This year’s Counter-Strike 2 event at the Esports World Cup (EWC) has begun. Sixteen (16) teams from all over the globe have participated, and only one will be crowned the champions of EWC 2025.
The opening games have been nothing short of exhilarating. NAVI, the winners of EWC 2024, were eliminated right in the first match by 3DMAX, while G2 Esports were made to head back home by Team Falcons on Aug. 21.
Here’s everything you need to know about the CS2 Esports World Cup 2025 schedule, competing teams, and more.
CS2 Esports World Cup 2025 start and end dates
The CS2 Esports World Cup 2025 playoffs run from Aug. 20 to 24. The tournament features a single-elimination format.
All teams participating in CS2 Esports World Cup 2025
A total of 16 teams are taking part in the CS2 Esports World Cup 2025. While 15 teams are chosen based on the June 2025 Valve Regional Standings (VRS), the last slot is reserved for the Asian Champions League 2025 winner.
Here’s a complete rundown of all the teams participating in the 2025 Esports World Cup for CS2:
- Team Vitality: apEX, ZywOo, flameZ, mezii, ropz, XTQZZZ
- MOUZ: Torzsi, xertioN, Jimpphat, Brollan, Spinx, sycrone
- Team Spirit: chopper, magixx, zont1x, donk, sh1ro, hally
- Team Falcons: Magisk, NiKo, TeSeS, kyxsan, m0NESY, zonic
- The MongolZ: bLitz, Techno4K, 910, mzinho, Senzu, maaRaa
- Aurora Gaming: XANTARES, MAJ3R, Wicadia, woxic, jottAAA, Fabre
- G2 Esports: huNter, malbsMd, HeavyGod, SunPayus, matys
- Natus Vincere: b1t, Aleksib, jL, iM, w0nderful, B1ad3
- GamerLegion: sl3nd, ztr, Tauson, PR, REZ, ashhh
- FaZe Clan: rain, karrigan, frozen, broky, jcobbb, NEO
- Astralis: dev1ce, Staehr, stavn, jabbi, ruggah, HooXi
- 3DMAX: Lucky, Ex3rcice, Maka, Graviti, bodyy, wasiNk
- HEROIC: SunPayus, LNZ, yxngstxr, xfl0ud, tN1R, sAw
- Team Liquid: NAF, Twistzz, ultimate, NertZ, siuhy, DeMars DeRover
- Virtus.pro: FL1T, fame, electroNic, FL4MUS, ICY, F_1N
- TYLOO (Asian Champions League 2025 winner): Attacker, JamYoung, Moseyuh, Mercury, Jee, zhokiNg
CS2 Esports World Cup 2025 prize pool distribution
The total prize pool of the CS2 Esports World Cup 2025 is $1,250,000 (USD). Here’s what the team standings and the prize distribution look like as of Aug. 22, 2025:
| Place | Prize money | Team | EWC Club Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | $500,000 | The MongolZ | 1,000 |
| 2nd | $230,000 | Aurora Gaming | 750 |
| 3rd | $130,000 | Team Falcons | 500 |
| 4th | $70,000 | Team Vitality | 300 |
| 5th to 8th | $40,000 | TYLOO 3DMAX TBD TBD |
200 |
| 9th to 16th | $20,000 | Team Liquid Astralis Natus Vincere GamerLegion Virtus.pro G2 Esports FaZe Clan Team Spirit |
– |
How to watch CS2 Esports World Cup 2025
The entire Esports World Cup 2025 is livestreamed on their official Twitch and YouTube channels.
