Thunderpick Brings Back CS2 World Championship with $1 Million Prize

Thunderpick has officially announced the return of the Thunderpick World Championship (TWC) for 2025, continuing its push to expand the Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) esports scene. With a total prize pool of $1 million, the tournament will span multiple regions and conclude with a LAN final in Malta.

Good to know

• TWC 2025 finals will take place in Malta from October 15 to October 19.
• Regional qualifiers will be held across North America, South America, and Europe.
• Thunderpick has committed to hosting TWC in 2026 and beyond.

TWC 2025 will feature a total prize pool of $1 million, with $850,000 set aside for the LAN finals in Malta. Before the finals, the competition will go through a global qualifying process including two Regional Series each in Europe, North America, and South America. A closed qualifier will follow to finalize the lineup for the main event.

The full schedule includes:

• EU1: April 28 – May 7
• NA1: May 8 – May 16
• SA1: June 27 – July 2
• SA2: July 8 – July 13
• NA2: July 24 – August 1
• EU2: August 5 – August 14
• Closed Qualifier: September 9 – 11
• Finals (LAN): October 15 – 19

All matches will be streamed live on twitch.tv/thunderpicktv.

Long-term investment in CS2

Following the success of the 2024 tournament, where The MongolZ defeated HEROIC 3-1 in the finals, Thunderpick has restated its long-term ambition for CS2 esports. According to Kelly Sanders, Head of Strategy at Thunderpick, “As we head into our third year of the Thunderpick World Championship, our mission remains clear: to provide a world-class tournament experience for players and fans alike. With our 2025 plans underway and 2026 already in motion, we’re proud to continue investing in the future of CS2.”

TWC remains one of the largest independently sponsored CS2 competitions, showcasing Thunderpick’s dedication to competitive integrity and high production value.

Partnership with Hotspawn enhances viewer experience

In 2025, Thunderpick will partner with Hotspawn, an esports-focused platform, to co-present the event. The collaboration introduces a new visual identity and fan-friendly features aimed at enhancing the tournament’s broadcast and viewer engagement.

Hotspawn Editor in Chief Sophie McCarthy shared her thoughts on the partnership: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Thunderpick World Championship, an event that is fast becoming one of the most exciting in the Counter-Strike calendar. This partnership is a huge milestone for Hotspawn as we go all in on the biggest tournaments and we’re excited to bring our community even closer to the action.”