ESL Impact CS2 women’s circuit indefinitely suspended

Jack Stewart, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 03/10/2025

ESL has announced that the Counter-Strike 2 women’s circuit, ESL Impact, will be suspended following Season 8.

The ESL FACEIT Group released a statement saying it had “made the incredibly difficult decision.” 

While the tournament organisers say that ESL Impact succeeded in raising the profile of women’s CS, they also claim:

“The current economic model is simply not sustainable.”

The ESL Impact League was started back in 2022 and has handed out around $1.2m (£891k) in prize money in total.

Several top organisations have competed in the event over the years as it has become a crucial part of Women’s CS2.

The current best women’s CS2 team in the world, Imperial Valkyries, have qualified for Tier 1 LAN invites due to their ESL Impact performances.

Despite suspending ESL Impact, ESL FACEIT still claim:

“Our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive esports ecosystem remains a core value of EFG, and we will continue to support the community.”

Players and teams come together to try and save women’s CS2

Following the announcement, various pro CS2 players and organisations have reacted on social media.

Many are trying to band together to ensure that the women’s CS2 esports scene continues.

One such organisation is FlyQuest RED, one of the biggest investors in Impact North America.

FlyQuest’s statement reads:

“ESL Impact is ending. Women’s CS is not.

“The future of women’s CS is now at risk. We can’t let this be the end for so many amazing players.

“We may not have all the answers yet, but know this: RED is not going anywhere, and we will act.

“We’re calling on fans, players, allies, and partners to join us in trying to figure out how we can keep Women’s CS strong in 2026.”

MIBR also released a joint statement, alongside FlyQuest RED and Imperial Fe, stressing their commitment to women’s CS2:

“Today, together with FlyQuest RED and Imperial Fe, we reaffirm our commitment to do everything we can to keep women’s Counter-Strike alive and thriving worldwide.”

And Ninjas in Pyjamas Impact captain Ksenia ‘vilga’ Klyunekova also remained hopeful in her own statement, saying:

“While we understand ESL’s decision, this marks a difficult moment for our community… this departure leaves a gap that cannot be overstated.

“Throughout the history of women’s Counter-Strike, we have faced many hardships, misjudgements and neglect.

“Despite all this, we were persistent and never gave up; we continued to fight through this struggle in the face of adversity.”

Meanwhile, UK and Nordic women have a new path to pro in Valorant with BEACON Game Changer Series 2.

Jack Stewart, Senior Editor

In my seven years of esports writing, I've introuduced esports coverage to newspapers, interviewed some of the biggest names in the industry, and driven viewers mad with the puns in my YouTube scripts. I'm most proud of the latter.

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