StarLadder and Stake Unveil “Stake Ranked” — A New Tier-2 CS2 Esports Circuit

StarLadder and Stake Unveil “Stake Ranked” — A New Tier-2 CS2 Esports Circuit

StarLadder has announced a strategic partnership with online betting and casino operator Stake to launch a new Tier-2 competitive Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) circuit called Stake Ranked, scheduled to run throughout 2026. The initiative is aimed at bridging the gap between open competition and top-tier professional competition by offering structured regional events with meaningful opportunities for rising teams. 

The Stake Ranked series represents a notable evolution in how mid-level CS2 competition is organized. While the highest-profile tournaments — such as Valve-backed Major Championships — attract global attention and elite teams, the space for well-organized Tier-2 LAN events has been comparatively limited. With Stake Ranked, StarLadder intends to fill that gap by hosting a circuit of six events across Europe in 2026, with plans to expand into regions such as the Americas and Asia over time. 

Format and Structure of Stake Ranked

Each event in the Stake Ranked circuit begins with open qualifiers, which are accessible to a wide range of teams. The first open qualifier is set for February 21–22, 2026, with two teams advancing to the online closed qualifier (CQ). The CQ features 16 teams, a mix of invited squads and qualifiers, competing for a spot in the LAN Finals. 

The qualification process heavily relies on the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) — the official ranking system used across CS2 to determine invites and placements for many tiered events. Under the plan for 2026, six teams receive direct invitations to each Stake Ranked event based on their VRS ranking, while two additional teams qualify through the closed qualifier. 

The LAN Finals of each event host eight teams battling for a $100,000 prize pool. Prize distribution is tiered, with first place earning $25,000, second $17,500, third $13,500, and smaller allocations down to eighth place. 

So far, StarLadder has revealed the first two scheduled events:

• Stake Ranked Ep. 1: April 1–4, 2026

• Stake Ranked Ep. 2: May 27–30, 2026

Both events will be held as LAN tournaments in European capital cities, with exact venues and city details to be announced at a later date. 

Why Stake Ranked Matters

StarLadder is no stranger to high-profile esports events. In late 2025, it organized the StarLadder Budapest Major, one of CS2’s most prestigious tournaments, featuring 32 of the world’s best teams and a prize pool of $1.25 million. That Major also marked the first time a CS2 Major’s grand final was played as a best-of-five series, underscoring StarLadder’s role in evolving professional competition formats. 

With Stake Ranked, StarLadder is shifting focus toward competitive opportunities below the top tier, giving emerging teams a clearer pathway to improve, earn rankings, and potentially break into higher-level events over the course of a season. This is crucial in a competitive field where many organizations, including new entrants like 100 Thieves, are building rosters from scratch and looking to secure VRS points and recognition. 

Stake’s involvement reflects a broader trend in esports sponsorship. The platform has been expanding its footprint in the Counter-Strike space, having signed a multi-year partnership with Team Vitality in 2025 and joined the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) as an anti-corruption partner to help ensure competition integrity.

Community Reaction and Industry Context

Reactions within the CS community — especially on forums like HLTV.org — have been mixed. Some fans have welcomed the additional competition for Tier-2 teams, noting that more structured events create content and competitive consistency for teams outside the absolute top tier. Others have expressed skepticism about the role of gambling operators in sponsorships, though many also recognize that betting partnerships have long played a role in esports funding and sustainability. 

The creation of a Tier-2 circuit complements the existing ecosystem, which includes high-profile S-Tier events such as BLAST Premier, ESL, and Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) events, as well as the official Majors backed by Valve. The CS2 tournament landscape continues to grow more structured, offering clear pathways from regional play all the way to the highest global stages. 

Looking Ahead

As CS2 enters its third competitive year, the scene is becoming more stratified, with a defined competitive ladder from open qualifiers to Major appearances. StarLadder’s Stake Ranked circuit represents an  step in this progression, creating more opportunities for teams to develop and compete in meaningful events with real stakes. With six events planned for 2026, many teams will be watching closely to see who emerges as the standout contenders and how the broader CS2 ecosystem evolves.