From Copenhagen to Shanghai: CS2’s Unforgettable Debut

The first full year of Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) esports was nothing short of groundbreaking. From NAVI’s stellar performances to Team Spirit’s meteoric rise, 2024 delivered thrilling storylines, historic plays, and a glimpse into the future of competitive Counter-Strike.

Major Tournaments and Champions

PGL Major Copenhagen 2024

The inaugural CS2 Major set the tone for the year. Held in March, it boasted a $1,250,000 prize pool and saw Natus Vincere (NAVI) claim victory over FaZe Clan in a gripping 2-1 grand final. NAVI’s triumph established their dominance early in the season.

Esports World Cup 2024

Hosted in Riyadh in July, this prestigious event featured a $5 million prize pool across multiple esports titles. NAVI continued their streak, defeating G2 Esports 2-1 in the grand final. Valeriy "b1t" Vakhovskiy was named MVP, further solidifying NAVI’s place at the top. NAVI will solidify its position as the best team of 2024 with seven overall finals appearances and four trophies won. Besides the PGL Major and EWC 2024, they won the ESL Pro League Season 20 and IEM Rio 2024.

IEM Cologne 2024

August brought one of Counter-Strike’s most iconic tournaments. Team Vitality claimed the $1,000,000 prize, showcasing their resilience and skill. This victory reasserted Vitality’s status among the elite teams.

Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024

The first CS2 Major in Asia concluded the year in December, with Team Spirit emerging victorious. The tournament will be remembered as the one in which donk broke five records: most aces at a Major (4), youngest Major winner (17 years and 324 days old), youngest Major MVP, highest-rated Major MVP (1.49), highest-rated rifler in Major final (1.67).

BLAST Premier: World Final 2024

In November, G2 Esports capped off their resurgence with a dominant 3-0 victory over Team Spirit, securing the $1,000,000 prize. This win marked a high point for G2’s season after earlier struggles.

Key Storylines

NAVI’s Year of Dominance

NAVI will solidify its position as the best team of 2024 with seven overall finals appearances and four trophies won. Besides the PGL Major and EWC 2024, they won the ESL Pro League Season 20 and IEM Rio 2024.

The Rise of Team Spirit

2024 was a breakout year for Team Spirit, highlighted by their triumph at the Shanghai Major. Young prodigy donk emerged as a generational talent, delivering clutch plays and elevating Spirit to new heights.

FaZe Clan’s Inconsistency

Despite a strong start to the year, including a grand final appearance at the Copenhagen Major, FaZe struggled to maintain their form. Their inability to close out key matches against top-tier teams like NAVI underscored their turbulent season.

Technical Drama at Copenhagen

The PGL Copenhagen Major was not without controversy. A critical computer crash during Virtus.pro’s match against G2 sparked heated debates about tournament infrastructure and fairness, drawing attention to the challenges of CS2’s transition.

Unforgettable Moments

A fan at IEM Cologne became an overnight sensation after opening a rare Ursus Doppler knife case live on broadcast, creating a viral moment for the CS2 community.

donk’s record-breaking performance at Perfect World Shanghai Major including four aces was a defining moment of the year.

Emerging Trends and Future Outlook

The transition to CS2 brought fresh excitement but also challenges. Teams adapted to new mechanics and strategies, while Valve’s announcement that 2024 would be the final year for ESL and BLAST partnership tournaments hinted at a structural shake-up for the competitive scene.

2024 was a transformative year for CS2 esports. From NAVI’s dominance to donk’s rise and unforgettable moments across the calendar, the first full season of CS2 set a strong foundation for the game’s future. As Counter-Strike enters a new era, its legacy as one of esports’ premier titles is only growing stronger.