Danish esports organisation Astralis has mutually parted methods with Counter-Strike 2 participant Martin ‘stavn‘ Lund after stepping away from the beginning line-up in August.
Introduced on January seventh, 2026, the organisation revealed that it held “open and respectful conversations” leading to stavn being launched from his contract earlier and offering him the chance to discover choices to proceed competing with a brand new crew.
Stavn turns into the third participant to depart Astralis in current weeks because it seems to be to rebuild the roster earlier than the season will get underway. In late 2025, Nicolai ‘dev1ce’ Reedtz and Emil ‘Magisk‘ Reif left the organisation because it seems to be to pursue a global course.
“Martin is just not solely a unbelievable participant and particular person, however has been a real skilled and a pleasure to work with all through his time at Astralis,” wrote the organisation on social media. “We’re deeply grateful for all the pieces he has contributed to the crew, and we’ll be cheering him on as and when he takes his subsequent steps – on and off the server.”
Stavn joined Astralis in November 2023, competing at a number of high-profile tournaments all through 2025. The Dane scored consecutive second-place finishes at PGL Astana 2025 and FISSURE Playground 1.
What Subsequent For Astralis?
Presently ranked fifteenth within the Valve Regional Standings (VRS), Astralis is one in every of 32 groups set to compete in BLAST Bounty Season 1, the primary Tier 1 occasion of the 2026 season.
The organisation has but to disclose the 2 gamers finishing the five-man roster, regardless of the closed qualifiers for BLAST Bounty starting on January thirteenth.
The five-day on-line qualifiers will see groups competing for eight locations on the LAN finals and a possibility to start the 12 months on the entrance foot with a high-profile occasion together with all-important VRS factors.
