Stake and StarLadder have unveiled their full circuit for 2026 Counter-Strike events, adding four more $100,000 prize-pool tournaments to their plans.
The announcement outlines four more events, which join the one completed, and one previously announced event to make up a six-tournament circuit, concluding with Stake Ranked Episode 6 in November.
The Stake/StarLadder 2026 Circuit is scheduled as such:
- Episode 2: 27-30 May*
- Episode 3: 15-18 July
- Episode 4: 1-4 October
- Episode 5: 27-30 October
- Episode 6: 17-20 November
*Stake Ranked Episode 2 had previously been announced.
Stake Ranked Episodes ramp up VRS impact
Stake and StarLadder have already held one tournament in 2026, Stake Ranked Episode 1 from April 1-4. The eight-team LAN was a vital stop in the race to IEM Cologne 2026 Major qualification, helping winners integrate Guy ‘Nertz’ Iluz into their roster, and solidifying their Stage 2 start at the Major.
Runners-up BetBoom were the chief beneficiaries of the LAN, however, earning 68 VRS points on their way to the roster’s second Major berth.
While the IEM Cologne Major spots are already decided, Stake Ranked Episodes 4 and 5 will be especially impactful for the PGL Singapore Major, with the November 2 cutoff date in mind.
Part of what made Stake Ranked so impactful in the VRS was the relatively high prize pool, with $100,000 on offer to the teams. That same prize pool and distribution will exist for Episodes 2-6.
Stake Ranked Episodes prize pool:
Total Prize Pool: $100,000
- 1st Place: $25,000
- 2nd Place: $17,500
- 3rd Place: $13,500
- 4th Place: $11,000
- 5th–6th Place: $9,000 each
- 7th–8th Place: $7,500 each
Stake Ranked 2 was already scheduled from May 27-20, with FaZe, Heroic, NIP, 3DMAX, 9z, and Alliance directly invited. Two more teams will join the event through Closed Qualifiers, after the Open Qualifiers finished on April 22.
The event will see FaZe compete in their third event since the departure of Finn ‘karrigan’ Andersen from the roster.
Will FaZe recover at Stake Ranked Episode 2 without karrigan? Let us know on our Discord!
For more CS news, see who is in Team Vitality’s new academy roster.
Darragh is an Esports Journalist for Insider Gaming specialising in Counter-Strike. He loves to explore how esports teams work, or why they very often do not.
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