PGL reduces 2028 Counter-Strike 2 calendar to six events
PGL has confirmed a revised 2028 Counter-Strike 2 calendar, cutting its planned events from eight to six while maintaining an $11 million annual investment across the season.
PGL has confirmed six Counter-Strike 2 events for 2028. The new plan carries a combined investment of $11 million for the year, down from an originally announced eight-tournament schedule. All six event dates are now locked in, with the season beginning in January 2028 and concluding in October.
Details of the revised tournament schedule
The six events are spaced across the year. Four will take place in the first half, with a four-month gap before the final two tournaments in late summer and autumn.
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Event #1 | January 14-24, 2028 |
| Event #2 | February 9-21, 2028 |
| Event #3 | March 23, April 3, 2028 |
| Event #4 | April 19, May 1, 2028 |
| Event #5 | August 31, September 11, 2028 |
| Event #6 | October 4-16, 2028 |
The last event ends on October 16, 2028.
Changes from the original eight-event plan
PGL originally announced eight Tier 1 events for 2028. Two tournament windows have been removed from that schedule. The previously planned events for August 16-28 and November 1-13, 2028, are no longer included. The August window had coincided with the period traditionally used for the CS Asia Championships. No specific explanation was given for the removal of the two events.
Investment and funding breakdown for the 2028 season
The six-event program is backed by a confirmed $11 million annual investment. This follows PGL's earlier announcement of at least $22 million in funding across the 2027 and 2028 seasons, which works out to at least $11 million per year. The funding is allocated across several areas.
A total of $6 million is directed to teams and players based on competitive results. This includes $3 million in direct player prize money and $3 million allocated to clubs. An additional $2.2 million is set aside as a VRS invite bonus, paid to the top five VRS-ranked teams that accept their invitations. This bonus is structured as $400,000 for four events per year and $300,000 for the remaining two events. A further $2.8 million is designated as a viewership incentive. Each individual event will feature a $1 million prize pool.
Context and implications for the 2028 CS2 landscape
These 2028 events fall under the PGL Tier 1 program for CS2. The announcement confirms PGL still plans a significant presence in the 2028 competitive calendar despite the reduction. The calendar will operate alongside events from other Tier 1 organizers like BLAST, ESL, and FISSURE. Current schedules show several periods where PGL tournaments sit close to or overlap with those from other organizers. Further details on the events are yet to be shared.
