Thunderpick is putting $1,000,000 on the table — and it’s not just buying prestige. The crypto-backed platform’s third annual Counter-Strike 2 World Championship is shaping up to be one of the largest open events of the year, with a LAN final scheduled for Malta and a growing foothold in the pro CS2 scene.
Since its launch in 2023, the Thunderpick World Championship has quietly evolved from a niche tournament into a serious annual fixture. Backed by a seven-month season, global qualifiers, and a generous $1 million prize pool — the largest seen by a bookmaker in esports — the 2025 edition marks Thunderpick’s most ambitious effort yet.
The company has also committed to returning in 2026, signaling long-term intent to build an enduring circuit alongside the likes of BLAST and ESL.
This year’s season spans from April through October and began with open regional qualifiers across Europe, North America, and South America. The top teams will battle through group stages before heading to the LAN finals, once again hosted in Malta.
All matches will be broadcast live on Twitch, and the event is being produced in partnership with data firm GRID, as well as Dexerto and HLTV, with Hotspawn returning as the tournament’s presenting partner.
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Thunderpick World Championship 2025 Schedule
- TWC EU1: April 28 – May 7
- TWC NA1: May 8 – May 16
- TWC SA1: June 27 – July 2
- TWC SA2: July 8 – July 13
- TWC NA2: July 24 – August 1
- TWC EU2: August 5 – August 14
- Closed Qualifier: September 9 – September 11
- LAN Finals in Malta: October 15 – October 19
While CS2’s competitive calendar is already packed with events like IEM and BLAST Premier, Thunderpick is carving out its niche with an open, non-franchise format. That accessibility helped attract an impressive lineup in 2023 and 2024, including FaZe Clan (2023 Champions), Virtus.pro, MOUZ, Cloud9, Monte, Heroic, Complexity, and FURIA.
This year’s prize pool — $150,000 spread across regional stages and $850,000 reserved for the finals — isn’t just record-breaking for a bookmaker-sponsored event. It’s a clear escalation in Thunderpick’s bid to be seen not just as a platform, but as a legitimate tournament organizer.
Kelly Sanders, Thunderpick’s Head of Strategy, emphasized that the organization’s focus remains on delivering a top-notch experience for both players and fans. With the 2025 season in progress and preparations for 2026 already underway, she highlighted Thunderpick’s continued commitment to supporting and growing the CS2 competitive scene.
Whether Thunderpick becomes a true rival circuit or remains a high-profile outsider, its presence adds something meaningful to the CS2 scene: an open door. In an ecosystem trending toward exclusivity, Thunderpick’s model is a throwback with a lot at stake.
For fans, that means more to watch. For up-and-comers, it means more to fight for.
