The post Valve Drops 2025 CS2 Rankings – Shocks, Surprises, and Invites appeared first on TalkEsport.
]]>The rankings not only prioritize individual performance but also enforce strict organizational rules. Only one team per organization is allowed to attend a single event. For example, FURIA and FURIA fe cannot both compete in the same tournament. Similarly, HEROIC lost their position to Falcons after player transfers earlier this year.
Also Read: Valve Expands CS2 Majors to 32 Teams
If any team declines an invitation, the next highest-ranked team automatically receives the spot, ensuring fairness and competitive integrity in the selection process.
Valve’s 2025 Ranking Update has already sparked excitement among fans and analysts. With high-stakes tournaments around the corner, teams will aim to solidify their rankings and prepare for intense battles on the global stage.
Stay tuned for further updates and announcements as the esports landscape continues to evolve in 2025!
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]]>The post BGIS 2025 Format Explained: Complete Details appeared first on TalkEsport.
]]>BGIS 2025 follows a multi-stage format, ensuring a competitive pathway for both amateur and professional teams. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
A qualifying round featuring 64 invited pro teams. Divided into 4 groups, each group plays 24 matches:
Week 1 (March 29 – April 1)
Week 2 (April 3 – 6)
The final stage in Kolkata will feature the top 16 teams battling across 18 matches to win the BGIS 2025 title and the lion’s share of the ₹2 crore prize pool.
The BGIS 2025 tournament is designed to showcase the best BGMI talent in India, providing aspiring gamers a chance to shine on the big stage. Make sure to register and start preparing for one of the biggest esports events of the year!
Stay ahead in the world of esports with the TalkEsport app! Download now to get instant access to the latest news, live points tables, comprehensive esports calendars, and live streams of your favorite tournaments. Don’t miss out—get the app today
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]]>The post Valve Expands CS2 Majors to 32 Teams appeared first on TalkEsport.
]]>With the addition of this new stage, CS Majors will now run approximately four days longer than before. The expanded format ensures a more competitive platform, providing ample opportunities for teams to advance.
Replacing the previous RMR system, Valve introduced Major Regional Qualifiers (MRQ) to determine team eligibility. Key details include:
From the MRQs:
Further, regions earn direct invites based on past performance. For example, Europe secured 6 Stage 3 slots due to strong performances in previous tournaments, while Americas and Asia earned 1 slot each.
For the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, slot allocation will follow the VRS rankings:
This format overhaul aims to enhance competitiveness, fairness, and global representation in CS Majors. The BLAST.tv Austin Major will mark the debut of this expanded format, promising intense action and thrilling matches for Counter-Strike fans worldwide.
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]]>The post VCT 2025 China Kickoff: Schedule, Format, and Teams Revealed appeared first on TalkEsport.
]]>The competition follows a double-elimination bracket format:
The tournament runs from January 11 to January 25, 2025.
Upper Bracket Matches:
Lower Bracket Matches:
Grand Final:
A total of 12 teams will compete, including established favorites and rising challengers.
The VCT 2025 China Kickoff promises intense matches and fierce competition as teams vie for international representation. Fans can expect surprises, rivalries, and new talents to emerge in this exciting start to the season.
Stay updated with match schedules and results as China’s top Valorant teams clash for glory!
Also Read: Esports Event Calendar 2025 | Biggest Tournaments & Dates
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]]>The post Valve Lifts CS2 Ban on Steel After a Decade appeared first on TalkEsport.
]]>The story dates back to 2014, during Season 5 of the CEVO Professional League. Steel, along with his teammates from iBUYPOWER, was embroiled in a match-fixing scandal that rocked the esports community.
Despite being strong favorites to win, iBUYPOWER intentionally lost to Netcodeguides.com. Investigations revealed that players had placed bets against themselves, profiting significantly from the fixed outcome.
Key Players Involved:
The aftermath resulted in lifetime bans for those involved, except for Tyler “Skadoodle” Latham, who was found uninvolved.
Initially, the bans were viewed as permanent. However, growing debates about fairness led to adjustments in the rules. By 2017, major tournament organizers like ESL and DreamHack eased restrictions, enabling banned players to participate in non-Valve-sponsored events.
Despite the changes, steel and others were still excluded from major Valve tournaments—the pinnacle of Counter-Strike competition. This limitation pushed steel to explore new horizons, including a transition to Valorant in 2020, where he enjoyed consistent success.
