Valve Will Host 2027 Counter-Strike Majors in Asia and South America
The 2027 season will be the first since 2013 with no Counter-Strike Major tournaments hosted in Europe.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in eSports
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Valve has announced that the 2027 Counter-Strike Majors will take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Shanghai, China. This shift marks the first time since the tournament series began in 2013 that no Major will be hosted within Europe.
Why it matters
Valve is intentionally expanding its Major tournament series beyond its traditional European center to reach new global audiences. By selecting diverse international markets, the organizer aims to broaden the geographical reach of the professional Counter-Strike circuit.
Each of the 2027 Majors will feature 32 teams and carry a $1.25 million prize pool. Argentina will serve as the 14th country to host a Valve-backed Major, following a significant history of European-based events.
The players
Valve
Valve is a prominent American video game developer and digital distribution company that serves as the publisher of the Counter-Strike franchise.
FiReSPORTS
FiReSPORTS is an event organizer that will stage the 2027 Buenos Aires Major.
Perfect World
Perfect World is a Chinese video game company that will organize the 2027 Shanghai Major.
The details
Valve manages its Major championship circuit by assigning host cities to regional tournament partners. For the 2027 season, the FiReMAJOR in Buenos Aires will be organized by FiReSPORTS, while the Shanghai Major will be managed by Perfect World.
Timeline
2013: Valve-backed Counter-Strike Majors began.
2020: No Major was played due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 31 - June 20, 2027: The FiReMAJOR takes place in Buenos Aires.
November 22 - December 12, 2027: The second 2027 Major takes place in Shanghai.
Season Trajectory
This move marks a departure from the established 2013 precedent of hosting the professional circuit primarily within Europe. By shifting the 2027 schedule to South America and Asia, Valve is significantly altering the geographical footprint of the competitive season.
The upcoming 2027 season will feature 32 competing teams at each event, representing an expansion of the tournament field. Fans and viewers should note the specific scheduling, with the Buenos Aires event running from late May into June and the Shanghai event occurring in late 2027.
The takeaway
The selection of South American and Chinese host cities signals a strategic shift to diversify the global reach of major competitive tournaments. This evolution in scheduling offers new opportunities for emerging regional talent and international audiences to engage with the professional circuit.
Further reading
For more news on the professional gaming circuit, visit the eSports section.
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