Thunderpick World Championship 2025 Finals Set for Malta with $1M Prize

The global Counter-Strike community is getting ready for one of the biggest independent esports events of the year. The Thunderpick World Championship (TWC) returns in 2025 with a $1 million prize pool and a stacked lineup of the world’s best CS2 teams. The finals land in Malta this October, setting the stage for a showdown that fans won’t want to miss.

Good to know

• The TWC Finals LAN stage takes place in Malta from October 15–19.
• The Closed Qualifier runs September 9–11 to decide the last spots.
• The defending champions, The MongolZ, enter ranked #3 worldwide.

The Road to Malta

Before the lights go up on the LAN stage, squads will battle in the Closed Qualifier from September 9–11. Only the strongest will earn their ticket to join the elite lineup already confirmed for Malta. The finals carry $850,000 of the total prize pool, adding extra weight to every round played.

Kelly Sanders, Head of Strategy at Thunderpick, captured the spirit of the event:

“As we enter our third year, the Thunderpick World Championship continues to push the boundaries of competitive Counter-Strike. With top teams from around the world converging on Malta and the return of defending champions The MongolZ, fans can expect an unforgettable event full of high-stakes gameplay.”

Who’s In the Fight

The roster of participating teams is as diverse as the global CS2 scene itself. Among the 20 confirmed squads are four of the current world top 10, creating a finals lineup that mixes powerhouse names with rising challengers.

1. The MongolZ – Defending champions, ranked #3
2. NAVI – Ukrainian giants, former Major winners
3. FURIA – Brazil’s top squad, #8 in the world
4. Aurora – Russian team sitting at #5 globally
5. Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) – Swedish icons of CS history
6. SAW – Portugal’s rising stars
7. BIG – Germany’s fan-favorite veterans
8. ENCE – Consistent Finnish-led contenders
9. Imperial – Veteran-led Brazilians with passionate fans
10. 9z – Argentina and Uruguay’s rising hopes

Plus squads like OG, ECSTATIC, Nemiga, Team Legacy, JiJieHao, BB, KOLESIE, PARIVISION, M80, and TNL.

With names like NAVI, Aurora, FURIA, and The MongolZ sharing the stage, the 2025 edition looks set to be one of the fiercest competitions yet.

FAQ

When are the Thunderpick World Championship 2025 Finals?

The finals will take place in Malta from October 15–19, 2025.

What is the prize pool for TWC 2025?

The tournament has a $1 million total prize pool, with $850,000 allocated for the finals stage.

Which teams are competing in TWC 2025?

A total of 20 teams will play, including The MongolZ, NAVI, Aurora, FURIA, NiP, BIG, ENCE, Imperial, 9z, OG, and more.

Where can fans watch the matches?

All games will be streamed live on Twitch, with production support from Hotspawn.

Who are the defending champions?

The MongolZ return as the reigning Thunderpick World Champions after winning the 2024 edition.