Spirit Academy Reveal Their 2026 CS2 Roster
Spirit Academy Reveal Their 2026 CS2 Roster
Updated and contextualized report with broader academy scene insights
The Russian-based Team Spirit Academy have officially announced their 2026 Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) lineup, marking a fresh chapter for the organization’s renowned talent development system. The new roster features a mix of promising young individuals and familiar faces — assembled under the guidance of longtime academy coach Dmitry “S0tF1k” Forostyanko — whose role has been pivotal in grooming Tier-1 prospects within the Spirit ecosystem.
After the departure of several standout performers in 2025, including graduates who transitioned into the professional ranks, Spirit Academy’s updated lineup brings renewed focus to emerging talent and the club’s broader development philosophy.
🔹 The New Core Lineup
Spirit’s announced primary roster features five players who will carry the team through upcoming events in 2026:
-
Vitaly “VILBy” Zakharyuta — In-game leader
-
Volodymyr “mazay” Iorhachov — Rifler, returning to the lineup
-
Kirill “Kiryasoo” Solovkov — AWPer, retained from prior seasons
-
Yury “kidofpain” Sokal — Rifle role, promoted from academy Black
-
Nikita “s1nside” Besedin — New addition yet to appear on HLTV
Behind them, S0tF1k continues as head coach — a figure credited with strengthening Spirit’s academy infrastructure and mentoring players that have since progressed toward top-tier competition.
🔹 A Mix of Experience and Fresh Talent
✦ VILBy (IGL):
A strategic leader expected to organize Spirit Academy’s tactical identity in 2026. His experience playing with Chimera in LanDaLan events lends maturity to the lineup, helping bridge experience between younger teammates.
✦ Mazay’s Return:
One of the headline stories around the new roster is Volodymyr “mazay” Iorhachov’s comeback. He briefly featured in the academy’s first-team action during summer 2025, playing 29 maps before needing to step back due to academic commitments in Germany. His return signals both his dedication to competitive CS2 and the organisation’s belief in his long-term upside.
✦ Youth Champions in the Making:
Players like Kiryasoo, kidofpain, and s1nside represent Spirit Academy’s commitment to discovering and upgrading new prospects. While Kiryasoo retained his spot from last season, the promotions of kidofpain and s1nside reflect growth within Spirit’s extended structure — where internal competition between different academy squads (such as Spirit Academy Black) prepares individuals for higher responsibilities.
🔹 Graduates and Departed Prospects
Spirit Academy’s 2026 rebuild follows the graduation of notable academy talents in 2025:
-
Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin — transitioned to the Falcons main roster and has since been highlighted as one of the standout CS2 prospects, performing with strong ratings before his move.
-
Alimzhan “Alkaren” Bitimbay and Daniel “syph0” Ageyev — other academy products who moved on in 2025, now continuing their professional journeys elsewhere.
These departures are part of Spirit Academy’s core mission: funneling the best talent upward into competitive CS2 careers. The departure of kyousuke, for example, was a widely watched development — even causing Falcons to bench veteran Emil “Magisk” Reif in favor of the youngster’s rising stock.
🔹 Context: Spirit’s Growing Academy System
This roster announcement sits within a broader strategic expansion of Spirit’s CS2 academy system over recent years — one that mirrors structures seen in traditional sports such as soccer. In 2025, Spirit unveiled plans to launch multiple youth teams — including under-12, under-14, and under-16 squads — positioning themselves as one of the most ambitious youth development programs in CS2 esports.
Spirit’s academy model has historically helped produce talent who progress to professional competition: for instance, early stars like Danil “donk” Kryshkovets, who entered FACEIT’s FPL at a very young age and served as proof of the Academy’s ability to fast-track elite performers.
🔹 Strategic Goals and Competitive Outlook
With the 2026 roster now fully assembled, Spirit Academy will look to compete in regional events and serve as a stepping stone for talent aiming to join Tier-1 teams. The Academy’s reload reflects both a response to graduating talent and a renewed push to cultivate new stars from within.
How this lineup will fare in the constantly evolving CS2 competitive landscape remains to be seen, but the blend of returning prospects and newly promoted players suggests Spirit is focused on long-term growth, internal competition, and sustained production of future professionals.
Related News
