StarLadder MRQ tournaments axed, Budapest Counter-Strike Main now invite-only

In a controversial transfer, all StarLadder MRQ tournaments have been cancelled. 

MRQs – Main Regional Qualifiers – allow lower-ranked groups to qualify for Main tournaments, providing a possibility to reinforce their roster’s expertise and help. 

Why had been the StarLadder MRQ tournaments cancelled?

Counter-Strike has a packed aggressive calendar, with tournaments run by a number of separate organisers and broadcast firms. In consequence, some competitions overlap with each other. 

The Starladder MRQ dates had been launched on June sixth. Groups would have competed in these on-line qualifiers between October sixteenth and nineteenth. 

Nonetheless, 4 different Counter-Strike tournaments have been deliberate over this era, together with the Thunderpick World Championship, CS Asia Championship, Roobet Cup, and the Fall/Autumn MESA Nomadic Masters. 

Three of those tournaments are offline. This implies they’re deliberate with potential ticketed audiences as much as stadium-level. 

In consequence, Valve is prioritising pre-existing occasions. MRQs will now not be held, and all 32 individuals within the StarLadder Budapest Main will likely be chosen by Valve’s Regional Rating.

Valve justified the adjustments by claiming that internet hosting MRQs was changing into disruptive to the aggressive calendar. 

“One of many objectives of the VRS is to standardize group occasions in order that they are often built-in with the Majors. At this level we imagine {that a} separate qualification course of for the Main is each pointless and disruptive. Due to this fact, we’ve made the choice to cancel the Fall 2025 MRQs. As a substitute, the 32 groups taking part within the Budapest Main will likely be invited instantly from the VRS.”

– Valve, Counter-Strike 2 Publishers

Why are different tournaments being prioritised over MRQs?

The sport generates substantial income from the sale of match tickets and in-game beauty objects, resembling stickers. These two earnings streams go hand-in-hand with Counter-Strike LANs and Majors. 

MRQs are held on-line and do not need in-game cosmetics related to competitors. Due to this fact, they don’t faucet into both of those money-making avenues for Valve.

Alongside this, groups usually tend to try strategic participation. In the event that they really feel they’ve a stronger likelihood of qualifying for the subsequent Main than profitable a match they’ve already certified for, they might drop one for the opposite. 

Cancelling the Starladder MRQs is cited by Valve as a choice that impacts the complete CS2 aggressive ecosystem this season. It’s unclear whether or not Valve will stay dedicated to this choice for future Majors following group backlash.

Followers react with disappointment and anger

The Counter-Strike group overwhelmingly opposes Valve’s choice to cancel MRQs. 

Some followers have referred to as the transfer “a step within the fallacious route,” and even “an enormous step backwards.” Others are mourning the lack of “Small groups with large desires giving all of it to be on the high.” 

I have to say this as a result of it’s affecting my workforce, my life, our org and its future.

Firstly @CounterStrike deleted the RMR quals (the guts of cs), then determine 6 days after saying the MRQs they determine to delete them too? There are fixed and blatant issues with VRS…

— SaVage (@SaVagecs_) June 12, 2025

At present, the BLAST Austin Main is in progress. A number of Stage One and Two highlights have been low-ranked groups defeating high-ranked counterparts, creating participating and thrilling underdog tales. 

China’s shock success story in Austin, Lynn Imaginative and prescient, has even impacted the non-public lives of gamers, catapulting them into the highlight.

Smaller areas, resembling China, could wrestle after the lack of MRQs. Beforehand, pre-tournament qualifier alternatives ensured a extra balanced regional illustration. 

The brand new invite-only system doesn’t permit smaller areas the identical alternative to realize Main illustration, group constructing, or viewership.

Valve has determined to kill MRQ (Main Regional Qualifier) which suggests there will likely be fewer underdogs and Tier-2 groups within the Main, this will even make much less regional illustration.

MRQs ensured every area had slots to battle for, that will likely be gone.

Dangerous choice ‼️

— Thour (@ThourCS2) June 12, 2025

The Valve Rating System was created to finally substitute the MRQ system. However, the overarching consensus is that the system is just not but mature sufficient to develop into the default qualification route. 

Decrease-tier competitors requires further help to reinforce rank mobility; in any other case, underdog groups will miss quite a few alternatives to succeed.

Hannah is a author specialising within the esports, gaming, and know-how sectors. Working for retailers resembling Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and naturally ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, though it might by no means surpass her drive to passionately beat her mates in each sport of Mariokart. You might have seen her at numerous esports and gaming occasions, together with ESI London, EGX, Uncover: Esports and plenty of League of Legends watch events.