final: Astralis
Result: Na’Vi lost 2-0 to Astralis in the final.
Key Moment: This was s1mple’s third Major final appearance without winning. Despite being one of the standout players of the tournament and playing some of the best Counter-Strike of his career, Astralis once again proved too strong. Astralis’ teamwork and individual skill overwhelmed Na’Vi in this final.
In two of these cases, s1mple was performing at an extremely high level individually, but his teams ultimately fell short, often against the powerful and well-coordinated teams of Astralis or SK Gaming. It was only in Stockholm 2021, when Na’Vi dominated the tournament, that s1mple finally secured his first Major win, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in CS:GO history.
CS:GO Heritage
ESL One Cologne 2014 Semi-finals Fnatic vs Team Dignitas
The score was tied at 14-14 on the second map when Olofmeister pulled off one of the most insane defuses ever, making history despite the entire area being covered in flames.
MLG Columbus 2016 Semi-finals Luminosity Gaming vs Team Liquid
Luminosity was down 15-9 on Mirage when coldzera pulled off an insane 4k on B, kicking off a comeback where they didn’t drop a single round and ended up winning 19-15 in overtime. They won the event, coldzera was named MVP, and he even got a tattoo to remember that moment.
ESL One Cologne 2015 Grand-finals Fnatic vs EnVyUs
In overtime on Dust2, Fnatic decided to buy 4 AWPs on the T-side and got the first kill on apEX. Later on, Valve added graffiti showing a Terrorist holding all 4 AWPs at once.
ESL One Cologne 2014 Grand-finals Ninjas in Pyjamas vs Fnatic
The Adamo sign (possibly referring to Adam Road in Italy, since the map seems to be set there) is a tribute to Adam ‘Friberg,’ who earned the title of ‘King of Banana.’ NiP was down 5-1 when Friberg pulled off a clutch ace on Inferno. They turned things around, winning 16-13, and walked away as champions of ESL One Cologne 2014.
DreamHack Winter 2014 Quarter-finals Fnatic vs Team LDLC
The “Geländer übersteigen verboten!” sign (translates to “Climbing this railing is prohibited!” as the map Overpass is located in Berlin, Germany). Olofmeister was using an illegal boost every round on CT, and Fnatic somehow pulled off a comeback from 13-3, winning every round after that. After the match, it was decided to replay the map, but Fnatic ended up forfeiting. As a result, Team LDLC advanced to the semifinals and went on to win the grand final against Ninjas in Pyjamas.
ESL One Cologne 2016 Semi-finals Team Liquid vs Fnatic
s1mple found himself in a 1v2 situation, dropped down from heaven with his AWP, no-scoped dennis, and then instantly followed up with another no-scope on KRIMZ at B Main. They managed to win and got the chance to claim the Major trophy, but SK Gaming proved too strong in the end. Valve later added graffiti of a Counter-Terrorist with wings holding a scope-less AWP, which s1mple later had tattooed on his arm.
PGL Krakow 2017
In the last map of the Grand Finals, Dosia and Zeus were in an unwinnable 2v3. Dosia decided to sneak through apartments, go to the boiler, and grenade pit from short while also saving the AWP and AK-47. Despite losing the round, his grenade did enough damage to take out Lucas and Steel, which wrecked Immortals’ economy and threw off their momentum. Thanks to Dosia, Gambit went on to win the map 16-10 and take home the Major. The poster also references a video from cs_summit Spring 2017, where Dosia performed a skit called “Cologne by X-GOD,” in which he parodied an ad for a grenade-shaped perfume bottle with the Italian slogan: “No, you cannot escape now.”
Ninjas in Pyjamas 87-0 streak
It is a record for the most consecutive match victories in the game’s history at the time. The streak began in August 2012 and it ended in April 2013, when they were finally defeated by Virtus.pro 16:14 on Mirage. This 87-0 streak was achieved in LAN tournaments, and it became one of the most iconic records in CS:GO history. During the streak, they managed to win 10 tournaments.
Legacy of Astralis
- First team on HLTV world ranking to remain at the top for a whole year.
- 406 consecutive days at #1 on HLTV’s team ranking, from April 2018 to June 2019.
- ELEAGUE Major Atlanta 2017
3 in a row
- FACEIT Major: London 2018
- Intel Extreme Masters XIII – Katowice Major 2019
- StarLadder Berlin Major 2019
Greatest of all time
Astralis is widely regarded as one of the greatest Counter-Strike teams in history, dominating the competitive scene from 2018 to 2020. HLTV’s retrospectives in 2021 and 2022 highlight how this dominance was built on a remarkable combination of tactical innovation and mental fortitude. Their success wasn’t purely about mechanical skill; under the leadership of gla1ve, one of the most respected in-game leaders in Counter-Strike history, Astralis set a new standard for strategic depth in the game.
What made Astralis truly exceptional was their ability to redefine the way Counter-Strike was played. They introduced groundbreaking tactics, such as creative grenade lineups and near-perfect utility usage, allowing them to control the map with precision. Their timing strategies and efficient rotations ensured they were always a step ahead of their opponents. However, their dominance wasn’t just about their gameplay approach—it was also rooted in their discipline, rigorous preparation, and unshakable mental toughness. They focused on minimizing errors and maintaining composure under pressure, making them a force to be reckoned with in any scenario.
Even amid challenges like roster changes, the core players—dev1ce, Xyp9x, and gla1ve—anchored the team with their consistency and synergy. Many of their victories came down to these players delivering in clutch situations. Gla1ve’s unmatched leadership and tactical ingenuity were pivotal, while dev1ce’s steady performance and Xyp9x’s reputation as a “clutch minister” solidified their reputation as a team that could rise to any occasion.
Astralis didn’t just dominate—they transformed the game. Their tactical innovations influenced how teams approached Counter-Strike, leaving an enduring legacy. Beyond their achievements, Astralis inspired future generations of players, setting the benchmark for excellence in teamwork, preparation, and leadership. Their legacy is a testament to the power of strategic brilliance and cohesive teamwork in shaping the future of competitive CS.
