Counter-Strike turns 26 years old — here are the most-watched matches in its esports’ history

Valve‘s first-person shooter title Counter-Strike has turned 26 years old and has come a long way since its inception in 1999.

Over the last two and a half decades, the title has cemented its position as one of the most popular esports titles in the world, with millions tuning into tournaments taking place across the planet.

To celebrate the milestone, the three most-watched Counter-Strike matches in history have been revealed.

According to esports data platform Esports Charts, the three most-watched Counter-Strike matches feature Ukrainian esports organisation NAVI, European organisation G2 Esports and North American organisation FaZe Clan.

Notably, the matches that recorded the highest viewing figures took place at events hosted by tournament organiser PGL.

The match with the third-highest viewing figures is the Grand Final of the 2024 PGL Stockholm Major, where FaZe Clan and NAVI faced off for a chance to become champions. The best-of-three series went the distance, with 1.8m viewers tuning in to watch NAVI emerge victorious.

Counter-Strike’s second most-watched match involved FaZe Clan and NAVI competing in the 2022 PGL Antwerp Major and is one of two matches to break two million viewers. FaZe Clan swept aside NAVI 2-0 to lift the trophy in front of a capacity crowd and 2.1m watching at home.

Lastly, the most-watched Counter-Strike match in history is NAVI’s encounter with G2 Esports at the 2021 PGL Stockholm Major with 2.7m viewers. The event is known for Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyljev, widely regarded as the best CS:GO player of all time, winning his first Major.

The opening day of the Playoffs at the BLAST.tv Austin Major has already recorded impressive viewing figures that are nearing the peaks seen in 2021, 2022 and 2024. In fact, it’s the most-watched Major in North America.

The opening quarter-final match between MOUZ and Team Spirit saw peak viewership of 1.4m. As interest in the tournament continues to build, there’s every chance the 22nd Major can raise the bar even further.