CS2 in November 2025: The Ultimate Guide to Must-See Esports Tournaments

The month of November 2025 promises to be a major moment for all enthusiasts of CS2 and esports tournaments. Several exceptional competitions will follow one another, bringing together the world’s elite in intense and high-stakes confrontations. In this ultimate guide, you will discover the flagship events not to be missed, the favorite teams to follow, as well as the formats and prize pools that make the community vibrate. Here is what we will explore together:

• The detailed schedule of CS2 tournaments in November, with a clear presentation of dates and locations.
• The strategic and financial stakes driving these major competitions.
• A focus on the teams to watch and their recent performances.
• The women’s scene with the ESL Impact League final and its role in the evolution of esports.
• The role of secondary competitions and qualifiers preparing the future of teams.

Let’s dive without delay into this comprehensive overview of competitive tournaments in CS2, so you can fully experience this exceptional period.

Major CS2 tournaments in November 2025: a busy and thrilling esports calendar

November 2025 is undoubtedly one of the richest months in CS2 competitions of the year. The succession of S-Tier and A-Tier events offers fans a quality show, but also offers teams a real opportunity to collect decisive points for the global ranking. Pay special attention to these five major appointments:

1. Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Chengdu: November 3 to 9 — 16 elite teams compete for a $1 million prize pool, marking the triumphant return of esports to Asia after several difficult seasons. This LAN is also an opportunity for Vitality, NaVi, or FaZe to consolidate their positions on the ESL and HLTV circuits.
2. BLAST Rivals Fall: November 12 to 16 — Held in Hong Kong, this hybrid S-Tier/Wildcard tournament hosts 8 teams with a cash prize of $350,000 in a double elimination format highlighting strategy and endurance.
3. YaLLa Compass Dubai: November 19 to 23 — An S-Tier event bringing together 12 teams from various continents around a $600,000 prize pool, very representative of the rise of the Middle East in esports.
4. StarLadder Budapest Major: November 24 to December 14 — The highlight of the month, this Major in Swiss System format followed by playoffs brings together 32 teams for a record cash prize of $1.25 million. An unmissable event where dynasties and challengers fight for glory.
5. ESL Impact League Season 8: November 28 to 30 — In Stockholm, the women’s scene is spotlighted with eight teams competing for $123,000, concluding a season full of surprises and strategic evolution.

These competitions perfectly illustrate the diversity and vitality of the must-see esports scene in CS2 at the end of the year.

The economic and sporting dynamics of CS2 tournaments in November 2025

The financial and strategic weight of esports tournaments in November 2025 on CS2 is massive. With several S-Tier events totaling more than $3 million in cash prizes, these competitions attract not only the elite players but also increasingly present sponsors and investors in this sector.

The distribution of prize pools gives a clear idea of the importance of the different tournaments:

Tournament	Dates	Location	Cash Prize (in $)	Number of Teams	Format
Intel Extreme Masters Chengdu	Nov. 3–9	China	1,000,000	16	LAN, single elimination
BLAST Rivals Fall	Nov. 12–16	Hong Kong	350,000	8	Double elimination
YaLLa Compass Dubai	Nov. 19–23	United Arab Emirates	600,000	12	Regional mix
StarLadder Budapest Major	Nov. 24–Dec. 14	Hungary	1,250,000	32	Swiss System + single elimination
ESL Impact League S8 (female)	Nov. 28–30	Sweden	123,000	8	LAN

Such a caliber of prize pools drives a high level of competition and significant stakes. Each victory is worth crucial points for the HLTV ranking, directly influencing access to the next World Finals.

It should also be noted that this period is strategic for signing new contracts and highlighting sponsors, whose presence is essential for the long-term sustainability of teams.

Must-watch esports teams in November 2025 on CS2

Autumn 2025 promises to be particularly exciting for French and international fans thanks to the presence of renowned teams and challengers ready to shake up the hierarchy. Here is an overview of the teams that shine and often dominate the circuit:

• Team Vitality: Record in hand with 8 tournaments won this year, Vitality aims for a 9th title to enter even more into legend. Their solid roster and consistent performances in S-Tier events and Majors make them the favorites in Boston.
• Natus Vincere (NaVi): With an aggressive style and innovative strategies, NaVi continues to impress. Their preparation for IEM Chengdu will be analyzed in detail.
• G2 Esports: Always present in the world top, G2 has an interesting mix of experience and youth, crucial during the StarLadder Budapest Major.
• FaZe Clan: Their fighting spirit is second only to their international popularity. Their solid roster for late 2025 promises many epic confrontations.
• Emerging teams: Monte, Spirit, or the Chinese outsiders in Chengdu are the formations to watch for surprises and upsets.

Strategy, team composition, and LAN stress management will be decisive factors in these months full of stakes. Each match could be both a step towards Major qualification and a decisive moment to establish a reputation.

The development of the women’s scene and the importance of ESL Impact League S8

At the heart of the last week of November 2025, the ESL Impact League Season 8 final stands out as a flagship event for the women’s CS2 scene. This tournament, although more modest in terms of cash prize, is a powerful indicator of the constant progress of women’s teams.

Eight teams in Stockholm will present increasingly high-level strategies and gameplay, bearing witness to foundational work carried out over several seasons. The growing visibility of this female circuit attracts not only new audiences but also sponsors attentive to this diversification.

The example of formations such as Guild Esports Women or CLG Red, which have shown steady growth in recent years, clearly shows that this scene is becoming more and more competitive and professionally managed.

Enriching the esports calendar with inclusive competitions also helps renew the overall interest in video games, offering varied models of success and energizing the community more broadly.

The ESL Impact League thus represents a true strategic laboratory for women’s teams, with adaptations specific to market and spectator expectations. For them, following this competition is as much a discovery as it is confirmation of a lasting rise of the CS2 women’s scene.

Qualifiers, regional leagues, and opportunities for outsiders in November 2025

Aside from the S-Tier tournaments, November will also be a pivotal period for many A, B, and C rank competitions worldwide. These events are the breeding ground for future stars and an essential gateway for teams seeking recognition.

Qualifiers for upcoming Majors represent a major stake: they allow unranked teams direct access to the international scene, while offering intense matches and sometimes memorable upsets.

We are also witnessing a proliferation of regional leagues, notably in Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, which provide an outlet for still little-known talents. These leagues are often supported by local streaming platforms that enable better visibility for players and organizers.

This network of secondary events ideally complements the esports calendar for the month, making November a balancing period between established stars and promising young talents. Every victory in these competitions can change a team’s destiny and open perspectives on the international circuit.

Furthermore, these smaller tournaments contribute to the economic stability of emerging teams, often facing financial challenges, and offer an interesting alternative to major stages while maintaining a high level of requirement.