ESL and BLAST have issued updates regarding the map pools used in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) esports events following the return of Overpass.
Following the map’s return to the Active Duty map pool, both tournament organisers have added it to their map pools for upcoming events.
ESL has announced that adding Overpass will take place ‘with immediate effect’ for ESL Pro Tour and Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) events. As a result, IEM Cologne will be the first tournament operated by the organiser to feature the map.
Anubis will no longer feature in ESL-sanctioned events, matching the current Active Duty map pool used in the first-person shooter title’s own competitive playlist.
With qualifiers for ESL Pro League Season 22 still underway, the remaining matches will take place using the previous patch.
BLAST issued a similar update, confirming Overpass’ inclusion in its map pool from August 1st, 2025. The BLAST Rising qualifiers will be the first tournament that includes the map. Open qualifiers taking place in July will continue to use Anubis.
PGL and StarLadder have yet to issue an update regarding the presence of Overpass in upcoming tournaments.
What Next For Counter-Strike Esports?
Following the BLAST.tv Austin Major, attention within the Counter-Strike esports scene turns towards IEM Cologne as the first S-Tier event after a short break.
24 teams from around the world will head to Germany to compete for a share of a $1m (~£746,240) prize pool and an opportunity to earn Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points.
The event is one of several that forms the ESL Grand Slam, an initiative where winning teams can win an additional $1m prize. After Team Vitality won IEM Dallas, the French organisation is leading the race and needs four more wins to achieve back-to-back Grand Slams.
