Stake joins Team Vitality in multi-year CS2 esports partnership

French esports giants Team Vitality have announced a landmark multi-year partnership with Stake, marking the betting operator’s first major move into the competitive gaming space.

The seven-figure deal designates Stake as the official international betting partner of Team Vitality’s Counter-Strike 2 roster and debuts at IEM Cologne 2025 — one of the most iconic tournaments on the CS2 circuit.

Under the agreement, Stake’s branding will feature prominently on Team Vitality’s new jersey — including the front and left collarbone — and across the team’s digital platforms.

The collaboration extends beyond visibility, with exclusive fan content, premium activations, and behind-the-scenes player access planned throughout the competitive season.

The timing of this deal is significant, arriving as Team Vitality dominate the CS2 landscape.

The BLAST.tv Austin Major marked their eight consecutive title, reinforcing the team’s status as reigning world champions.

“This partnership with Stake is historic: not only for its scale but also for its symbolic value,” said Vas Roberts, co-CEO of Team Vitality.

“It reflects our ambition to establish Team Vitality as a leading global esports brand and support our Counter-Strike roster as it reaches new competitive heights.”

For Stake, the move builds on a growing sports sponsorship portfolio, which includes deals with the UFC, Sauber F1 Team, and Premier League club Everton.

“This collaboration adds esports to our globally renowned portfolio of sports and entertainment partnerships,” added Akhil Sarin, Stake’s CMO.

“Team Vitality represents exactly the caliber of world-class partner we seek as we enter the esports arena.”

The announcement also reflects a wider trend: betting brands now account for roughly 25% of esports sponsorship revenue, with the sector surpassing US$2.8 billion in 2025, according to iGaming Business.

With esports viewership projected to hit 640 million by year’s end, the Stake–Team Vitality alliance underscores the growing convergence of gaming, betting, and global competitive entertainment.