Thunderpick World Championship (TWC) returns in 2025 with a $1 million prize pool

Thunderpick has officially announced the return of the Thunderpick World Championship (TWC) for 2025, continuing its push to expand the Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) esports scene.

Thunderpick has officially announced the return of the Thunderpick World Championship (TWC) for 2025.

The tournament will continue its push to expand the Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) esports scene with a total prize pool of $1 million and a LAN final in Malta.

Good to know

TWC 2025 will feature a total prize pool of $1 million, with $850,000 set aside for the LAN finals in Malta. Before the finals, the competition will go through a global qualifying process including two Regional Series each in Europe, North America, and South America. A closed qualifier will follow to finalize the lineup for the main event.

The full schedule includes:

All matches will be streamed live on twitch.tv/thunderpicktv.

Long-term investment in CS2

Following the success of the 2024 tournament, where The MongolZ defeated HEROIC 3-1 in the finals, Thunderpick has restated its long-term ambition for CS2 esports. According to Kelly Sanders, Head of Strategy at Thunderpick, “As we head into our third year of the Thunderpick World Championship, our mission remains clear: to provide a world-class tournament experience for players and fans alike. With our 2025 plans underway and 2026 already in motion, we’re proud to continue investing in the future of CS2.”

TWC remains one of the largest independently sponsored CS2 competitions, showcasing Thunderpick’s dedication to competitive integrity and high production value.

Partnership with Hotspawn enhances viewer experience

In 2025, Thunderpick will partner with Hotspawn, an esports-focused platform, to co-present the event. The collaboration introduces a new visual identity and fan-friendly features aimed at enhancing the tournament’s broadcast and viewer engagement.

Hotspawn Editor in Chief Sophie McCarthy shared her thoughts on the partnership: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Thunderpick World Championship, an event that is fast becoming one of the most exciting in the Counter-Strike calendar. This partnership is a huge milestone for Hotspawn as we go all in on the biggest tournaments and we’re excited to bring our community even closer to the action.”