Valorant vs Counter-Strike 2: Which Will Be More Popular in 2025?

Valorant vs Counter-Strike 2 (source: viciplay}

Since its inception, VALORANT has often been compared to the legendary Counter-Strike franchise from Valve.The arrival of Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) in 2023 further intensifies this competition, especially in the esports world.With a unique ecosystem and different gameplay approaches, both games compete to win the hearts of esports fans worldwide.

The Ecosystem Competition Between VALORANT and CS2

source : esportid

Counter-Strike has a long history in the realm of esports, especially with a strong base in the EMEA region and South America, which have long been its fan centers.On the other hand, VALORANT, with its innovative approach through unique agents and special abilities, has successfully established its foothold in North America, China, and Korea.

In 2024, shifts began to be seen in both of these ecosystems.The Mongolz, a CS2 team from Mongolia, began to attract attention and bring a new wave of Asian fans to Counter-Strike.Events like the Perfect World Major Shanghai 2024, with a peak of 1.33 million viewers, are helping Counter-Strike expand its reach in the Asian region.Meanwhile, VALORANT is starting to attract attention in Europe, driven by the Masters Madrid tournament and the Kickoff Masters Bangkok 2025.

Data Viewership: CS2 Remains at the Top

source: Esports Charts

According to the Esports Charts report, Counter-Strike remains the leader in viewership for tactical shooter esports:

Counter-Strike 2:

PGL Major Copenhagen 2024: 1.85 million peak viewers.

Perfect World Major Shanghai 2024: 1.33 million viewers.

IEMKatowice 2025: Kicking off the year strongly, reaching 1.3 million peak viewers.

VALORANT:

VCT Masters Madrid 2024: 1.69 million peak viewers.

Champions 2024: 1.4 million viewers.

Masters Bangkok 2025: Becoming the Masters tournament with the highest viewership so far.

Although VALORANT has shown impressive numbers, CS2 continues to capture attention with its long history and solid narrative.Even with Riot Games' innovative strategies, VALORANT still hasn't been able to match the global hype created by CS2.

The Evolution of Gameplay and the Future of Tactical Shooters

One of the main differences between the two is their gameplay approach.CS2 maintains a focus on precise gunplay, while VALORANT increasingly highlights the unique abilities of agents that prioritize ability-based strategies over weapon mechanics.This difference attracts a new generation of players to dive directly into VALORANT, making it more independent from the influence of Counter-Strike.

In addition, VALORANT is starting to produce "native players" — professional players who develop directly within the VALORANT ecosystem without transitioning from Counter-Strike.This creates a new dynamic that could determine the future direction of tactical shooter esports.

source: ESL

Rivalries that Revive Global Esports

Both Counter-Strike 2 and VALORANT continue to boost the popularity of tactical shooter esports.With their unique approaches, both are expanding their ecosystems into new territories and attracting more fans.The year 2025 will witness their fierce competition, and fans can look forward to more surprises from both games.