Esports betting platform Thunderpick has announced the return of the Thunderpick World Championship (TWC) for 2025, featuring a total prize pool of $1 million. The company has also confirmed the continuation of the tournament into 2026 and beyond, signalling a long-term commitment to the Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) competitive ecosystem.

The 2025 edition will include regional qualifiers across North America, South America, and Europe, culminating in a Tier 1 LAN final in Malta from 15–19 October. The LAN finals alone will distribute $850,000 of the total prize pool.

The announcement comes amid a broader trend within the esports industry of increasing prize pools to attract top-tier teams and audience interest. Over the past month, CS2 has seen the reveal of three separate $1 million tournaments, while Dota 2’s new competitive circuit, led by PGL, also features multiple high-stakes events. Even Marvel Rivals has joined the trend with a $3 million circuit.

While the surge in large-scale prize pools is gaining momentum in 2025, Thunderpick may have played a pioneering role, having introduced a $1 million prize pool for the 2024 edition of the TWC.

“As we head into our third year of the Thunderpick World Championship, our mission remains clear: to provide a world-class tournament experience for players and fans alike,” said Kelly Sanders, Head of Strategy at Thunderpick. “With our 2025 plans underway and 2026 already in motion, we’re proud to continue investing in the future of CS2.”

The event is presented in partnership with esports media outlet Hotspawn. As part of this collaboration, the 2025 edition will introduce a refreshed visual identity. All matches will be streamed live via Thunderpick’s official Twitch channel.

Sophie McCarthy, Editor in Chief at Hotspawn, commented: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Thunderpick World Championship, an event that is fast becoming one of the most exciting in the Counter-Strike calendar. This partnership is a huge milestone for Hotspawn as we go all in on the biggest tournaments and we’re excited to bring our community even closer to the action.”