G2 Esports and Mild Mates invited to Stake Ranked Ep.1 Important Occasion

G2 Esports and Mild Mates are among the many six groups to obtain direct invites to the Stake Ranked Ep.1 predominant occasion.

The Tier 2 Counter-Strike 2 match, operated by StarLadder, sees eight groups compete for a share of its $100,000 (~£75,204) prize pool.

The invitations had been determined utilizing February’s Valve Regional Standings (VRS), with G2 Esports heading into the match because the highest-ranked group. In March’s international standings, the worldwide roster climbed into the highest ten following a top-six end at IEM Krakow 2026 and a top-11 placement at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026.

Becoming a member of G2 Esports is the all-Spanish roster of Mild Mates, one other roster that has made important strides in the VRS. The group has climbed 12 locations to fifteenth, overtaking the likes of GamerLegion and HEROIC, two groups which might be additionally in attendance.

Rounding out the invited groups are Ninjas in Pyjamas and BetBoom Staff. The Swedish organisation has struggled to construct on its Roman Imperium Cup III victory in December 2025, whereas the all-Russian roster has impressed throughout a number of Tier 2 occasions this yr, with a third-place end at Roman Imperium Cup V and qualification for IEM Atlanta 2026.

Alongside the six invited groups, two groups from the closed qualifier will advance to the primary occasion for an opportunity to compete towards established names because the race for a spot on the IEM Cologne Main heats up.

Earlier than Counter-Strike’s elevated concentrate on the VRS, Tier 2 tournaments hardly ever attracted bigger organisations competing in Counter-Strike esports. With a number of match organisers internet hosting smaller tournaments that fall beneath Valve’s pointers, it gives groups on the cusp of Main qualification with a possibility to earn factors exterior of the high-profile Tier 1 occasions.

For StarLadder and Stake, attracting notable names for its debut occasion is a constructive, because it appears to be like to cement itself amongst established Tier 2 match organisers.