CS2 esports peaked in 2025 with record viewership worldwide

Counter-Strike 2 delivered a record-breaking year in esports during 2025, fueled by an expanded tournament calendar and new Valve regulations that reshaped the competitive ecosystem. Updated guidelines improved transparency for organizers, tied invitations to performance metrics, and removed gambling-related sponsors from official events, helping the scene mature while maintaining strong growth. 

Leading the year was the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, which became the most-watched Counter-Strike event of all time. The Major amassed 76.11 million hours watched and peaked at 1.79 million concurrent viewers during a thrilling grand final between Team Vitality and The MongolZ, highlighting the strength of the North American audience. 

The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 followed closely with 71.31 million hours watched and a 1.59 million peak, as Team Vitality secured another Major title on the international stage. ESL events also dominated the calendar, with IEM Cologne 2025 surpassing 35 million hours watched and IEM Katowice 2025 exceeding 30 million, reinforcing their status as premier non-Major tournaments. 

Completing the top five, ESL Pro League Season 21 benefited from a streamlined format and open qualification system, boosting engagement and average viewership. Events like IEM Melbourne further showcased CS2’s global reach, making 2025 a defining year for the franchise.