Only a week has passed since the conclusion of the Austin Major 2025, and the excitement is still palpable. However, CS2 enthusiasts are already calling for another Major event to take place in North America.
This time, the discussion centers around reviving a broader emotional sentiment: hosting a Counter-Strike Major in the very place where the iconic game originated.
North America has witnessed only four out of the 22 CS Major Championships to date, all of which occurred in the United States. None of these events were held in the actual birthplace of the game, which many fans find hard to accept.
If you ask numerous CS fans about the roots of Counter-Strike, responses may range from Sweden and the U.S. to «somewhere in Europe.» While these locations played crucial roles in the game’s competitive growth – especially Sweden, known for its legendary players and teams such as the remarkable NiP squad – the true origin traces back further.
To discover where it all began, we must delve deeper. The actual inception of the game points to Canada. The original creator, Canadian-Vietnamese developer Minh Le, known as Gooseman, was nearing the end of his studies at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby when he, along with Jess Cliffe, developed the influential Half-Life mod, which would later gain immense popularity.
What started as a modest side project evolved into one of the most iconic franchises in gaming history and is regarded by many esports fans as the greatest esport ever. Valve recognized the mod’s potential, took it on, and history was made. Fast forward 25 years, Counter-Strike has now transitioned to its fifth generation with CS2, yet Canada still has not hosted a Major.
This surprising reality has ignited a new quest from fans across social platforms. Following the successful Austin Major, the community is again urging Valve to host a prestigious event to commemorate the game’s Canadian roots.
«Counter-Strike was born in Canada. When can we expect a Canada Major?» a user remarked. Another added, «A Vancouver Major in honor of Gooseman would be fantastic.»
Fans have identified several likely candidates for host cities, with Vancouver and Toronto emerging as frontrunners. Both cities have strong histories of hosting major esports events, having previously hosted Dota 2’s The International 2018 (TI8) and currently holding the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational 2025. Recently, VALORANT Masters took place in Toronto, which coincided with the Austin Major, showing that Canada’s top cities can manage multiple premier tournaments effectively.
However, some members of the community caution that potential challenges exist for event organizers in Canada. High taxation, costly accommodations, and logistical issues could complicate the execution of a Major event. Additionally, the current lack of a strong Canadian team in the CS2 circuit might hinder local enthusiasm and crowd turnout.
Yet, many believe that nostalgia and historical significance offer compelling reasons to hold a Major event in Canada. Counter-Strike owes its existence to that small college project, and establishing Canada’s first Major would not only be meaningful but also serve as a full-circle moment for the game and its legacy. Given that CS2 is still defining its presence and Valve is focused on maintaining the Major circuit, this could be an opportune time to honor the game’s origins.
It’s time to bring Counter-Strike back home.
