Esports World Cup Counter Strike 2 Qualifiers Unveiled

Esports World Cup Counter Strike 2 Qualifiers Unveiled

Kaustavmani Choudhury

7 Feb, 2024, 04:55

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Last updated: 10 Apr, 2025, 10:30

The Esports World Cup organizers have unveiled further information regarding the qualifying pathway for the upcoming Counter-Strike 2 tournament. Set to take place in Saudi Arabia, succeeding the Gamers8 event, the tournament promises to be a pinnacle in the esports calendar.

The event will be managed by the Esports World Cup Foundation, a government-backed non-profit organization spearheaded by Ralf Reichert. Having departed from his role as Chairman of the ESL FACEIT Group, Reichert brings a wealth of experience to the table.

Global Qualification Overview

Teams hailing from six different regions - Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Oceania, and Saudi Arabia - will have the opportunity to secure a place in the prestigious event.

The schedule for the open and closed qualifiers has been set, with registration links provided for each region. Teams aspiring to compete in the Esports World Cup can secure their chance by registering for the appropriate qualifiers on the specified dates.

Open Qualifiers

Scheduled two weeks after the Major, each region will host a single open qualifier. Two coveted spots in the closed qualifier will be up for grabs in each region.

April 16-17

April 17-18

Closed Qualifiers

Following the open qualifiers, two successful teams will advance to the closed qualifiers, where they will join two invited teams in a rigorous double-elimination, best-of-three bracket. The outcome of this bracket will determine the fortunate team to represent their region in Riyadh during the summer.

April 18-19: North America, South America, Asia, Saudi Arabia

April 19-20: Europe, Oceania

Last month, Team Spirit secured the inaugural spot at the Esports World Cup following their triumph at IEM Katowice.

Prize Pool and Participation

While direct invitations will be extended, the exact number of participating teams and prize pool allocation remain undisclosed. The previous year's Gamers8 event boasted a $1 million prize pool and welcomed 16 elite teams.

Saudi Vision 2030 and Concerns

The Esports World Cup aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, a governmental initiative aimed at broadening the kingdom's economic base. Saudi Arabia's increasing involvement in esports, exemplified by the acquisition of ESL FACEIT Group by the government-backed Savvy Gaming Group, has sparked apprehension due to the nation's history of human rights issues.

Featured Image Source: Esports World Cup

Read More:

A Closer look at Saudi Arabia's Esports World Cup Club Program

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