As of January 29, 2025, Valve has officially lifted steel’s ban, granting him eligibility to compete in CS2 tournaments. This decision paves the way for steel—and potentially other banned players—to reclaim their spots in the Counter-Strike scene.
Steel has expressed enthusiasm about returning to Counter-Strike if the right opportunity arises. In a recent interview, he hinted at his willingness to join competitive CS2, provided he finds the right team and platform to showcase his skills.
Given his success in Valorant, however, fans are curious whether steel will split his focus between both games or commit entirely to one. Either way, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for his career.
Steel’s return highlights the evolving landscape of esports and Valve’s willingness to revisit past decisions. His story serves as a reminder of redemption and second chances, not just for him but for others impacted by similar controversies.
With the ban officially lifted, the spotlight is back on steel. Fans eagerly await announcements about his next move—whether it’s dominating CS2 tournaments, continuing his Valorant journey, or possibly balancing both.
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]]>The post Esports Event Calendar 2025 | Biggest Tournaments & Dates appeared first on TalkEsport.
]]>January includes tournaments for shooters, battle royales, and strategy games.
February offers competitive tournaments with significant prize pools.
March highlights key tournaments for racing and strategy fans.
April:
May:
June:
July:
September:
October:
August stands out with the Esports World Cup, featuring all major games and a $60 million prize pool.
Looking at the Esports Event Calendar 2025, it is clear that 2025 will deliver exciting tournaments and multimillion-dollar prize pools. From VALORANT Masters to BGMI esports and the BGMI tournament, fans can look forward to intense matches and BGMI live streams. Stay updated as more events and schedules are announced throughout the year.
Stay ahead in the world of esports with the TalkEsport app! Download now to get instant access to the latest news, live points tables, comprehensive esports calendars, and live streams of your favorite tournaments. Don’t miss out—get the app today
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]]>The post Free Fire World Series (FFWS) Thailand 2025 Spring: All You Need To Know appeared first on TalkEsport.
]]>The qualifiers will take place from January 18 to January 27, 2025. The Grand Finals will follow from January 28 to January 31, 2025.
Matches will use a 12-point scoring system, rewarding teams for performance consistency. The winner will advance to the FFWS 2025 SEA Spring.
The total prize pool for the event is $14,468.
Garena has set clear rules to ensure fairness:
Points are awarded based on match results:
This system encourages survival and strategic planning.
Team All Gamers has already earned a spot through the FFWS SEA 2024. New teams will aim to challenge them and claim the title.
The FFWS 2025 Spring offers teams a chance to secure early victories and build momentum for the year. Fans can expect intense matches as Southeast Asia’s top teams face off.
The Free Fire World Series Thailand 2025 Spring promises exciting battles and significant rewards. Teams will test their skills, aiming for a spot in the SEA Spring event.
Further details on match schedules and maps will be released soon.
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]]>The post BGMI 2025 Esports Roadmap Announced appeared first on TalkEsport.
]]>The year kicks off with the BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA SERIES (BGIS) 2025, opening registrations on January 3rd, 2025. The tournament features a prize pool of INR 2 Crores and will give aspiring players a chance to make their mark in the Esports ecosystem. This season, KRAFTON India will host the prestigious BGIS LAN Finals in the City of Joy – Kolkata – in April, furthering its efforts to bring Esports experiences to audiences across the country.
Following BGIS, KRAFTON will launch the BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA PRO SERIES (BMPS) 2025. This invite-only tournament will feature the country’s top professional teams, also competing for a prize pool of INR 2 Crores.
In addition to flagship tournaments, KRAFTON also announced Rising Star, a dedicated program aimed at nurturing upcoming Esports players and content creators. The program will offer focused mentorship to enhance live streaming, build social media content strategies, and strengthen personal branding for aspiring Esports talent. Further details about the program will be unveiled soon.
KRAFTON will continue its popular Esports College Campus Tour in 2025, expanding to more colleges nationwide. With a total prize pool of over INR 2 crore, each host college receives over INR 2 lakh. The tour has already engaged students at premier institutions like IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, and K.J. Somaiya College of Engineering.
Karan Pathak, Associate Director of Esports at KRAFTON India, said, “We are thrilled to unveil the 2025 roadmap for KRAFTON India Esports as we continue our mission to foster the growth of Esports in India. Alongside our flagship events, we are strengthening community engagement through initiatives like the Esports College Campus Tour, which will expand to even more colleges across the country. Our Rising Star program represents a pivotal step in spotlighting upcoming Esports talent in the country and providing them the necessary tools to make a mark in the industry. By empowering and nurturing the next generation of players and creators, we are laying the foundation for a dynamic and sustainable ecosystem that will drive the industry forward for years to come.”
