Valve releases new rulebook for hosting CS2 tournaments

Valve has published a new rulebook for Counter-Strike 2 tournaments. The new regulations will apply to all events that end after December 31, 2024. The developers themselves commented on their initiative.

Counter-Strike is at its best when teams compete on a level playing field, and these new rules are part of our commitment to the long-term health of Counter-Strike as a sport. Our goal is to ensure that professional Counter-Strike remains an open sport, where teams are only limited by their ability.

Although we expect that there will be some rough edges as we transition to the new requirements, we're excited to see what the future will bring.

Valve divided all the events into "Ranked" (affect Valve's ranking – Valve Regional Standings) and "Unranked" (do not affect Valve's ranking). The prize pool of Unranked competitions should not exceed $100,000 (and $250,000 within a year from one tournament operator), while the organizers can invite any teams. To host Ranked events, companies must obtain a license from Valve.

Moreover, tournaments are now divided into Tier 1 and Tier 2. Organizers of the Tier 1 events can invite teams only from the top of the ranking; the total number of participants should not be less than 16; at least 8 squads must qualify for the main stage. Invites to the Tier 2 competitions can only be issued to rosters ranked 9th and lower.

The new rulebook also contains information regarding prize money, competition locations, announcement dates, qualifiers and much more. For example, all Tier 1 tournaments for 2026 must be officially announced by January 1, 2025.

More information about the new rulebook for the tournament operators can be found via the link.

Origin: www.counter-strike.net