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CS2 at Esports World Cup 2026 Will Expand to 32 Teams, Two-Stage Format With Double Elimination, and Feature Open Qualifier on LAN

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Counter-Strike 2 will return to the Esports World Cup once again in 2026, with twice as many teams as ever before, a new format that gives teams more opportunities to succeed, a record-breaking $2 million prize pool, and an open qualifier that will take place in the heart of the Esports Boulevard in Riyadh.
Here’s everything you need to know about CS2 at EWC 2026:
SCHEDULE AND FORMAT
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The CS2 tournament at EWC 2026 will begin August 12th, 2026, and will conclude with the grand final on August 23rd, 2026. All stages of the tournament will take place entirely on LAN.
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The CS2 tournament will consist of two stages:
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Stage 1: A 32-team group stage featuring four groups of eight teams competing in double-elimination brackets. Opening rounds matches will be best-of-one, with the remaining matches being best-of-three.
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Stage 2: A 16-team single-elimination playoff bracket. All matches will be best-of-three up until the grand final, which will be best-of-five.
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QUALIFICATION INFO
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32 teams will qualify for Stage One of the tournament:
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21 invited teams based on the Global VRS rankings following the first monthly VRS publication of June 2026
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2 teams invited based on the North American VRS rankings (not including teams in the Top 21 globally)
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2 teams invited based on the South American VRS rankings (not including teams in the Top 21 globally)
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2 teams invited based on the Asian VRS rankings (not including teams in the Top 21 globally)
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The winner of Asian Champions League 2026
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Four teams from an Open Qualifier that will be played on LAN in-person at the Esports Boulevard in Riyadh
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Open Qualifier Dates: August 7th-9th
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Open Qualifier Format: As many Double Elimination Groups needed based off signups
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Top 4 teams advance to the main event. This is a non-BYOC LAN event that can support up to 128 teams. More information, including how to register, will be made available soon.
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Main event tournament seeding will be based on the Global VRS rankings following the first monthly VRS publication of July 2026
PRIZE POOL
This year’s Counter-Strike 2 tournament at EWC 2026 will feature a $2 million prize pool for the main event, the largest ever for a CS2 tournament, and tied for the largest ever in Counter-Strike history with the PGL Stockholm Major in 2021.
Here’s the main event prize pool breakdown:
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1st: $600,000
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2nd: $340,000
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3rd: $190,000
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4th: $110,000
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5th-8th: $60,000
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9th-16th: $35,000
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17th-23th: $20,000
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24th-32nd: $10,000
The Open Qualifier on LAN will also feature its own separate $100,000 prize pool in addition to the four available slots in the main event.
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1st-4th:
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Qualifies to the Main Event
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5th-8th:
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$9,500
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9th-16th:
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$7,750
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CS2 AT EWC 2025 RECAP
The Counter-Strike 2 tournament at the Esports World Cup in 2025 was a historic event, which saw international fan favorites The MongolZ finally lift the elusive trophy they’ve been chasing.
The MongolZ defeated the likes of GamerLegion, 3DMAX, Team Vitality, and Aurora en route to claiming the $500,000 grand prize. Sodbayar “Techno4K” Munkhbold was named the SONY MVP, after his amazing individual performances at EWC 25 throughout the event. He will receive an additional $10,000 and the MVP medal to recognise his achievements.
While they ultimately didn’t win the CS2 tournament, Team Falcons’ 3rd place result played a major part in securing the club its second straight EWC Club Championship, with superstar Nikola “NiKo” Kovač taking the stage at the Closing Ceremony to lift the illustrious trophy.
The post CS2 at Esports World Cup 2026 Will Expand to 32 Teams, Two-Stage Format With Double Elimination, and Feature Open Qualifier on LAN appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Genting Casino Launches the £20k Spin Leaderboard Challenge with VIP finale at Resorts World Birmingham

