This year’s Austin Counter-Strike 2 Major was a huge moment for North American esports. Hosted at the Moody Center, it marked the first CS Major ever held in Texas.

Thousands of fans came together June 19-22 to watch some of the best teams in the world compete live. It didn’t feel like just a tournament. It felt like Counter-Strike had finally arrived here in a big way.

What stood out most was how smooth everything was. The matches started on time, there weren’t any major delays, and everything just worked. The production quality felt high without being over-the-top. It let the gameplay shine.

NA Crowd, NA Favorites

The loudest moment of the weekend happened during FaZe Clan’s intro. With Elige and s1mple both on the team, two of the biggest names in CS, the crowd absolutely erupted. When s1mple’s face came up on the big screen, people jumped out of their seats. These players aren’t just popular. They’ve been part of the CS story for years. Seeing them live hit differently.

The crowd itself was one of the best parts of the event. Chants, signs, old team jerseys, people cheering between rounds. You could feel how much it meant to be there. The community showed up in full force.

A Global Crowd, A Local Moment

While I was grabbing concessions, the woman behind the counter asked where I was from. I told her Texas. She smiled and said I was the first Texan she had spoken to all weekend. That really hit me. Even in the middle of Austin, being from Texas felt rare. People flew in from everywhere. That quick conversation said a lot about how global Counter-Strike really is.

What Was Happening Outside the Arena

The concourses were packed between matches. Fans were lining up to try 1v1 aim booths for small prizes, checking out merch, entering raffles, or just walking around talking CS. I didn’t get many photos from that part of the event, but it added a lot to the experience. There was always something going on, even outside the main stage.

Austin Vibes

The Moody Center turned out to be a great venue. The lighting, screens, and stage setups made the matches feel big without being overproduced. Between games, I snapped some crowd shots and a few scenic frames that reminded me how cool it was to have this kind of event in a place like Austin. It felt both high energy and personal.

Whether you’ve followed CS for years or just got into it recently, this Major delivered. Hopefully it’s not a one-off. It deserves to come back.

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Cover photo Reagan Love

Reagan Love is a longtime fan of Counter-Strike who used to compete at a lower level before stepping away to focus on college and a new career. Even though he’s no longer playing competitively, his love for the game hasn’t faded. He continues to follow the scene closely and enjoys sharing his perspective on the esports world.