Players and tournament organizers can register for tournaments and participate in upcoming KRAFTON Esports events through the newly revamped KRAFTON India Esports website from January 3rd.
For more information about upcoming tournaments, stay tuned to KRAFTON India Esports Website, Instagram and YouTube channels.
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]]>The post Valorant Pro “Benjyfishy” Warned for Betting on Worlds Final appeared first on TalkEsport.
]]>British esports star Benjy ‘benjyfishy’ Fish bet €200 on T1 to defeat BLG in the grand final of the League of Legends Worlds at the O2 Arena in London. His prediction was correct, netting him €100. However, his actions contravened Riot’s Code of Conduct, specifically Section 3.15, which prohibits esports professionals from betting on any game or competition governed by Riot Games, even if it’s outside their discipline.
Benjyfishy promptly realized his error and self-reported the incident to his team, which escalated the matter to Riot Games. As a result, he received an official warning, and his team, Team Heretics, was fined.
Riot Games considered several mitigating factors in their decision. According to their statement:
Riot emphasized the importance of the rule, stating, “These factors reflect Benjyfishy’s accountability and his understanding of the seriousness of the rules he breached.”
Niklas Geiß, General Manager for Team Heretics’ Valorant division, defended Benjyfishy, calling his actions “a fan mistake” rather than one of malicious intent. Geiß highlighted the team’s quick response to the situation, ensuring transparency with Riot Games.
“Benjy realized his mistake immediately and reached out to me. Within the same hour, we notified Riot,” said Geiß. “The fine is understandable, but Benjy’s cooperation and remorse should also be acknowledged.”
Addressing the controversy on Twitch and Twitter, Benjyfishy expressed regret, explaining he momentarily forgot about the rule while caught up in his excitement as a T1 fan. “I’m not blaming Riot. This rule exists for a reason,” he said. “I self-reported because I value my career and integrity. I’m just an idiot who made a fan mistake.”
This incident has reignited conversations about the importance of educating players on esports regulations. Team Heretics has urged Riot to increase awareness among players, especially regarding cross-esport betting rules.
Benjyfishy’s betting incident highlights the evolving challenges in maintaining esports integrity. While his accountability and Riot’s balanced response have resolved the immediate issue, the incident underscores the need for greater education to prevent similar occurrences in the future. As esports continues to grow, fostering a culture of compliance and awareness is critical to its sustainability and professionalism.
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]]>The post VALORANT VCT China Partner Teams 2024: Full Team List appeared first on TalkEsport.
]]>Shanghai-based Edward Gaming (EDG) leads the VALORANT VCT China league. Known for winning the 2021 League of Legends World Championship, EDG claimed the VALORANT Champions 2024 title, solidifying its reputation as China’s most successful VALORANT team.
Backed by video platform giant Bilibili.com, Bilibili Gaming (BLG) has built a strong VALORANT presence. A consistent performer, BLG secured top positions in the League of Legends Worlds and other international events.
FunPlus Phoenix (FPX), with roots in League of Legends and Counter-Strike, entered the VCT China league as a formidable force. While falling short in domestic titles, FPX qualified for every 2024 international event.
Primarily known for CrossFire championships, All Gamers brings experience but faces challenges in VALORANT. Despite mid-table finishes, its legacy in Chinese esports keeps it in the spotlight.
Renowned in the PUBG Mobile scene, Titan Esports Club struggled in its VALORANT debut, placing lower in the league standings.
With a long history in FPS esports, TYLOO’s entry into VALORANT has been steady, though the team hasn’t made significant waves internationally.
A leader in mobile esports, Nova Esports transitioned into VALORANT. Despite moderate success domestically, the team has yet to secure an international spot.
Owned by e-commerce giant JD.com, JD Gaming extended its dominance from League of Legends to VALORANT but remains a work in progress in its debut season.
Trace Esports, previously active in Wild Rift, made its mark by reaching the VALORANT Champions quarter-finals in 2024, showcasing its growing potential.
Owned by Premier League’s Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wolves Esports ventures into VALORANT with mixed results but aims to build a stronger foothold.
The VALORANT VCT China 2024 introduces a rich mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars. With powerhouse teams like Edward Gaming and Bilibili Gaming, alongside emerging contenders, the league is set to redefine competitive VALORANT in China and beyond. Stay tuned as these teams battle for glory on the global stage.
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