The ESL Grand Slam (formerly known as the Intel Grand Slam) has just witnessed unparalleled history. Team Vitality has officially secured a historic second Grand Slam title after taking down the competition at IEM Rio 2026. They are now the first and only organization in history to win the coveted $1,000,000 prize twice.
Adding even more gravity to this milestone is Vitality’s star rifler, Robin “ropz” Kool. By hoisting the trophy in Rio, ropz officially became the first player in CS history to win a staggering three Grand Slams, having previously secured one with FaZe Clan and his first with Team Vitality. The rest of the Vitality squad also joins the elite Multi Slam club alongside Twistzz.
Quick Overview of ESL Grand Slam Winners:
- Season 1: Astralis (2017 to 2018)
- Season 2: Team Liquid (2019)
- Season 3: Natus Vincere (2020 to 2021)
- Season 4: FaZe Clan (2022 to 2023)
- Season 5: Team Vitality (2024 to 2025)
- Season 6: Team Vitality (2025 to 2026)
What is the ESL Grand Slam?
The ESL Grand Slam represents one of the most prestigious and demanding achievements in esports. The title and a massive $1,000,000 prize bonus (traditionally awarded in gold bars) are given to the first team that wins four eligible ESL or DreamHack tournaments within a window of ten consecutive events.
To prove absolute dominance, these four victories must include at least one designated Championship tier event, such as IEM Katowice, IEM Cologne, or an ESL-hosted Major.
Season 7: The Board is Wiped Clean
With Team Vitality closing out Season 6 at IEM Rio, all previous progress from teams like Team Spirit, FURIA, and Natus Vincere is officially reset. The race for the next $1,000,000 prize begins anew with Season 7 kicking off at IEM Atlanta 2026.
The Grand Slam Seasons Rundown
Only five legendary organizations have managed to conquer the Grand Slam gauntlet, but Vitality stands alone at the top. Here is a breakdown of every season and the path each team took to secure the $1,000,000 prize.
Season 6: Team Vitality (2025 to 2026)
On April 19th, 2026, Team Vitality achieved the impossible by completing back-to-back Grand Slams. Capturing their fourth required trophy at IEM Rio, Vitality cemented this roster as one of the greatest dynasties in Counter-Strike history.
The Roster: apEX, ZywOo, flameZ, mezii, ropz
The Winning Run:
IEM Dallas 2025
ESL Pro League Season 22
IEM Rio 2026
Season 5: Team Vitality (2024 to 2025)
On April 27th, 2025, Team Vitality became the fifth team to etch their names into Grand Slam history. Closing out a dominant run at IEM Melbourne, Vitality’s achievement was uniquely historic: they were the first team to complete a Grand Slam entirely within the Counter-Strike 2 era.
- The Roster: apEX, ZywOo, flameZ, mezii, ropz
- The Winning Run:
- IEM Cologne 2024
- IEM Katowice 2025
- ESL Pro League Season 21
- IEM Melbourne 2025
Season 4: FaZe Clan (2022 to 2023)
Led by legendary in-game leader karrigan, FaZe Clan became the first truly international, mixed nationality roster to win a Grand Slam. Their run was defined by immense resilience and stage presence, culminating in a dramatic ESL Pro League Season 17 victory.
- The Roster: karrigan, rain, broky, Twistzz, ropz
- The Winning Run:
- IEM Katowice 2022
- ESL Pro League Season 15
- IEM Cologne 2022
- ESL Pro League Season 17
Season 3: Natus Vincere (2020 to 2021)
NAVI’s Grand Slam spanned the difficult transition from the online era back to LAN environments. Powered by s1mple at his absolute peak, they capped off their run by sweeping the competition and securing the prize with an ESL Pro League Season 14 victory.
- The Roster: s1mple, Boombl4, electronic, b1t, Perfecto
- The Winning Run:
- IEM Katowice 2020
- DreamHack Masters Spring 2021
- IEM Cologne 2021
- ESL Pro League Season 14
Season 2: Team Liquid (2019)
Team Liquid’s Season 2 victory remains the fastest Grand Slam completion in history. The North American powerhouse went on an unstoppable summer tear, securing all four necessary trophies in a blistering 63 days.
- The Roster: nitr0, EliGE, Stewie2K, NAF, Twistzz
- The Winning Run:
- IEM Sydney 2019
- DreamHack Masters Dallas 2019
- ESL Pro League Season 9
- ESL One Cologne 2019
Season 1: Astralis (2017 to 2018)
The inaugural Grand Slam was claimed by what many consider the greatest tactical CS:GO roster of all time. Astralis defined an entire era of the game, methodically dismantling opponents to become the first team to claim the $1,000,000 prize.
- The Roster: gla1ve, device, Magisk, Xyp9x, dupreeh
- The Winning Run:
- DreamHack Masters Marseille 2018
- ESL Pro League Season 7
- IEM Chicago 2018
- ESL Pro League Season 8
Grand Slam wins by player
Winning a single Grand Slam is a career defining achievement. Winning multiple puts a player in a tier of their own. Here are all the players who have won an ESL Grand Slam, sorted by the number of times they have achieved the feat.
Two wins
Only two players in history have managed to win the Grand Slam with two entirely different organizations. (Note: ropz is currently in contention for a 3rd).
- ropz: FaZe Clan (Season 4), Team Vitality (Season 5)
- Twistzz: Team Liquid (Season 2), FaZe Clan (Season 4)
One win
- Team Vitality (Season 5): apEX, ZywOo, flameZ, mezii
- FaZe Clan (Season 4): karrigan, rain, broky
- Natus Vincere (Season 3): s1mple, Boombl4, electronic, b1t, Perfecto
- Team Liquid (Season 2): nitr0, EliGE, Stewie2K, NAF
- Astralis (Season 1): gla1ve, device, Magisk, Xyp9x, dupreeh
