Valve has outlined its plans for the 2027 and 2028 Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) Majors, sending a detailed email to tournament organizers (TOs) with bidding requirements. This announcement comes alongside a stern warning regarding missed deadlines for 2025 and 2026 events, reinforcing Valve’s strict expectations for compliance.
Key Dates for 2027 and 2028 Majors
As per the email obtained by HLTV.org, Valve is inviting proposals for the 2027 and 2028 Majors, with a submission deadline of March 1, 2025. Decisions on the successful bids will be finalized by June 1, 2025.
The proposed dates for these events are as follows:
2027:
- May 31 – June 20
- November 22 – December 12
2028:
- May 29 – June 18
- November 20 – December 10
Valve emphasized that the Major organizers would oversee regional qualifiers, including Minor Regional Qualifiers (MRQs) and open qualifiers, which must conclude no less than two weeks before the Major, with three weeks being the preferred timeline.
Expectations for Tournament Proposals
In the same email, Valve shared specific guidelines for submitting bids:
- TOs may propose hosting multiple Majors across the two years.
- Events in regions where the TO has a proven track record are prioritized.
- Proposals should include detailed backup plans to address potential travel restrictions or venue issues.
- The focus should remain on features that have been tested and proven. Novel elements must come with detailed implementation and contingency plans.
- TOs are required to outline streaming plans, including platforms, languages, and schedules, to cater to CS2’s global audience. Valve highlighted two prime times for streaming: 16:00 CET and 21:00 CET.
Valve’s Warning on Missed Deadlines
In a related development, Valve issued a stern warning to TOs failing to meet deadlines for 2025 and 2026 events. According to HLTV.org, an email reiterated that TOs must adhere to the “Tournament Operating Requirements” introduced in 2025 to retain their licenses. Valve stated it would “explore penalties” if issues surrounding missing information, particularly event locations, were not resolved immediately.
The following 2025 Tier 1 events were cited as examples of non-compliance due to missing location details:
- IEM Spring: April 21-27
- BLAST Rivals S1: April 28-May 4
- StarLadder StarSeries Season 19: May 26-June 1 (expected cancellation)
- ESL Pro League Season 22: September 27-October 12
- Thunderpick World Championship Finals: October 15-19
- BLAST Rivals S2: November 10-16
Valve clarified that all Tier 1 events for 2027 must be announced two years in advance, with detailed information finalized a year prior. Exceptions will not be granted for missing or incomplete announcements.
A Look at 2026 Compliance
Several 2026 events were also flagged for missing critical details, with Valve reinforcing that rolling deadlines are now in effect. Organizers must secure approval for any changes to already announced details.
