Valve announces strict 2025 requirements for organizing Counter-Strike esports events, ending semi-franchised partner team model

Posted : 04 August 2023

Valve, the game developer behind Counter-Strike, has unveiled strict new requirements for organizing esports events in the game, which will take effect in 2025.

Under the new rules, tournament organizers will be prohibited from having any "unique business relationships or conflicts of interest" with the participating teams. This move seems to signal the end of the reigning semi-franchised partner team model that currently dominates the Counter-Strike esports scene.

In addition, all tournament invitations must be based on Valve's ranking system or through open qualifiers. Furthermore, organizers will be required to disclose and make public any compensation they provide to participating teams, including prize money and other revenue streams. This compensation must be based on objective criteria that can be inspected by the community.

Valve plans to implement these rules in 2025 to allow tournament organizers to fulfill their existing long-term commitments. The changes will undoubtedly bring a major overhaul to the Counter-Strike esports landscape.

Currently, much of the Counter-Strike esports calendar is dominated by two semi-franchised leagues: ESL Pro League and BLAST Premier. These leagues offer partnered teams permanent slots in their competitions for a fee, while non-partnered teams have a chance to compete through open qualifiers. However, these semi-franchised models may not align with Valve's new rules.

Both ESL and BLAST have responded to Valve's announcement. ESL is already working on adjustments to its events to align with Valve's vision, shifting its tournament revenue-sharing model to include all participating teams starting in 2025. BLAST, on the other hand, stated that it will communicate its plans as BLAST Premier 2023 concludes and it prepares for 2024 and 2025, ensuring it remains an integral part of the tier 1 Counter-Strike scene.

Valve emphasized that the goal of these changes is to maintain an open and level playing field for teams in the Counter-Strike esports ecosystem. They want to ensure that competition is based solely on skill and ability rather than exclusive business relationships.

While the finer details of the new rules are still in progress, Valve is committed to the long-term health and openness of Counter-Strike as a sport, looking forward to a bright and inclusive future for the game.

Valve announces strict 2025 requirements for organizing Counter-Strike esports events, ending semi-franchised partner team model

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics