The Counter-Strike Major tournaments have defined competitive gaming since 2013, pitting the world’s best teams against each other across Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and now CS2. As the 21st Major unfolds in Shanghai, let’s take a nostalgic journey through the champions who etched their names into history.
Fnatic
Champions of DreamHack Winter 2013, ESL One Katowice 2015, and ESL One Cologne 2015
Though Fnatic’s 0-3 exit in the Shanghai Major stunned fans, the Swedish powerhouse was once a team to beat. A decade ago, legends like Flusha, JW, and Pronax led Fnatic to an unprecedented three Major victories, with two consecutive wins. Remarkably, KRIMZ, a current Fnatic player, was part of their last two championships and has now participated in 17 Majors—an incredible feat.
Back then, the tournament format favored consistency, and Fnatic’s dominance was unmatched, even amidst fierce competition.
Virtus.pro
Champions of ESL One Katowice 2014
Virtus.pro delivered a historic performance on home soil, with Pasha Biceps and crew dropping just one map en route to glory. While the team’s triumph is often overshadowed by collectible stickers today, it marked a milestone for Polish Counter-Strike. Notably, Snax, a member of that winning roster, continues the fight in Shanghai, now with G2 Esports.
Ninjas in Pyjamas: An Era Cut Short
Champions of ESL One Cologne 2014
Despite their early dominance, the Ninjas in Pyjamas managed only one Major win—a bittersweet outcome for such a formidable lineup. Two members have since earned spots in the HLTV Hall of Fame, while Xizt transitioned to coaching, though his new team fell short of qualifying for Shanghai.
LDLC and EnVyUs
Team LDLC — DreamHack Winter 2014
France’s Counter-Strike scene came alive in 2014, with LDLC claiming a hard-fought victory at DreamHack Winter. Their triumph wasn’t without drama—an infamous controversy surrounding the Olofboost almost ended their run. Still, LDLC persevered, defeating Ninjas in Pyjamas in an unforgettable final.
Team EnVyUs — DreamHack Cluj-Napoca 2015
Building on LDLC’s success, EnVyUs brought French dominance back to the forefront in 2015. With players like kennyS and apEX, they secured another Major victory. The grand final featured an epic sniper duel between kennyS and GuardiaN, cementing the tournament’s legacy.
Brazilian Brilliance: Luminosity/SK Gaming
Champions of MLG Columbus 2016 and ESL One Cologne 2016
In 2016, Brazil took center stage with the unstoppable Coldzera leading Luminosity and SK Gaming to back-to-back victories. Coldzera’s legendary play on Mirage during MLG Columbus earned him immortalized graffiti and showcased Brazil’s dominance, with only Virtus.pro managing to steal a map in Cologne.
Astralis
Champions of ELEAGUE Atlanta 2017, FaceIT London 2018, IEM Katowice 2019, and Starladder Berlin 2019
Astralis rewrote Counter-Strike history with four Major titles and a level of gameplay unparalleled by any team. Featuring stars like Device, xyp9x, Glaive, and Dupreeh, they achieved milestones such as the Intel Grand Slam and three consecutive Major wins. Astralis’ innovative strategies and flawless execution earned them a legacy few can rival.
Gambit and Cloud9
Gambit — PGL Krakow 2017
Zeus’s redemption arc with Gambit was nothing short of magical. After being dropped by Na’Vi, he led Gambit to a Cinderella story victory in Krakow, highlighted by Dosia’s iconic grenade play.
Cloud9 — ELEAGUE Boston 2018
Cloud9 ended North America’s long wait for a Major title in dramatic fashion. Fueled by home-crowd energy, their grand final against FaZe Clan delivered one of the most thrilling matches ever, with the decider map becoming an instant classic.
Natus Vincere, FaZe Clan, Outsiders, and Team Vitality
Natus Vincere — PGL Stockholm 2021
After years of heartbreak, Na’Vi finally clinched a Major trophy in Stockholm, showcasing the dominance that carried them through the pandemic-hit era.
FaZe Clan — PGL Antwerp 2022
Superteams often struggle to live up to the hype, but in Antwerp, FaZe Clan finally delivered. Karrigan’s leadership and resilience paid off, solidifying his legacy as one of the game’s best in-game leaders.
Outsiders — IEM Rio 2022
Outsiders, led by Jame, defied the odds in Rio, capitalizing on the missteps of tournament favorites. While luck may have played a role, their skill and determination earned them the title.
Team Vitality — BLAST.tv Paris 2023
ZywOo, one of Counter-Strike’s brightest stars, guided Vitality to a triumphant win in the final CS:GO Major, marking the end of an era in style.
The CS2 Era: A New Chapter Begins
Natus Vincere — PGL Copenhagen 2024
As Counter-Strike transitioned to CS2, Na’Vi embraced change with an international roster and fresh strategies. Defying expectations, they claimed the first CS2 Major in Copenhagen, introducing a new wave of superstar players to the scene.
From Fnatic’s early dominance to Na’Vi’s resurgence in the CS2 era, Counter-Strike Majors have showcased extraordinary talent and unforgettable moments. As Shanghai unfolds, the legacy of these champions continues to inspire players and fans alike.
Natus Vincere are the champions of the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024
Finally, let’s take a look at the first major in the history of CS2. Natus Vincere decided not to rely on the individual skill of s1mple, who was temporarily out of action, and completely revamped their roster, making it international. Few people believed in Natus Vincere in Copenhagen, but they managed to win the tournament, and several players from the team gained superstar status.
