Valve Raises CS:GO Major Prize Pools to $1M

Valve Raises Prize Pool for Counter-Strike Majors to $1 Million

Valve has responded to the demands of players, fans, and personalities by increasing the prize pool of Counter-Strike majors from $250,000 to $1 million.

Starting with MLG Columbus in just one month, players will now have a chance to win these bigger prize pools in every Valve-sponsored major.

Investment in Four Tournaments Per Year

Valve invests in four tournaments per year, offering an increased prize pool along with in-game stickers that fans can purchase to support their favorite teams. Fans can also receive weapon skin drops for watching the matches in-client. These tournaments hold a higher regard among players and winning teams can proudly boast until the next one.

Breakdown of Prize Pools

The breakdown of the prize pools for Counter-Strike majors is as follows:

Winner: $500,000
Finalist: $150,000
Semi-Finalist: $70,000
Quarter Finalist: $35,000
Group Stage: $8,750

Valve’s decision to increase the prize pool was influenced by pressure from the Counter-Strike community. Games like League of Legends and Dota 2 have surpassed Counter-Strike in tournament winnings in recent times. Fans pointed to the crowd funding-system used by Valve in Dota 2 that helps generate massive winnings for The International, last year’s tournament boasting $18 million in prizes. However, Valve has chosen a different path for Counter-Strike, implementing a new prize structure that makes it one of the most lucrative esports for players.