Champion of Champions Tour reveals 2026 CS2 European circuit structure

Champion of Champions Tout (CCT) have announced their European circuit structure for the 2026 Counter-Strike 2 season, implementing a progression system designed to give lower-rated teams a chance to compete for trophies.

The prominent tournament organizer, known for hosting CCT events across Oceania, South America, North America, and Europe, plans to host 34 European events this season.

The events are divided into three tiers – CCT Europe, Challengers Europe, and Contenders Europe

The 10 planned CCT Contenders events are the lowest-tier tournaments and will feature 16 teams who will secure their spots via one of two open qualifiers.

Each Contenders event will have a US$2,500 prize pool and award two tickets for CCT Challengers.

In Series 5-9, the open qualifiers will award only two spots, down from eight each. The remaining 14 slots will be filled by squads based on the Valve Regional Standings (VRS).

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  Fast Payouts

CCT plans to host eight Challenger events over the season, each featuring 16 teams: 14 directly invited and 2 Wildcard Slots awarded to the CCT Contenders Europe Series 2-9 champions.

Each CCT Challenger event will offer a $5,000 prize pool and two tickets for CCT Europe.

The main CCT Europe circuit will largely remain the same as in previous with a $25,000 prize pool each.

Series 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 15, and 16 will welcome 34 invited teams and two squads that qualified via CCT Challengers. Meanwhile, CCT Europe Series 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14 will feature only directly invited teams.

CCT Contenders Europe Series 2-4 Format

• • 16 teams (8 from Open Qualifier #1 and 8 from Open Qualifier #2)
• • Double-elimination format
• • All matches are best-of-three
• • $2,500 prize pool

CCT Contenders Europe Series 5-9 Format

• • 16 teams (14 invited + 2 from Open Qualifier)
• • Double-elimination format
• • All matches are best-of-three
• • $2,500 prize pool

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  The bookies' bookie

CCT Challengers Series Format

• • 16 teams (14 invited + 2 from CCT Contenders)
• • Double-elimination format
• • All matches are best-of-three
• • $5,000 prize pool

CCT Europe Series 1,2,3,8,10,11,13,14 Format

• • 36 teams (all invited)
• • GSL format Play-In
• • Swiss Stage main event
• • Single-elimination playoffs
• • All matches are best-of-three
• • $25,000 prize pool

CCT Europe Series 4,5,6,7,9,12,15, 16 Format

• • 36 teams (34 invited + 2 CCT Challengers winners)
• • GSL format Play-In
• • Swiss Stage main event
• • Single-elimination playoffs
• • All matches are best-of-three
• • $25,000 prize pool

The 2026 CCT circuit begins with CCT Europe 2026 Contenders #1, on February 21. The first open qualifiers conclude on Thursday, and the second round of qualifiers begins on Friday.