CS2 Legend s1mple Announces Return to Training for Upcoming Competitive Season
CS2 Legend s1mple Announces Return to Training for Upcoming Competitive Season
Ukrainian Counter‑Strike superstar Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev has publicly stated that he is beginning to ramp up his training for the next competitive season of Counter‑Strike 2 (CS2), sharing details of his plans to stream practice sessions and regain competitive form. The announcement comes amid an offseason marked by significant changes in his team and his recent playing activity.
“Starting tomorrow, I begin getting into shape for the next season,” s1mple wrote on his official Telegram channel, also scheduling a series of livestreamed sessions where he intends to practice in front of fans. His first streams were slated to begin December 22, 2025, running from roughly mid‑afternoon to early evening (15:00–19:00 CET).
This public declaration marks one of the clearest indications yet that the CS2 legend is preparing for a return to regular competitive play after a long period of reduced visibility in the professional scene.
Background: s1mple’s Recent Competitive Inactivity and Team Situation
Oleksandr s1mple Kostyliev is widely recognized as one of the greatest Counter‑Strike players of all time, with a career that dates back to 2013. He rose to global prominence during his tenure with Natus Vincere (NaVi), where he won multiple accolades including the Major title at Stockholm 2021 and three HLTV Player of the Year awards (2018, 2021, and 2022).
However, his recent journey in CS2 has been marked by intermittent activity and organizational changes. After being benched by NaVi in October 2023, s1mple’s competitive appearances became sporadic. In 2024 he appeared briefly as a stand‑in for Team Falcons on two occasions while on loan, but these stints did not lead to full roster spots.
In 2025, s1mple moved to BC.Game Esports, where he currently holds the role of AWPer according to his team roster status.
Earlier this year, s1mple confirmed in an interview that he had not been consistently training in CS2 for some time, citing personal commitments such as moving residence as one reason. During that period, he acknowledged training inconsistently and explained that he was not participating in full competitive preparation.
What s1mple’s Training Announcement Means
s1mple’s announcement represents a strategic shift toward rebuilding his competitive sharpness. After a period of reduced practice and competition — which saw him last active on FACEIT in early December, with a reported 3,485 ELO skill rating shortly before his announcement — he is now publicly committing to a structured training schedule.
The decision to stream these practice sessions also reflects a trend among top esports professionals to engage directly with their fanbase while training. Streaming provides both audience engagement and an accountability mechanism for personal improvement, and s1mple’s streams have historically drawn large viewership when they occur.
While he did not specify whether these sessions would be solo practice, team scrims, or participation on FACEIT/CEVO ladders, the announcement signals that he intends to maximize visible training time. Broadcasting from December 22 through December 24 suggested at least three consecutive days of broadcasted practice.
Team Changes at BC.Game Esports
s1mple’s own team, BC.Game Esports, has experienced notable roster turnover in recent weeks. Two players — rifler Alexander “CacaNito” Kyulukoski and captain Nemanja “nexa” Isakovich — have departed the roster alongside coach Luka “emi” Vuković. Reports from noted CS2 analyst James “BanKs” Banks indicate that internal disagreements and communication issues at bootcamp led to the exits.
These departures leave BC.Game in a transitional phase, with s1mple as one of the remaining core members. The reshuffling might partially explain s1mple’s renewed emphasis on practice, as he prepares both personally and potentially with a new roster once teammates are finalized.
Community Reaction and Competitive Implications
The CS2 community has responded with considerable interest to s1mple’s announcement, reflecting both his enduring popularity and the speculation over his competitive future. Fans have long debated whether s1mple would fully return to tier‑one competition — particularly on a top organization — or instead maintain a high‑profile streaming presence while competing selectively.
Historically, s1mple’s level of play has been dominant. During his peak years, he regularly topped HLTV rankings and defined performance standards for AWPer gameplay. His decision to publicly outline a training regimen hints at serious intentions to reclaim a leading competitive position at the start of the 2026 season.
If successful, his return to full competitive form could have wider implications for the CS2 landscape. His presence in top‑tier events — especially Majors and premier LAN tournaments — would instantly elevate viewership and competitive dynamics. Whether this training period transitions into strong results on LAN remains to be seen as the new season approaches.
Looking Ahead
With CS2’s competitive calendar preparing to resume in early 2026, s1mple’s streamed practice sessions mark the beginning of what could be a sustained comeback effort. Whether he integrates with a stable roster in BC.Game Esports, attracts attention from other top tier organizations, or continues a hybrid career of streaming and competition, the esports community will be watching closely.
As training begins and the upcoming competitive cycle draws near, s1mple’s journey — from CS:GO legend to a renewed CS2 contender — remains one of the most compelling narratives in modern esports.
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