ESL FACEIT Contributes $22 Million to Counter-Strike’s 25-26 Esports Ecosystem

As a long-time esports enthusiast with memories of attending my first LAN party back in 2001, this announcement from ESL FACEIT is nothing short of electrifying! With roots dating back to the turn of the millennium and a recent merger that’s proven to be more successful than the Y2K bug scare, I can confidently say that these are the good old days for Counter-Strike esports.

ESL FACEIT has made a large donation to the leading Counter-Strike 2 competition circuit between 2025 and 2026. A statement revealed that a staggering sum of $22 million will be given to various professional ESL CS2 tournaments over these two years, with half of this amount, $11 million, being allocated for each competitive year.

2025 will see a packed calendar starting with the highly esteemed IEM Katowice tournament, which takes place in January. This is a significant event within the global esports scene.

Eager Investment

One of the largest and most valuable esports organizations globally is ESL FACEIT, a company with roots tracing back to 2000. In 2022, they combined forces as ESL and FACEIT following a merger, which took place during an acquisition by Savvy Games Group from Saudi Arabia. This union has proven to be highly successful.

In a recent press release disclosing the news about this multi-million-dollar contribution, ESL FACEIT’s Marc Winther said:

The Esports Pro Tour (EPT) for Counter-Strike 2 reflects EFG’s dedication to cultivating a thriving competitive scene and preserving the legacy of Counter-Strike, a commitment we’ve upheld since the year 2000.
We’re thrilled about expanding our global network, connecting various regions, and offering competition at different levels. This will create more chances for top-tier teams and enthusiastic supporters everywhere.

2021 has been an extraordinary year for competitive Counter-Strike gaming. In the hot summer months, the most-attended IEM Cologne tournament ever held took place, boasting a peak viewership of over one million online users. The 100th IEM event was hosted in Dallas during the spring, and throughout 2024, an astounding total of over 140 million hours’ worth of Counter-Strike content were enjoyed by viewers worldwide.

At IEM Rio 2024 in Brazil, CS2 received its moment in the limelight. According to reports from Esports Charts, IEM Rio 2024 was a resounding triumph due to the numerous streaming options provided and watch parties organized by well-known streamers.

2025 promises a packed schedule for events enthusiasts, as the Counter-Strike community can anticipate an abundance of exciting happenings coming up next year.