ASTRA Wants to Compete on the Men’s CS2 Scene — BIG EQUIPA IGL Eyes New Challenge After ESL Impact Shutdown

Mayline-Joy “ASTRA” Champliaud, in-game leader of BIG EQUIPA and HLTV Women’s Player of the Year, has publicly stated her ambition to test herself on the men’s Counter-Strike 2 scene, as the women’s ecosystem faces major structural changes following the suspension of ESL Impact.

ASTRA: “I Definitely Want to Challenge Myself on the Men’s Scene”

In a recent interview, ASTRA confirmed that BIG EQUIPA are entering a rebuild phase, but emphasized that her personal goals go beyond women’s competition.

“We are rebuilding the team, so we have to start from scratch again. But I definitely want to challenge myself on the men’s scene,” ASTRA said.

She explained that the motivation comes from wanting to play against stronger opposition, improve individually, and explore limits that have not yet been tested by female IGLs in Tier 1–3 CS2.

ASTRA also highlighted that her confidence comes from preparation and structure rather than raw mechanics alone, pointing to detailed opponent analysis and clearly defined roles as key strengths of her leadership style.

Context: ESL Impact Suspended After Season 8

ASTRA’s comments come at a pivotal moment for women’s Counter-Strike. ESL FACEIT Group recently confirmed that the ESL Impact circuit has been suspended after Season 8, citing an unsustainable economic model despite long-term investment.

The announcement effectively removed the main international pathway for women’s CS2 teams, forcing organizations and players to reconsider long-term plans — including possible transitions into the open circuit.

BIG EQUIPA Ended ESL Impact Era as Champions

Before the shutdown, BIG EQUIPA won ESL Impact Season 8 Finals, defeating MIBR Female 2–1 in Stockholm. The victory marked the final ESL Impact trophy and reinforced BIG EQUIPA’s status as the best women’s CS team of the season.

After the win, ASTRA described the moment as emotional and career-defining:

“It’s crazy. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better team.”

Teammate Emma “Emmsan” Mattsson echoed the sentiment, calling the title “what every girl playing Counter-Strike dreams of.”

HLTV Awards: ASTRA and BIG EQUIPA Recognized as the Best

At the HLTV Awards, BIG EQUIPA were named Women’s Team of the Year, while ASTRA received the Women’s Player of the Year award.

During the ceremony, players openly addressed the uncertainty surrounding the future of women’s CS2. Despite that, the message was clear: performance and results justify continued presence and investment in the scene.

BIG EQUIPA Roster Changes for 2026 (Confirmed)

Following the season, BIG officially announced roster updates:

aiM and sosya joined the lineup

kyossa retired from competitive Counter-Strike

vicu left to continue playing with the former Imperial Valkyries core

The organization reiterated its commitment to women’s Counter-Strike despite the broader ecosystem instability.

Why ASTRA’s Statement Matters for CS2

ASTRA’s desire to compete on the men’s CS2 scene reflects a wider trend:

The collapse of structured women’s circuits

Growing interest in open-ecosystem competition

Increased focus on individual development over segregated leagues

While ASTRA did not announce immediate plans to join a men’s roster, her comments position her as one of the first elite female IGLs openly targeting a transition challenge in Counter-Strike 2.