Counter-Strike Majors represent the pinnacle of competitive CS play, hosting 20 events from 2013 to 2023. While their prize pools may be smaller than League of Legends World Championship or Dota 2's International, these events remain highly prestigious due to their rich history and cultural significance.

Major events drive the esports economy through sponsorships, merchandise sales, and ticket revenue, supporting teams, players, and the broader competitive ecosystem. They serve as platforms for professional players to showcase skills and secure career-changing opportunities.

Stickers, introduced at 2014 Katowice Major, have become crucial to the game's economy:

• 50% revenue split between players/teams and Valve
• Limited edition collections drive collector value
• Rare stickers (like Titan Holo) become valuable assets
• Secondary market thrives on Steam and third-party platforms
• Team performance influences sticker values

Major Tournament History Highlights:

CS:GO Era (2013-2023):

• First Major: DreamHack Winter 2013 (Fnatic)
• Prize pools evolved from $250,000 to $2,000,000
• Team participation expanded from 16 to 24 teams in 2018
• Regional Major Rankings (RMR) system introduced in 2020
• Notable champions: Fnatic, Astralis, Natus Vincere

CS2 Era (2024-Present):

• First Major: PGL Copenhagen 2024 (Natus Vincere)
• Planned expansion to 32 teams in 2025
• Prize pool standardized at $1,250,000

Iconic Moments:

• NiP's 87-0 winning streak (2012-2013)
• s1mple's journey to Major victory (Stockholm 2021)
• Astralis' era of dominance (2018-2020)
• Legendary plays: olofmeister's burning defuse, coldzera's jumping AWP

Majors continue to define Counter-Strike's competitive landscape, creating unforgettable moments and driving the game's evolution through tactical innovation and player excellence.

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