After a breakout season debut, YaLLa Esports today announces the massive expansion of its YaLLa Contenders circuit from two to four seasons in 2025, with a massive eight additional seasons scheduled for 2026, cementing its role as one of the most ambitious Tier 2 CS2 circuits globally.

Originally designed to complement the flagship YaLLa Compass LAN events, YaLLa Contenders has proven itself essential to the wider CS2 competitive ecosystem. Following overwhelming response from players, teams, and the broader community, YaLLa Esports is making a bold commitment to the Tier 2 scene, not just as a stepping stone, but as a cornerstone of growth. YaLLa Contenders has firmly earned its place, delivering impact across viewership, community engagement, and team opportunities for invites.

With the first season already concluded and momentum at an all-time high, YaLLa Contenders is now on track to run eight more seasons in 2026, offering consistent competition and visibility for teams aiming to break into the top tier.

Given the current structure of CS2’s ecosystem, maintaining ranking and visibility is critical, especially for teams hovering outside the top 10. YaLLa Contenders has become a true path-to-pro, offering valuable VRS points, broadcast spotlight, and tournament experience that can directly translate into invites for Tier 1 events like YaLLa Compass - as the winner of the YaLLa Contenders gets direct invites to YaLLa Compass T1 events.

“Since 2016, YaLLa Esports has been committed to building the esports and CS scene from the ground up. We’re proud to be a Tier 1 organizer that actually invests in Tier 2,” said Klaus Kajetski, Founder of YaLLa Esports. “YaLLa Contenders is where future stars are born, it’s where rising teams get not just game time, but real exposure, storytelling, and brand-building support.”

From high-quality production to player interviews and brand-building content, YaLLa Contenders is a place for the CS2 community to discover the next generation of legends, and for players to gain meaningful broadcast and media experience.

YaLLa Esports is also excited to confirm that the first YaLLa Contenders season of 2026 will kick off in January. That future includes not only YaLLa Contenders, but also Compass, YaLLa Esports’ Tier 1 LAN circuit.

Looking further ahead, YaLLa Esports is proud to announce that the first YaLLa Compass Tier 1 event of 2027 is set for 14 - 25 April 2027. This continues the Tier 1 circuit from 2026, with even more events to be revealed soon for a fully packed 2027 calendar with both Tier 1 and Tier 2 CS2 competition.

2025 TIER 2 Events General Information

Invitation details

• Invitation date: 30 days before Main Event
• Total of 24 direct VRS invites starting from VRS rank 13
• Top 8 teams directly to Main Event
• Remaining 16 invites to Closed Qualifier
• Online tournament, EU region.

Prize Pool Distribution

• $25,000
• 1st: $10,000
• 2nd: $5,000
• 3rd-4th: $3,000
• 5th-8th: $1,000

Format

Group Stage

• 16 Team Swiss System
• All matches are Bo3
• Top 8 teams proceed to Main Event

Playoffs

• Single-Elimination bracket
• All matches are Bo3

Key Dates and Information:

YaLLa Contenders 02:

• Group stage (Online): 11th August - 22nd August 2025
• Playoffs: 2nd September - 3rd September 2025
• Closed Qualifier (Online): 21st July - 1st August 2025

YaLLa Contenders 03:

• Group stage (Online): 29th September - 10th October 2025
• Playoffs: 13th October - 14th October 2025
• Closed Qualifier (Online): 15th September - 26th September 2025

YaLLa Contenders 04:

• Group stage (Online): 8th December - 19th December 2025
• Playoffs: 20th December - 21st December 2025
• Closed Qualifier (Online): 24th November - 5th December 2025

YaLLa Contenders 05 - 12: Kicks off in January, played throughout 2026. Exact dates TBA.

Additional information

Eligibility Criteria for Tournament Entry

A team can only qualify for a Direct VRS Invite if at least three of its players were part of the roster on the date the invite was issued.

Consequences of Valve Bans on Roster Eligibility

Should a team lose players due to Valve sanctions and no longer meet the roster requirements, the Direct VRS Invite may be withdrawn.

Procedure for Declining or Inability to Compete

If a team opts out of the Direct VRS Invite or cannot participate, the invite will be passed to the next team in the VRS rankings until all spots are filled.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

Teams and players must ensure there are no financial or business entanglements with other participating teams. This includes having no shared management, ownership, licensing deals, or financial agreements with other competitors.