Following the conclusion of the StarLadder Budapest Main in December 2025, a number of Counter-Strike 2 groups have opted to overtake their rosters for 2026.
Starting from new organisations signing seasoned veterans to prime groups adjusting beginning line-ups, the low season noticed notable names lay down foundations for a robust begin to the yr. In consequence, this implies ranging from zero within the Valve Regional Standings for some organisations, whereas others have acquired cores to spice up their preliminary rankings.
Earlier than the groups absolutely return to motion, Esports Insider has detailed 5 of the most important CS2 roster strikes which have taken place.
Zont1x and Magixx Return to Staff Spirit
Following a top-four end on the Budapest Main, Staff Spirit has overhauled its roster because it appears to proceed giving the likes of Staff Vitality a run for its cash on the large phases. On December nineteenth, 2025, Leonid ‘chopper’ Vishnyakov and Ivan ‘zweih’ Gogin departed regardless of persevering with to carry out properly in opposition to the world’s greatest groups.
In consequence, Myroslav ‘zont1x’ Plakhotia returned to his authentic position throughout the roster after stepping away to deal with private points in 2025. Alongside zont1x, Boris ‘magixx’ Vorobyev has turn out to be Staff Spirit’s new in-game chief after being moved to the inactive roster in July 2025.
The pairing of magixx and zont1x is not any stranger to success. Earlier than their benching, Staff Spirit gained BLAST Bounty Season 1 2025 and PGL Astana 2025, contributing to its climb in direction of the highest of the worldwide standings. Regardless of a good finish to the yr — ending the Budapest Main within the prime 4 — the choice to convey the pair again has the potential to introduce management and firepower able to taking Staff Spirit in direction of the very prime of Counter-Strike.
Cobrazera to The MongolZ
Regardless of topping the VRS in October 2025 because of its victory on the Esports World Cup, The MongolZ made the shock choice to maneuver Azbayar ‘Senzu’ Munkhbold to the bench for the rest of the yr. With little time to discover a appropriate substitute, Unudelger ‘controlez’ Baasanjargal stuffed in because the organisation seemed to finish the yr on a excessive be aware.
After a top-eight end on the Budapest Main, The MongolZ has recruited Anarbileg ‘cobrazera’ Uuganbayar to fill controlez’s footwear. The 20-year-old impressed within the decrease tiers of Counter-Strike esports, successful the ESN Fall Showdown 2025 in October earlier than ending his time with The Huns Esports with a top-12 placement at DraculaN Season 4. The participant has additionally compete in Tier 1 occasions comparable to BLAST Open Spring and the
Cobrazera’s arrival instead of Controlez might be seen as a dangerous technique for The MongolZ, having moved away from the latter’s skilled rifling. Controlez additionally joins The Huns Esports to finish the Mongolian shuffle.
The Mongolian aspect declined its invitation to compete in BLAST Bounty Season 1, which means cobrazera will make his Tier 1 debut at IEM Kraków 2026.
Phzy and Ryu to Astralis
The 2025 season proved turbulent for an Astralis aspect that struggled to search out its footing regardless of sometimes displaying glimpses of brilliance on the server. The Danish organisation managed to qualify for its first Main in three years, narrowly lacking out on a spot in Stage 3.
Following the Main, Emil ‘Magisk’ Reif left the group alongside Nicolai ‘dev1ce’ Reedtz, leaving the four-time Main winners on the lookout for two new recruits to finalise the roster for the upcoming season.
The transfer to a global group has confirmed profitable for a number of organisations, with FURIA climbing to the highest of the VRS. Shifting away from an all-Danish line-up is a step into the unknown for Astralis, however one that might show fruitful in the long term.
The Return of 100 Thieves
As an alternative of buying a core with superior positioning within the international standings, 100 Thieves has opted to deal with constructing a roster via competing in open LAN tournaments and high-profile on-line qualifiers because it goals to determine itself on the worldwide stage.
Danish AWPer dev1ce completes the beginning line-up, who joins forces with former teammate Lukas ‘gla1ve’ Rossander, who serves because the group’s Head Coach. With a wholesome mixture of youth and expertise on the roster, 100 Thieves is about to compete in Tier 2 occasions and open qualifiers to climb the standings and probably safe locations at high-profile tournaments.
The SAW Core Be part of BC.Sport
Since signing Counter-Strike legend Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyliev in July 2025, BC.Sport has struggled to make an affect on the worldwide scene, with failure to qualify for ESL Professional League Season 23 after shedding to Parivision within the regional finals.
In consequence, the net on line casino platform-backed group has signed the previous SAW core of Cristopher ‘MuTiRis’ Fernandes, Antonia ‘aragornN’ Barbosa, and Adones ‘krazy’ Nobre, leading to BC.Sport taking twenty second place in January’s VRS. Within the latter phases of 2025, SAW scored a third-place end at PGL Masters Bucharest earlier than ending the season with second place Roman Imperium Cup III.
In distinction to 100 Thieves, BC.Sport has acquired a longtime trio with a confirmed observe file of performing properly in high-profile tournaments. In consequence, all of it however ensures its place at Tier 1 occasions at first of 2026, enabling the group to compete in opposition to the easiest frequently.
Because of buying the trio, BC.Sport begins its 2026 season with a Tier 1 look at IEM Kraków, the place it has the chance to compete in opposition to Counter-Strike’s best.
Honourable Mentions
All through the low season, a number of groups made adjustments to their present rosters within the hopes of enhancing on final yr’s performances. Whereas these strikes could not have grabbed the headlines, the adjustments may spark a return to kind for groups which have generally struggled on the large phases.
Heading into the Budapest Main contemporary from victory at PGL Masters Bucharest, many thought of Aurora Gaming as a possible playoff contender. Following a shock Stage 2 elimination, the Serbian organisation moved Samet ‘jottAAA’ Köklü to the bench.
Taking jottAAA’s place is Caner ‘soulfly’ Kesici, who joins after a four-month tenure representing Fireplace Flux Esports in Tier 2 and Tier 3 competitions.
The change has already yielded success, with the group taking victory at Fragadelphia’s Frag Miami 2 occasion. Because of the occasion’s Tier 2 standing, NRG grabbed an invite to IEM Kraków, turning into the second North American group in attendance
