10 Storylines You Need to Follow in the 2026 Counter-Strike 2 Season

In professional Counter-Strike 2, narrative is King. New storylines emerge every year, and are a massive part of what makes competitive CS2 so compelling. Heading into 2026, there’s no shortage of narratives in Counter-Strike 2 that you should be following throughout the year!

1. Can Vitality maintain a dominant era?

Vitality were the team of 2025. No doubt about it. Two Major wins and a Katowice trophy were the crowning achievements of last year for the team, although they won almost every event they played in the first half of the year. Naturally, it sparked talk of a Vitality era.

But an era is more than just a year. Whether they can establish that will depend on whether this lineup carries on its legendary form into 2026 with more tournament wins. They are pretty obviously the best CS2 team in the world right now, but we’ve seen in the past that this can all change very quickly if results take a downward turn.

2. Will Falcons finally make things click?

This Falcons project has injected eye-watering amounts of cash to try to become the top Counter-Strike team in the world. Up to now, they’ve managed to put themselves in contention at every tournament with their all-star lineup, but this iteration hasn’t managed to get over the line with a trophy win.

But rather than throwing more money at the problem with the “Just one more star player” mantra, it seems as though Falcons are sticking to their guns in 2026. No roster moves at this point in time, when perhaps there were some solid options on the market. But will things finally click into place? That’s one of the main Counter-Strike 2 storylines we’ll be watching out for this year.

3. donk vs. ZywOo – the fight for number one

The fight for the number one player has never been stronger. donk took the title in 2024, and despite putting up genuinely ludicrous stats throughout 2025, it seems that ZywOo is set to be crowned the best CS2 player of last year thanks to his Major MVPs and overall team performance.

Heading into 2026, these two players seem driven by competition to push each other to new heights. When it comes to CS2, donk and ZywOo are freaks of nature, pushing the game beyond its limits. The battle for number one, especially with donk looking to reclaim his throne, is going to be a banger.

4. Will FURIA carry 2025 form into next year?

FURIA were the surprise package of 2025, rounding out the year with three consecutive trophy wins. Disappointment at the StarLadder Budapest Major did not take away from their earlier form, and it seemed like everything had come together to make FURIA a formidable force at the top of the game.

But was it just a flash in the pan? When we see teams make the next step to becoming truly elite, it’s often not sustainable over long periods. That is the next stress test for FURIA, giving them one of the most compelling CS2 storylines to follow in 2026 – can they keep their form and remain among the best CS2 teams in the world?

5. Can MOUZ take the next step?

For MOUZ, 2025 was like Groundhog Day. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Consistent Playoff appearances, but never quite going the distance to lift trophies like their peers. As frustrating as it is, they never felt a million miles away from making it click.

It remains to be seen if MOUZ will make any personnel changes to kick off 2026. Perhaps that’s the answer to their woes. But perhaps not. Regardless, following MOUZ this year will be an interesting prospect to see whether they can take that next step toward becoming consistent trophy winners.

6. Will Astralis’ international gamble work out?

At the time of writing, it’s not officially announced, but everything points towards Astralis going international for the 2026 season. It truly is the end of an era – one of the last holdouts of national Counter-Strike has finally decided that going international is the only way to find success.

Is it a gamble worth taking for Astralis? Will it really propel them to new (or old) heights in 2026? Because when you abandon that national identity, it’s not easily won back, even if Astralis remains one of the most recognizable brands in Denmark. Just ask Liquid after they left NA for its initial EU roster over two years ago – it feels as if that connection with the fans hasn’t been the same since, and you imagine that Astralis, if things don’t work out, won’t just be able to crawl back to Denmark with their tails between their legs, either.

7. Sink or swim for FaZe Clan – which will it be?

Following a pretty miserable 2025, FaZe surprised everyone with a run to the Grand Final at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. It’s a run that has seemingly bought this roster more time into the start of this year, rightly or wrongly.

But even still, it feels like the last chance saloon for FaZe Clan. Sink or swim time. If they can’t carry some of that Major momentum into the early 2026 CS2 events, we could see quick changes in the lineup. It makes them a compelling prospect to watch.

8. The Tier 2 teams to watch

We know all about the Tier 1 teams and their place in the game. But what about the Tier 2 teams you should have your eyes on throughout 2026? There are a couple of noteworthy ones to discuss. The first is Gentle Mates – they were within a hair of making it to the StarLadder Budapest Major, and the all-Spanish lineup have managed to put together a lot of solid results at the end of 2025. I want to see more of them on LAN.

Then, there’s FUT. The core of cmtry, dem0n, dziugss, and Krabeni made the move to FUT last year from NAVI Junior, with the final piece, makazze, joining NAVI’s main roster. In his place, they have added lauNX, who has performed admirably in the lineup, helping to transform FUT’s fortunes in the climb through the VRS. We always knew the former NAVI Junior core had a high ceiling. The question in 2026 is simple: how high?

9. Can 100 Thieves make it to a Major?

With the announcement pending, it seems as though the 100 Thieves CS2 roster is set in stone. rain, dev1ce, poiii, Ag1l, and sirah, with gla1ve on coaching duties. A fresh core, grinding from the bottom to make something great under the banner of one of the biggest esports organizations in the world.

The goal for 100 Thieves is clear for 2026: make it to a Major. Unless they win consistently, an invite to the IEM Cologne Major feels impossible, but the PGL Singapore Major feels like a much more attainable goal. With such recognizable names, all eyes will be on 100 Thieves’ grind to the top. Can they become a model example of VRS success in action and make it to a Major from nothing, or will they flop and be looking at more investment this time next year? Who knows, but I’ll be along for the ride.

10. Will s1mple claw his way back to Tier 1?

Amidst all the Tier 1 action, it’s easy to forget that s1mple is still on the grind back to Tier 1 with BC.Game. He’s been with the team for five months now, and it feels as though they’ve struggled to put together a roster worthy of his status. The team’s latest move is to bring in SAW’s Portuguese trio of krazy, aragornN, and MUTiRiS. Alongside s1mple and electroNic, it feels like a fever dream of a roster.

But it may just work, and I’ll be following along the entire time. SAW’s core should buy some Tier 1 invites, but whether s1mple can manage to stay there with his new lineup remains to be seen.