
According to reports, Valve will make many changes to its CS2 majors format, and fans will see a revamped CS2 esports circuit in 2025.
Valve-sponsored majors are the most prestigious esports tournaments for Counter-Strike 2. The big prize pool and in-game event money are significant incentives for teams to give their best performance. Every six months or so, the tournaments see the best teams fight it out until only one remains. However, there’s news that Valve might be making significant modifications to the events. According to reports, Valve will make crucial changes to its CS2 majors format.
These changes include more teams, a different method to invite qualifying teams, and a longer duration for the tournament.
Valve is starting an expansion for the majors, increasing the team count from 24 to 32 starting in 2025.
Expanding the number of teams might be the biggest change Valve has made to its majors format in years. The majors haven’t seen any significant change in its format from Valve since the 2018 Boston Major. However, this upcoming change will help more teams qualify, and the competition might become even fiercer.
In addition, the majors will also feature an additional four-day Swiss stage before the opening and elimination stages. The expansion to 32 teams will likely mean that CS2 majors will take even longer to run. The longer duration means waiting longer to find out which team wins, but it will also provide more opportunities for less-competitive teams to perform.
Along with the major updates, learning to remove and reuse charms in CS2 is another way to stay ahead in the game’s latest customization options.
Valve is also removing the RMR qualifying system from CS2 majors, which will completely change how qualification works in 2025.
Valve introduced the RMR system in 2020, and it has been the deciding factor for teams reaching the major. Furthermore, the RMR system is also vital in confirming which teams will earn sticker revenue. As every region has a select number of slots, the RMR system ensured multiple teams from every region got to try their hand at participating, even if most didn’t make it to the main stage.
However, with its removal, teams will now be selected based on the Valve regional standings instead. Using the VRS will make rewards more consistent and based on a team’s performance.
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