Valve Changes VRS Region-Switching Rules for CS2 Majors

Valve has updated the Counter-Strike 2 Major rulebook after several organizations attempted to move from the European VRS region to Asia in order to improve their chances of qualifying for PGL Major Singapore 2026.

A new clause has been added to the rules:

“A roster may only be eligible for a regional assignment if it has not appeared in another region’s VRS list during the previous three calendar months.”

In practice, this means that a team will no longer be able to switch regions shortly before Major invitations are distributed. For a new regional assignment to be recognized, the roster must not have appeared in another region’s ranking for three calendar months.

The change applies only to the Major invitation system. At other tournaments, teams will still be able to receive invitations based on their current ranking positions and regional affiliation.

Valve also clarified that the new rule will already apply to PGL Major Singapore 2026. Importantly, the three-month period is counted from the date Major invitations are distributed, rather than from the start of the tournament itself.

The developers also separately addressed teams that had already switched regions ahead of the Singapore Major. These rosters will not be eligible to compete under their new regional assignment unless they contact Valve and reach a separate solution.

The change directly affects several organizations that recently attempted to move into the Asian VRS. These include BC.Game, which signed Australian player Tyson "asap" Paterson, as well as Sashi, which added two Australian players to its roster.

Sashi Sign TjP and Hatz, Target Asian VRS Ranking

As a result, Valve has effectively closed the possibility of switching regions at the last moment in order to secure a more favorable position in the race for a Major spot.