The Esports Foundation has released comprehensive details regarding their upcoming Counter-Strike 2 championships for 2027 and 2028, bringing significant changes to the tournament calendar and location.
The primary shift involves moving the event window from August to late July. The 2027 edition is scheduled to take place between July 20th and August 1st, while the 2028 tournament is provisionally set for July 14th through 30th. This timing adjustment appears designed to position the competition more strategically in the annual calendar, immediately following the traditional summer break period for professional players.
The return to Riyadh represents a homecoming of sorts for the event. The 2026 edition had originally been planned for Saudi Arabia before circumstances related to regional tensions between the US and Iran prompted organizers to relocate that year's tournament to Paris, France.
Regarding tournament structure, the 2027 event will maintain the same format and Last Chance Qualifier system used in 2026. The main event will feature 28 participating teams distributed across several qualification pathways: 20 slots allocated through Global VRS invitations, two teams each from North American, South American, and Asian VRS invitations, two Wildcard invitations, and four teams emerging from the Riyadh Open Qualifier. The prize pool remains set at two million dollars, continuing the substantial financial commitment to competitive Counter-Strike 2.
