Stake and StarLadder Announce Complete 2026 Roadmap: Six Episodes of Stake Ranked Coming to Europe

Stake, the global leading betting platform, and StarLadder are thrilled to announce the complete 2026 roadmap for Stake Ranked, the premiere Counter-Strike 2 Tier 2 LAN tournament circuit. Following the successful launch of Episode 1 in April, the partnership will deliver five additional episodes (Episodes 2-6) throughout 2026, solidifying Europe as the foundation for this ambitious competitive series. StarLadder, with over 20 years of tournament production expertise, will organize and produce all events.

2026 Tournament Schedule (LAN Events)

• Episode 1 - April 1–4, 2026 (Finished)
• Episode 2 - May 27–30, 2026 (Ongoing)
• Episode 3 - July 15–18, 2026
• Episode 4 - October 1–4, 2026
• Episode 5 - October 27–30, 2026 
• Episode 6 - November 17–20, 2026 
*Qualification dates for Episodes 3-6 will be announced separately

Stake Ranked Episode 2: Full Competitive Framework

The next chapter of Stake Ranked begins with Episode 2, scheduled for May 27–30, 2026. The tournament maintains the proven Tier 2 structure with a $100,000 prize pool and will be held at a venue in the Schengen region. Like Episode 1, invitations will be based on the Global Valve Regional Standings (VRS), starting from the 13th rank.
Qualification Structure:
• Open Qualifier (April 21–22, 2026): FACEIT platform, unlimited team participation, Single Elimination format, 2 teams advance to Closed Qualifier
• Closed Qualifier (April 29 – May 3, 2026): 16 teams competing (14 via VRS invites, 2 from Open Qualifier), Single Elimination Bo3, 2 teams advance to Main Event
• Main Event LAN (May 27–30, 2026): 8 teams (6 direct VRS invites + 2 from Closed Qualifier), Double Elimination Bo3, full LAN experience in Schengen region

Invited teams:

6 teams have received direct invitations based on the Global Valve Regional Standings (VRS): 9z Team, HEROIC, Alliance, 3DMAX, FaZe Clan, and Ninjas in Pyjamas.

Prize Pool Distribution (All Episodes):

• 1st Place: $25,000
• 2nd Place: $17,500
• 3rd Place: $13,500
• 4th Place: $11,000
• 5th–6th Place: $9,000 each
• 7th–8th Place: $7,500 each
Total Prize Pool: $100,000

Key Information for Teams:

• Teams must meet all Valve eligibility requirements and comply with tournament integrity rules
• Players with active ESIC bans at the time of their scheduled matches will not be eligible to participate
• Detailed tournament rules and full qualification dates for Episode 3 will be announced in the coming weeks

About the Partnership

Stake Ranked is a strategic partnership between Stake, the world's leading iGaming platform, and StarLadder, one of the industry's most respected tournament organizers. Together, they are committed to elevating Tier 2 Counter-Strike 2 competition, offering professional conditions and meaningful prize pools to teams working to reach the highest levels of competitive play. The 2026 roadmap marks a significant expansion of this vision, with six premium events planned across Europe.

About Stake

Stake is the world's most popular online casino and sportsbook. Founded in 2017, Stake attracts over 80 million monthly visits, more than any other iGaming platform, and sees more than 100 billion bets a year. Stake is renowned for its innovation in crypto wagering as well as its growing expansion into regulated local-currency gaming markets in Italy, Denmark, and Latin America. It also boasts a roster of global sponsorships, including Canadian superstar Drake, the Stake F1 Team, Everton Football Club, and the UFC. For more information and press enquiries, please contact: [email protected]

About StarLadder

StarLadder is one of the leading esports tournament organizers in the world, with a legacy of producing top-tier events since 2001. With a global audience and a reputation for quality production and community engagement, StarLadder continues to shape the future of competitive gaming. From Major Championships to grassroots tournaments, StarLadder remains committed to advancing esports on a global scale.