Esports World Cup 2026 CS2: Teams, Format, Prizes

The main stage of the Esports World Cup 2026 for Counter-Strike 2 starts on August 12. The tournament will feature 32 teams, while the total prize pool has increased to $2 million - up from $1.25 million last year.

Most teams received invitations through the Valve Regional Standings. Lynn Vision qualified by winning ACL, while BIG, K27, JiJieHao, and 100 Thieves made it through the open LAN qualifier.

The main stage will begin with a double-elimination group stage. The opening matches will be played in a best-of-one format, after which the series will switch to best-of-three. The grand final will be played as a best-of-five, with a separate third-place match taking place before it.

First-Day Matches - August 12

Group A

• Luminosity — GamerLegion

• BIG — Aurora

• Spirit — JiJieHao

• G2 — M80

Group B

• Falcons — K27

• Ninjas in Pyjamas — Legacy

• BetBoom — FaZe

• MIBR — Astralis

Group C

• FUT — TYLOO

• PARIVISION — B8

• Vitality — 100 Thieves

• Lynn Vision — MOUZ

Group D

• magic — The MongolZ

• Natus Vincere — 3DMAX

• Wildcard — FURIA

• 9z — paiN

Esports World Cup 2026 Prize Distribution:

• 1st place: $600,000 + 1000 Club Championship points

• 2nd place: $340,000 + 750 points

• 3rd place: $190,000 + 500 points

• 4th place: $110,000 + 300 points

• 5th-8th place: $60,000 each + 200 points

• 9th-16th place: $35,000 each

• 17th-24th place: $20,000 each

• 25th-32nd place: $10,000 each

• Tournament MVP: additional $25,000

100 Thieves, BIG, K27, and JiJieHao Qualify for Esports World Cup 2026 CS2

As a result, EWC 2026 will bring together almost the entire top tier of CS2, including Spirit, Vitality, Falcons, FURIA, MOUZ, NAVI, G2, and FaZe, while the very first matchday will already feature 16 matches.