A CS2 prize pool is the total money a tournament pays out to its teams. The headline figure gets the attention, but the details matter more. Who pays it, how it is split, and who actually receives it all vary from event to event. This guide explains how the system works, using verified Major numbers as examples.
Where does a CS2 prize pool come from?
Most prize money comes from the tournament organiser. Organisers fund it through sponsors, media rights, ticket sales and partnerships. For Majors, Valve sponsors the prize pool. Smaller events may be funded by a league, a community or entry fees, so the source varies a lot.
The first Major in 2013 had a US$250,000 prize pool. The money was community-funded. Early Majors stayed at that level until 2016.
How Major prize money grew
In February 2016, Valve announced a permanent increase in Major prize pools from US$250,000 to US$1,000,000. At the same time, it cut the number of Majors from three per year to two.
| Period | Major prize pool | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 to 2015 | US$250,000 | First Majors |
| 2016 to early 2022 | US$1,000,000 | After Valve's 2016 increase |
| Stockholm 2021 | US$2,000,000 | Money from the cancelled Rio 2020 Major was combined |
| Rio 2022 onward | US$1,250,000 | Includes every CS2 Major so far |
The Rio 2020 Major was cancelled during the pandemic. Its US$2,000,000 figure combined money set aside for two Majors, which then went to Stockholm 2021. For background, see our history of the Majors.
How is prize money split by placement?
A prize pool is not winner-takes-all. Each placement gets a fixed share, set before the event starts. Here is the verified top-eight split from PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, the first CS2 Major:
| Placement | Prize per team |
|---|---|
| 1st | US$500,000 |
| 2nd | US$170,000 |
| 3rd to 4th | US$80,000 |
| 5th to 8th | US$45,000 |
Those eight teams shared US$1,010,000 of the US$1,250,000 total. The rest went to teams knocked out in the Swiss stages. The winner earned about 40% of the whole pool. Other organisers use different splits, so always read the event page.
Who actually gets the money?
Prize money is usually paid to the organisation that owns the team. The player share depends on each contract. Some orgs pass most of it to players, while others keep a larger cut to cover salaries, travel and staff. Coaches may also get a share. These deals are private, so public totals per player are often estimates.
Payments can also take time. Organisers often pay weeks or months after an event, and tax rules depend on the country. If you play in smaller events, check the payment terms before you sign up.
Why prize pools matter beyond the money
Valve uses prize money in its team ranking. According to Valve's Regional Standings repository, the model looks at prize money a team has earned, and prize money earned by opponents it beat. That makes bigger events worth more for rankings too. Our guide to the Valve Regional Standings explains the model.
This is also why tournament tiers matter. A large CS2 prize pool usually signals a stronger field and more ranking weight. Read our tournament tiers guide to compare events.
Sticker money is separate
Teams and players at Majors also earn from stickers. According to Wikipedia, half of each Major sticker sale goes to the player or team, and half to Valve. This income is separate from the prize pool and can be large for popular teams. Our page on autograph stickers covers how that works.
How to check a tournament's prize pool
- Open the organiser's official event page or rulebook.
- Look for the placement table, not only the headline number.
- Check the currency. Not every event pays in US dollars.
- Compare with Liquipedia, which lists prize splits for most events.
Sources and checks
Major prize pools and history were checked on 1 November 2026 against Wikipedia's Major Championships page and Liquipedia's Majors list. The Copenhagen 2024 split came from Wikipedia's PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 page, and the ranking inputs from Valve's Regional Standings repository.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a CS2 Major prize pool?
Recent Majors, including every CS2 Major listed on Liquipedia so far, advertise US$1,250,000.
How much does the Major winner get?
At PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, the winner received US$500,000. Splits can differ at other events, so check each event page.
Do players keep all the prize money?
Usually not. Money normally goes to the organisation, and each player's contract decides their share.
