Skyesports Announces Revamped CS2 Roadmap 2025

2025 CS2 Roadmap

We are unveiling our updated Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) 2025 Roadmap, reflecting strategic adjustments to ensure long-term sustainability and growth for the CS2 ecosystem. After discussions with our partners and sponsors, we have decided to make the following updates to the Skyesports CS2 2025 Roadmap.

Tier 2 events

Skyesports Souvenir 2025 National Championship: Open-for-all India-only ranked event from Feb. 27 to March 1 at the GAFX 2025, which is supported by the Government of Karnataka.

The Skyesports Souvenir 2025 National Championship, our first LAN of the year, is set to be a major step forward for Indian Counter-Strike 2. This is because we are partnering with ABAI, a non-profit organization for developing India's AVGC industry, to bring the event to the GAFX 2025, supported by the Government of Karnataka.

This marks our second collaboration with a state government in India after bringing esports to the Tamil Nadu CM’s Trophy in 2024.

To further support the Tier 2 CS2 scene, we will bring one more unannounced Tier 2 event later this year.

Tier 1 events

In 2025, Skyesports will focus on hosting only one tier 1 event. This will be the Skyesports Masters 2025, replacing the Skyesports World Tour from Nov. 10 to 16. While scaling back from multiple Tier 1 events, the Skyesports Masters 2025 will showcase our continued commitment to the game as we focus on quality over quantity and avoid clashing with other events.

Valve has added the Skyesports Masters 2025 to the exception list allowing us to update the tournament format and reduce the prize pool.

Skyesports Masters 2025 (Nov. 10 to 16)

The tournament will feature 18 Global VRS Ranked Teams (Rank #1 onwards as on Invite Date Oct. 1, 2025) and 2 Wildcard Invites. The top 4 highest ranked teams will move to the Main Event while the remaining 16 will compete in a Online Closed Qualifier.

  • Skyesports Masters 2025 Online Closed Qualifier (Oct. 13 to 20, 2025): The 16 teams will compete in an online Swiss Stage with the top 4 advancing to the Main Event.
  • The Skyesports Masters 2025 Main Event, scheduled from Nov. 10 to 16, 2025 will happen across two stages with 8 teams (4 direct invites and 4 from the Closed Qualifier):
    • Play-Ins: 8 teams (2 groups of 4) in a Group Stage League.
    • Playoffs: Top 2 teams from each group advance to a Double-Elimination bracket.

The prize pool has been reduced to $350,000 as we increase our focus on long-term sustainability. Besides this, Skyesports will provide travel and accommodation to the 8 teams in the Main Event to travel to India to compete.

  • First place: $150,000
  • Second place: $62,000
  • Third place: $43,000
  • Fourth place: $25,000
  • 5th to 8th place: $17,500 each

These changes, while scaled back from our original announcement, reflect our strategic re-alignment to long-term sustainability at Skyesports, while ensuring we continue hosting large-scale, global events. Additionally, we want to further our collaboration with state governments in India, further legitimizing CS2 esports and easing our process of hosting events with increased state support.

Other Disclosures

In line with Valve’s Counter-Strike Tournament Operation Requirements, here are the other disclosures for our ranked events.

  • Remuneration: The prize pool will be the sole remuneration for teams participating in Ranked Events by Skyesports in 2025. Besides the prize pool, Skyesports will take care of hospitality, which includes travel, accommodation, and food only for the Main Events.
  • Roster Eligibility: A roster is eligible to participate in a Tournament via a Direct VRS Invite only if at least three of the athletes on the roster were also part of the roster on the Invite Date. If any roster cannot participate or chooses to decline the Direct VRS Invite, the invite will be extended to the next roster in the VRS in order of Qualifying Ranks until all slots in the Tournament are filled.
  • Visa Requirements: Skyesports will assist players with their visas to India to compete in the Skyesports Masters 2025 Main Event. However, Should any player(s) fail to secure the required visa(s) by the set deadline, a roster can provide alternative(s) from the registered substitutes. If, as a result of this replacement, the roster fails to meet the Roster Eligibility rules, the invite will be extended to the next roster on the VRS list.
  • Integrity Rules: If any player(s) is banned by Valve or has a history of cheating, misconduct, or other infractions, Skyesports will ask the team to replace that player(s). If, as a result of this replacement, the roster fails to meet the Roster Eligibility rules, the invite will be extended to the next roster on the VRS list.

Contact Us

[email protected]