It’s been simply over per week because the Austin Main 2025 wrapped up, and it was an absolute BLAST (pun meant). However even with the mud barely settled, CS2 followers are already asking for an additional Main event in North America.
This time, although, it’s not nearly one other Main within the practically forgotten area. The group is rallying round a extra sentimental concept: bringing a Counter-Strike Main to the true birthplace of the legendary recreation.
NA has solely hosted 4 out of the 22 CS Main Championships thus far, all of them in the US. Not a single Main has taken place the place the sport was actually created. And for a lot of followers, that simply doesn’t sit proper anymore.
Ask a bunch of CS followers the place Counter-Strike was born, and also you’ll get solutions like Sweden, the U.S., or “someplace in Europe.” Yeah, these locations have been pivotal to the sport’s aggressive scene, particularly Sweden, which produced legendary gamers and groups (that legendary NiP squad with the unbreakable 60-game and 87-0 map win streak).
However when you’re speaking concerning the precise origin of the sport? Dig a bit deeper into the sport’s roots, and also you’ll discover out all of it factors to Canada. Its unique creator, Canadian-Vietnamese developer Minh Le (also called Gooseman), was ending his fourth 12 months at Simon Fraser College in Burnaby in 1999. Alongside Jess Cliffe, he created the long-lasting Half-Life mod that will quickly explode in recognition.
What started as a enjoyable aspect undertaking finally turned one of the iconic franchises in gaming historical past, and what many esports followers consider as the best esport on the planet. Valve noticed the mod’s potential, picked it up, and the remaining is historical past. Quick ahead 25 years, and Counter-Strike is now in its fifth technology with CS2, however Canada nonetheless hasn’t hosted a Main.
That stunning reality has just lately sparked a renewed push from followers on Reddit. Following the profitable staging of Austin Main, the group is as soon as once more calling on Valve to honor the sport’s humble Canadian beginnings with a world-class occasion.
“Counter-Strike was birthed in Canada. When will we get a Canada Main?” a Redditor wrote. “Hear, I’m Canadian and simply need to see a Main the place it began—in Canada.” One other chimed in: “Vancouver Main for the sake of Gooseman, please.”
Followers have pointed to clear frontrunners for potential host cities, with Vancouver and Toronto main the way in which. Each have confirmed monitor data on the subject of main esports occasions. Vancouver hosted Dota 2’s The Worldwide 2018 (TI8) and is at present staging the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational 2025. In the meantime, VALORANT Masters Toronto concluded across the similar time because the Austin Main, exhibiting that Canada’s prime cities are greater than able to dealing with a number of high-profile tournaments.
Nonetheless, some group members identified potential obstacles for organizers and esports groups. Excessive taxes, costly lodging, and venue logistics may make organizing a Main in Canada a little bit of a headache. The dearth of a dominant Canadian squad on the CS2 scene for the time being may additionally make it more durable to generate native hype or promote out an enviornment.
Nonetheless, many followers argue that nostalgia and historical past are purpose sufficient. Counter-Strike wouldn’t exist within the type we all know it at this time with out that little faculty undertaking. Giving Canada its first Main wouldn’t simply be cool, it might be a full-circle second for the sport and its legacy. With CS2 nonetheless carving out its id and Valve making an effort to maintain the Main circuit alive, I consider now could be the right time to honor the place it began.
It’s time to convey Counter-Strike house.
