The Thunderpick World Championship 2026 (TWC 2026) is one of the biggest Counter-Strike 2 tournaments of the year, bringing together top teams from around the world to compete for a $1,115,000 prize pool.
The event runs from April to October 2026, starting with online regional stages and ending with a LAN final in Malta.
What Is TWC 2026
TWC 2026 is a global CS2 tournament organized by Thunderpick in collaboration with GRID. It features multiple stages, giving teams several chances to qualify for the final event.
Many of the participating teams are ranked inside the top 100 globally, including known names like Natus Vincere, FURIA and The MongolZ.
Format and Stages
The tournament is split into several phases:
- Regional Online Series (North America, Europe, South America)
- Closed Qualifier
- LAN Finals in Malta
Each stage resets the competition, meaning teams must perform consistently to reach the final.
North America Series
The first stage of the tournament is the North America Series, running from April 26 to May 3.
Format:
- Group Stage (April 26 – 30):
- Two groups of four teams
- Top 4 advance, bottom teams eliminated
- Playoffs (May 1 – 3):
- 8 teams total (including invited teams)
- Single elimination bracket
- All matches are Best of 3
The Thunderpick World Championship 2026 is a full-season CS2 event, not just a single tournament. With a large prize pool, multiple stages and a final in Malta, it offers a long and competitive road to the title.