A special NAVI fan zone will open in central Kyiv on August 24, giving esports fans a chance to see one of the most important trophies in the Ukrainian organization’s history.

The fan zone will be located at Hotel Ukraine, near Independence Square, and will run from August 24 through September 6, 2026. Admission will be free.

Maincast announced the initiative ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day. Visitors will be able to take photos with the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 trophy and participate in a giveaway featuring official NAVI merchandise.

Organizers have not yet revealed the full program, suggesting that additional activities will be announced separately.

NAVI’s Historic CS2 Major Trophy Comes to Kyiv

The centerpiece of the fan zone will be the trophy NAVI won at PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, one of the most significant titles in the organization’s Counter-Strike history.

The Copenhagen tournament was the first Major ever held in Counter-Strike 2, following the competitive scene’s transition from CS.

NAVI reached the grand final on March 31, 2024, where they faced FaZe Clan in a best-of-three series. NAVI won Ancient, FaZe responded by taking Mirage, and the championship was ultimately decided on Inferno.

NAVI secured the deciding map and won the series 2–1, becoming the first team in history to win a Major in Counter-Strike 2.

The victory earned the organization $500,000 in prize money from the tournament’s total $1.25 million prize pool.

It was also NAVI’s second Counter-Strike Major title. The organization won its first at PGL Major Stockholm 2021 during the CS era.

The Copenhagen trophy therefore represents more than another tournament victory: it marks the beginning of the Major championship era in CS2.

Esports Moves Into the Heart of Kyiv

The location makes the project particularly notable for Kyiv.

Hotel Ukraine is situated at 4 Heroiv Nebesnoi Sotni Alley, overlooking Independence Square and within one of the capital’s most recognizable public areas.

Instead of hosting the initiative at a gaming venue or esports arena, NAVI is bringing its brand and one of its biggest trophies into a central urban location accessible to a broader audience.

The opening date is also symbolic. The fan zone will welcome its first visitors on August 24, Ukraine’s Independence Day, and remain open for nearly two weeks.

For Kyiv residents and visitors, the event offers a rare opportunity to see a piece of esports history without attending an international tournament.

What Connects NAVI and Hotel Ukraine?

The choice of venue also has a business connection.

Hotel Ukraine is owned by Ukrainian businessman Maksym Krippa, who also owns NAVI.

Krippa acquired the landmark Kyiv property through a privatization auction in 2024. The winning bid reached UAH 2.51 billion, significantly exceeding the initial asking price.

The fan zone therefore brings together two assets associated with the same owner: a prominent physical venue in the center of Kyiv and one of Ukraine’s best-known international esports brands.

Krippa’s business interests also extend into the video game industry. He is associated with GSC Game World, the Ukrainian game developer best known for the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise.

Using Hotel Ukraine for the NAVI fan zone illustrates how esports, gaming and physical infrastructure can intersect within the same broader business ecosystem.

NAVI Expands Its Offline Presence

For NAVI, the initiative is also another way to engage with its Ukrainian audience outside traditional esports broadcasts.

Professional esports organizations primarily interact with fans through tournament streams, social media, digital content and watch parties. Physical fan spaces create an additional touchpoint, allowing online communities to engage with a team and its history in person.

The PGL Major Copenhagen trophy is particularly well suited to this format. Fans who watched NAVI’s championship run online in 2024 will now be able to see the trophy in person in Kyiv.

Photos and other content created by visitors can then return to social platforms, extending the reach of the event beyond the physical venue itself.

Whether Hotel Ukraine will host more NAVI or gaming-related events in the future has not been announced. The upcoming fan zone nevertheless demonstrates how a major Ukrainian esports brand can establish a temporary offline presence in one of Kyiv’s most prominent locations.

What Visitors Need to Know

The NAVI fan zone will operate from August 24 to September 6, 2026, at Hotel Ukraine, 4 Heroiv Nebesnoi Sotni Alley, Kyiv.

Admission will be free.

Confirmed activities include an opportunity to see and take photos with the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 championship trophy and participate in a giveaway for official NAVI merchandise.

Additional activities are expected to be revealed later.