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North American organization Gaimin Gladiators stuns the Copenhagen Major with unexpected entry into CS2

Gaimin Gladiators Return to Counter-Strike with Former ECSTATIC Squad

After a two-year break, Gaimin Gladiators is making a comeback in the competitive Counter-Strike scene. The North American esports organization has set its sights on the former ECSTATIC squad, which recently made a name for themselves at the PGL Copenhagen Major.

Acquisition Announcement

On April 14, the organization officially announced the acquisition of the ECSTATIC team through X (formerly Twitter). This move marks Gaimin Gladiators’ return to the esports scene after briefly hosting an American roster in the 2022 competitive season.

Salazar, a player for ECSTATIC, checks a monitor at the PGL CS2 Copenhagen Major.
The squad continues to build up a sizeable resume in CS2. Photo by Joao Ferreira via PGL

Players’ Sentiments and Continued Success

After the announcement, Magnus “Nodios” Olsen expressed his gratitude for his time with ECSTATIC, highlighting the team’s achievements. Queenix, Jason Salazar, Patti, and kraghen, the rest of the roster, echoed this sentiment and were pleased to continue their journey as a cohesive unit under the Gaimin Gladiators banner.

Rise to Prominence

The ECSTATIC team gained recognition after their performance at the ESL Challenger Melbourne in 2023. Following their first offline CS2 tournament together, they dedicated the next year to grinding through various online European CS2 events. Their hard work paid off with a qualification for the PGL Copenhagen Major where they exceeded expectations by surviving the Opening Stage and even securing a win against FURIA in the Elimination Stage.

Gaimin Gladiators’ Track Record

Although they are making their mark in Counter-Strike, Gaimin Gladiators has already established themselves as a formidable force in the world of Dota 2. Their international roster dominated the MOBA’s competitive season in 2023, boasting three Major title wins and over $3 million in winnings. The organization also sponsors players in other titles such as Rocket League, Apex Legends, Fortnite, and the Fighting Game Community.

While the Gaimin Gladiators have yet to secure a LAN appearance under their new banner, they are still actively competing in the Thunderpick World Cup and Elisa Invitational Spring qualifiers.


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