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Dot Esports
Dot Esports
Jeremiah Sevilla

CS2 fans want Valve to host a Major at the birthplace of Counter-Strike

It’s been just over a week since the Austin Major 2025 wrapped up, and it was an absolute BLAST (pun intended). But even with the dust barely settled, CS2 fans are already asking for another Major tournament in North America.

This time, though, it’s not just about another Major in the nearly forgotten region. The community is rallying around a more sentimental idea: bringing a Counter-Strike Major to the true birthplace of the legendary game.

NA has only hosted four out of the 22 CS Major Championships so far, all of them in the United States. Not a single Major has taken place where the game was literally created. And for many fans, that just doesn’t sit right anymore.

Tarik lifts the trophy as Cloud9 celebrate their victory at the ELEAGUE Boston Major 2018.
All Majors in NA so far have been held in the U.S. Photo via ELEAGUE

Ask a bunch of CS fans where Counter-Strike was born, and you’ll get answers like Sweden, the U.S., or “somewhere in Europe.” Yeah, those places were pivotal to the game’s competitive scene, especially Sweden, which produced legendary players and teams (that legendary NiP squad with the unbreakable 60-game and 87-0 map win streak).

But if you’re talking about the actual origin of the game? Dig a little deeper into the game’s roots, and you’ll find out it all points to Canada. Its original creator, Canadian-Vietnamese developer Minh Le (also known as Gooseman), was finishing his fourth year at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby in 1999. Alongside Jess Cliffe, he created the iconic Half-Life mod that would soon explode in popularity.

Minh Le, creator of Counter-Strike,
It all started with Minh Le’s passion project. Photo via Simon Fraser University

What began as a fun side project eventually became one of the most iconic franchises in gaming history, and what many esports fans believe as the greatest esport in the world. Valve saw the mod’s potential, picked it up, and the rest is history. Fast forward 25 years, and Counter-Strike is now in its fifth generation with CS2, but Canada still hasn’t hosted a Major.

That surprising fact has recently sparked a renewed push from fans on Reddit. Following the successful staging of Austin Major, the community is once again calling on Valve to honor the game’s humble Canadian beginnings with a world-class event.

“Counter-Strike was birthed in Canada. When will we get a Canada Major?” a Redditor wrote. “Listen, I’m Canadian and just want to see a Major where it all started—in Canada.” Another chimed in: “Vancouver Major for the sake of Gooseman, please.”

Fans have pointed to clear frontrunners for potential host cities, with Vancouver and Toronto leading the way. Both have proven track records when it comes to major esports events. Vancouver hosted Dota 2’s The International 2018 (TI8) and is currently staging the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational 2025. Meanwhile, VALORANT Masters Toronto concluded around the same time as the Austin Major, showing that Canada’s top cities are more than capable of handling multiple high-profile tournaments.

OG celebrate after winning Dota 2 The International 2018 held at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada.
Vancouver witnessed one of the greatest runs in esports history. Photo via Valve

However, some community members pointed out potential obstacles for organizers and esports teams. High taxes, expensive accommodations, and venue logistics could make organizing a Major in Canada a bit of a headache. The lack of a dominant Canadian squad on the CS2 scene at the moment could also make it harder to generate local hype or sell out an arena.

Still, many fans argue that nostalgia and history are reason enough. Counter-Strike wouldn’t exist in the form we know it today without that little college project. Giving Canada its first Major wouldn’t just be cool, it would be a full-circle moment for the game and its legacy. With CS2 still carving out its identity and Valve making an effort to keep the Major circuit alive, I believe now is the perfect time to honor where it all started.

It’s time to bring Counter-Strike home.


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