Counter-Strike 2 will make its first appearance at the Esports Nations Cup, introducing one of the world’s most iconic esports disciplines in a national team format. A total of 24 teams from around the globe will compete for a $1.32 million prize pool. Qualifiers will take place from June 6 to June 19, with the best national lineups earning their spots at ENC through regional competitions.
The tournament will begin with a group stage, where teams will compete in a round-robin, best-of-one format. Sixteen teams will advance to the playoffs, which will be played in a single-elimination bracket. All playoff series will be held in a best-of-five format to determine the champion.
The qualification process will consist of two stages. First, 96 national qualifiers will be held worldwide, followed by 10 regional qualifiers that will determine the 24 teams advancing to the main event. The official Valve Global Ranking will be used to determine eligible nations, with a cut-off date set for June 1. If necessary, FACEIT Elo ratings of top players from remaining countries will also be taken into account.
The Esports Nations Cup is set to become an important milestone for Counter-Strike 2 on the international stage. While Europe and North America have traditionally dominated the scene, the national team format opens the door for regions from Asia and Latin America to challenge the established order and create new global rivalries.
Previously, Gore Verbinski spoke about the cancelled BioShock film.