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Premium online casino brand Genting Casino has announced the launch of its headline £20k Spin Leaderboard Challenge, an exciting promotion offering players the chance to spin for £20,000 grand prize in a roulette showdown at Resorts World Birmingham in December.
Live now until 17 November 2025, this exclusive multi-channel promotion gives eligible UK online casino customers the opportunity to get free spins on deposit, compete in a leaderboard by playing selected games, and secure a place in a live-filmed casino tournament, culminating in a single spin worth £20,000.
Players can opt in by making a deposit of £10 or more at Genting Casino using the bonus code WIN20K, which grants 150 free spins on Big Bass Splash, 10 leaderboard points and a shot at climbing the top 50.
The top five players on the leaderboard will be invited to Resorts World Birmingham for a VIP experience including an overnight stay on the 13th December, up to £150 travel reimbursement and entry into a high-stakes live roulette tournament. The overall tournament winner will claim the Grand Prize Spin which could be worth £20,000.
Those finishing between 6th and 50th place on the leaderboard will receive 100 free spins on Fishin’ Frenzy The Big Catch 2.
Mike Vella from Genting Casino said: “We’re thrilled to offer our unique £20k spin promotion to online customers again, culminating in our unique live finale. The campaign brings players from screen to casino floor in a spectacular fashion and is part of our commitment to capitalise on the exclusive journey we can offer our online customers thanks to our partners at Resorts World Birmingham.”
Leaderboard points are earned playing Online Slot Games and selected Live Tables. Double points are available on specific games on certain weeks with eligible titles including Genting Live Roulette from Manchester, Lucky Lady’s Charm Deluxe and Fishin Frenzy The Big Splash.
The final five players will participate in a filmed, bracket-style live roulette tournament at Resorts World Birmingham, with one last spin deciding who walks away with the life-changing top prize.
Winners will be contacted on 19 November 2025, and the live tournament date will be on 13 December 2025.
This is another example of Genting Casino offering customers a chance to play their favourite online games in order to climb the leaderboard to win prizes from cash following on from previous promotions which offered winners experiences including trips to see some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.
Genting Casino offer a premium online experience with over 7,000 casino games ranging from the classic casino table games including live roulette, blackjack and a catalogue of online slots and instant win games from leading studios and providers, including favourites like Starburst, Fishin’ Frenzy and Book of Dead, all within a safe and secure gaming environment.
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Xtremepush Confirms €12m Financing by AshGrove Capital

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Xtremepush, a market leader of CRM and gamification powered by AI, has announced today that it has received €12m in new funding from its long-term investment partner, AshGrove Capital.
The European capital solutions provider, which specialises in B2B software companies, has issued a flexible debt facility to Xtremepush, which will allow a scaling up of its ambitious growth and acquisition strategies. In addition, it will cement Xtremepush’s market-leading position as a unified CRM and gamification software platform while also advancing its footprint in regulated verticals such as financial services, e-commerce, and publishing.
Xtremepush’s next growth phase, set to be expedited by this latest funding, will see it scale up its operations in multiple regulated markets. This will allow Xtremepush, with Ashgrove’s support, to continue its investment in industry leading R&D, explore new opportunities in other verticals, expand its global market footprint, and power its acquisition strategy complementary to its existing model. The CRM experts hold a five-year investment relationship with AshGrove Capital and this funding round gives a strong approval of the trajectory of the Dublin-based firm, which also has private equity relationships with tech-focused Grafton Capital and Bettor Capital.
Tommy Kearns, CEO and co-founder at Xtremepush, said of the latest funding: “AshGrove Capital has been a hugely supportive partner over the last five years and this latest financing commitment will help us realise our ambitious growth strategy and will accelerate our acquisition plans in the very near future.
“Xtremepush has gone from strength to strength as a CRM and gamification leader in a short space of time, and this backing makes it a truly exciting time to push on following such a major vote of confidence in our technology, leadership, and business direction.”
Jonathon Ferguson, Co-Founder and Partner of AshGrove Capital, added: “Xtremepush are one of very few innovators in the CRM space, consistently raising the bar and demonstrating value to its partners, who inevitably continue their relationship for the long haul”.
“This latest investment is testament to our belief in their ambitious growth strategy, strong leadership, and robust organisation – one that empowers regulated businesses to deliver compliant, tailored communications at scale. With this new commitment, we’re ready to facilitate the next step of the Xtremepush journey and help the firm scale to become a leader in CRM across various regulated sectors.“
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Galaxsys’ Maestro Tops Crash Game Charts with 500,000+ Players Worldwide

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Galaxsys is proud to announce that Maestro, its flagship crash game, has reached new milestones in player engagement and popularity. With over 500,000 active players and more than 30 million rounds played each month, Maestro continues to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience.
About the Game
In Maestro, players place bets before the round starts and watch as the parrot begins to fly, while the odds steadily climb. Players win with the corresponding odds if they click the “Cashout” button before the crash—the sudden stop—occurs. Maestro features dynamic animations and fascinating bonuses, making every round visually engaging and emotionally thrilling for players.
Key Performance Highlights
- 500,000+ active players – Demonstrating the game’s strong global appeal and consistent player engagement.
- 30 million rounds played per month – Highlighting the game’s high activity levels and replay value.
- $5+ average bet size – Reflecting players’ confidence and willingness to invest in the game.
- 75% player return rate – A testament to Maestro’s engaging mechanics and player satisfaction.
- Available in 10+ regulated markets – Ensuring safe and compliant gaming experiences for a wide audience.
- Offered by 1,500+ operators worldwide – Proving Maestro’s strong adoption and popularity within the operator community.
Teni Grigoryan, Chief Sales and Partner Management Officer at Galaxsys, commented on the game’s success and growth opportunities: “Maestro has been performing exceptionally well across multiple regions. We’re seeing strong engagement from players and consistently high activity levels, which reflects both the game’s mechanics and its universal appeal. Operators across different markets have reported excellent retention and repeat play, making Maestro a reliable and profitable addition to their portfolios.”
Operators can seamlessly integrate Maestro, along with other top-performing industry titles, through a single integration.
The post Galaxsys’ Maestro Tops Crash Game Charts with 500,000+ Players Worldwide appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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