Thunderpick is back with the Thunderpick World Championship in 2026. Top teams from across the globe will face of for a $1 million USD prize pool – remaining the highest prize offered by a bookmaker. The event reinforces our commitment to supporting, growing and elevating the esports ecosystem.
Now in its fourth year, the event never ceases to surprise and delight fans. In last year’s finale, FURIA pulled off the shockingly rare and extremely dominant reverse sweep of NaVi in a 3-2 Grand Final. This is shaping up to be even better with regional qualifiers across Europe, North America and South America and a high-stakes LAN Finals event in Malta.
Thunderpick World Championship 2026 Schedule
The full 2026 event schedule is as follows:
- TWC EU1: 23rd – 31st May
- TWC NA1: 26th April – 3rd May
- TWC SA1: 24th – 28th June
- TWC SA2: 8th – 12th July
- TWC EU2: 25th July – 2nd August
- TWC Finals Closed Qualifier: 9th – 13th September
- TWC Finals Malta (LAN): 12th – 19th October
All matches are broadcast live on twitch.tv/thunderpicktv and youtube.com/@Thunderpickesports
“Thunderpick has always been about giving players and fans what they deserve, a world-class stage and an inclusive, global competition that celebrates the best of CS2,” said Kelly Sanders, Head of Strategy at Thunderpick. “With TWC 2026, $1M is once again up for grabs and we’re excited to showcase top-tier talent, while being introduced to up-and-coming teams from across the map, as they all meet and continue to create esports history together.”
Who’s invited?
The online qualifiers will feature teams invited via the Valve Ranking System (VRS), Wildcards and Direct Invitees. As the individual stages will make use of the VRS, specific team invites per stage will be issued closer to the time. Expect a mix of recognisable names and teams on the rise. 2025 saw Legacy make a breakout run in NA Series #1 beating NRG to qualify for the Closed Qualifiers. That same team would be the first team to take a map off of the untouchable Vitality. And that’s to say nothing of 2024’s winners, The MongolZ who burst onto the scene and really cemented themselves in CS History after taking TWC 2024.
Made by gamers for gamers
Thunderpick is the premier esports platform with a massive selection of events and markets to participate in and watch via high-quality live streams. Enabled by world-leading technology, Thunderpick’s platform offers lightning-fast, easy, and fee-free payment solutions, a large Welcome Bonus for new users, and various giveaways and contests, to provide an electrifying value to the players.
