In a controversial move, all StarLadder MRQ tournaments have been cancelled.
MRQs – Major Regional Qualifiers – enable lower-ranked teams to qualify for Major tournaments, offering an opportunity to enhance their roster’s experience and support.
Why were the StarLadder MRQ tournaments cancelled?
Counter-Strike has a packed competitive calendar, with tournaments run by several separate organisers and broadcast companies. As a result, some competitions overlap with one another.
The Starladder MRQ dates were released on June 6th. Teams would have competed in these online qualifiers between October 16th and 19th.
However, four other Counter-Strike tournaments have been planned over this period, including the Thunderpick World Championship, CS Asia Championship, Roobet Cup, and the Fall/Autumn MESA Nomadic Masters.
Three of these tournaments are offline. This means they are planned with potential ticketed audiences up to stadium-level.
As a result, Valve is prioritising pre-existing events. MRQs will no longer be held, and all 32 participants in the StarLadder Budapest Major will be selected through Valve’s Regional Ranking.
Valve justified the changes by claiming that hosting MRQs was becoming disruptive to the competitive calendar.
“One of the goals of the VRS is to standardize community events so that they can be integrated with the Majors. At this point we believe that a separate qualification process for the Major is both unnecessary and disruptive. Therefore, we’ve made the decision to cancel the Fall 2025 MRQs. Instead, the 32 teams participating in the Budapest Major will be invited directly from the VRS.”
– Valve, Counter-Strike 2 Publishers
Why are other tournaments being prioritised over MRQs?
The game generates substantial revenue from the sale of tournament tickets and in-game cosmetic items, such as stickers. These two income streams go hand-in-hand with Counter-Strike LANs and Majors.
MRQs are held online and do not have in-game cosmetics associated with competition. Therefore, they do not tap into either of these money-making avenues for Valve.
Alongside this, teams are more likely to attempt strategic participation. If they feel they have a stronger chance of qualifying for the next Major than winning a tournament they have already qualified for, they may drop one for the other.
Cancelling the Starladder MRQs is cited by Valve as a decision that impacts the entire CS2 competitive ecosystem this season. It is unclear whether Valve will remain committed to this decision for future Majors following community backlash.
Fans react with disappointment and anger
The Counter-Strike community overwhelmingly opposes Valve’s decision to cancel MRQs.
Some fans have called the move “a step in the wrong direction,” or even “a huge step backwards.” Others are mourning the loss of “Small teams with big dreams giving it all to be at the top.”
Currently, the BLAST Austin Major is in progress. Several Stage One and Two highlights have been low-ranked teams defeating high-ranked counterparts, creating engaging and exciting underdog stories.
China’s surprise success story in Austin, Lynn Vision, has even impacted the personal lives of players, catapulting them into the spotlight.
Smaller regions, such as China, may struggle after the loss of MRQs. Previously, pre-tournament qualifier opportunities ensured a more balanced regional representation.
The new invite-only system doesn’t allow smaller regions the same opportunity to gain Major representation, community building, or viewership.
The Valve Ranking System was created to eventually replace the MRQ system. Nevertheless, the overarching consensus is that the system is not yet mature enough to become the default qualification route.
Lower-tier competition requires additional support to enhance rank mobility; otherwise, underdog teams will miss numerous opportunities to succeed.
Hannah is a writer specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, although it may never surpass her drive to passionately beat her friends in every game of Mariokart. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ESI London, EGX, Discover: Esports and many League of Legends watch parties.
