Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is one of the most popular online games in the world, so tournaments are a crucial aspect of it. The fanbase not only loves participating in tournaments but also watching their favorite teams like Virtus.pro in action. It cannot be denied that CS:GO played a significant role in popularizing the concept of eSport and bringing the attention of public opinion to gaming. Nowadays, there are numerous competitions and tournaments held each year, not only for CS:GO, but also for other popular games like DOTA 2 and League of Legends. Ranging from small, local competitions to worldwide tournaments, the CS:GO scene offers a lot, not only in terms of monetary prizes for winning events but also in terms of its significance within the broader eSport scene.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has been instrumental in shaping the eSport landscape as we know it today. Its popularity is undeniable, and even if you've never played CS:GO, you've likely heard of renowned teams such as Virtus.Pro or Fnatic. In this article, we aim to provide you with information about the most significant CS:GO tournaments of 2023. The CS:GO community eagerly awaits these events and for good reason.

Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2023

IIf we're discussing the most significant CS:GO tournaments in 2023 (or in general), Intel Extreme Masters is a tournament that cannot be overlooked. It is, after all, the longest-running global professional gaming tour in the world. It was established as early as 2006 by ESL, and today, the tournament showcases the top teams and players in games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Starcraft II. In 2023, IEM will be held in Rio De Janeiro at the Jeunesse Arena, with the highlight event being the ESL Pro Tour Masters. The tournament promises to be a thrilling display of skill, with 16 elite CS:GO teams from around the world competing, including:

• Natus Vincere;

• FaZe Clan;

• Team Vitality;

• Mouz;

• Fnatic;

• NIP;

• Furia eSports;

• Heroic;

• Cloud9;

• Virtus.pro;

• OG;

• 9Ine;

• BIG;

• TheMongolz;

• MIBR;

• 9Z Team;

The prize pool is $250,000, and tickets for this amazing experience cost between $65 and $500. If you're looking for the perfect CS:GO experience, Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2023 is an event you won't want to miss. The tournament runs from April 17th to April 23rd, 2023. Rio de Janeiro, with its warm and stunning beauty, awaits CS:GO players and fans. The lineup of participating teams indicates that we can expect a high-quality competition. Don't miss out on the chance to be a part of this incredible event.

BLAST Paris Major

The BLAST Paris Major is undoubtedly the largest CS:GO tournament of 2023. Over the course of two weeks, 24 teams from CIS, Europe, North America, Asia, and South America will compete against each other for a total prize of $1,250,000, BLAST Premiere season points, and qualification for IEM Cologne 2023 and the BLAST Premiere World Final. What makes this tournament so intriguing? Firstly, this marks the first time BLAST is hosting a championship of this magnitude, and it will be interesting to see how they handle it. Additionally, this tournament is the first event of its scale to be organized in France, a country that aspires to be a driving force in the eSport industry. The tournament starts on May 8th, 2023 and ends on May 21st, 2023. Examples of teams participating in the qualification round include:

• NaVi;

• Fnatic;

• FaZe Clan;

• Virtus.pro;

• Heroic;

• G2 ESPORTS;

• Furia;

• Team Liquid;

• TyLoo;

These are sure to be two intense and captivating weeks. However, some fans have expressed concerns that the BLAST company may not be equipped to handle such a tournament. We, however, are optimistic and believe that BLAST will deliver an exceptional experience.

IEM Dallas – LAN Tournament

IEM Dallas returns once again as part of the incredible DreamHack experience. Dallas is the home of the NACS team, leading fans to speculate if the team will claim victory in their hometown. The top teams from around the world will compete at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, hosted as part of the DreamHack gaming festival, which is open to all attendees of the event. In addition to the tournament, attendees can also take part in all aspects of the festival, including gaming expos, musical acts, and the OG BYOC LAN experience, all available with a single ticket. Offering a truly unparalleled experience for gamers, tickets for DreamHack are surprisingly budget-friendly, ranging from $89 (for a standard 3-day ticket) to $499 (for a 3-day pass that includes a desk and chair for your personal gaming station). The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center will host the event from June 2nd to June 4th. Participating teams are:

• Heroic;

• Team Liquid;

• G2 Esports;

• Furia;

• ENCE;

• Complexity;

• Virtus.Pro;

• FaZe Clan;

• MOUZ;

• Cloud9;

• Astralis;

• Nouns;

• Grayhound.Rivalry;

• Evil Geniuses;

• 2 other teams (unknown at the time of writing);

Undoubtedly, it will be a highly intriguing competition to watch. When combined with the DreamHack event, it promises to be an ultimate experience for gamers worldwide. This is a chance you won't want to miss.

Blast Spring Finals in Washington, D.C.

The first LAN tournament of the 2023 season, the BLAST Premier Spring Finals, is set to take place in Washington D.C., one of the most significant cities in the United States. This marks the return of BLAST events to the USA after a hiatus since 2019. The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 7th to 11th, 2023. Eight teams will participate in the tournament and battle for the $450,000 prize pool.

• Heroic;

• G2 eSports;

• FaZe Clan;

• NAVI;

• Vitality;

• Astralis;

• Cloud9;

• Imperial;

IEM Cologne – LAN Tournament

For many teams, IEM Cologne is considered one of the most important Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournaments of the year. Players and fans from all over the world will converge at IEM Cologne, Europe's largest CS:GO eSport event, also referred to as The Cathedral of Counter-Strike. Twenty-four teams will compete for coveted prizes, including a $1 million prize pool and the EPT Championship title, one of the most sought-after titles in the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive eSport scene. The tournament is scheduled to take place from August 4th to 6th, 2023. Ticket prices range from $50 to $1200 (for the God Mode Lounge ticket). Germany and the picturesque city of Cologne are eagerly awaiting CS:GO fans and players. Don't miss this unmissable event.

ESL Pro League Season 18 - LAN tournament

The ESL Pro League is the largest CS:GO league, featuring 32 teams competing in three phases: the Conference Stage (with 23 teams divided into five regions), the Group Stage (with 32 teams participating in a Triple Elimination Bracket), and the Playoff Stage (with the top 16 teams competing in a Single Elimination Bracket). It is a lengthy event, taking place from August 30th to October 1st, 2023. The prizes are substantial, with teams battling for a $850,000 prize pool, 3,000 ranking points for Blast Premier, and a spot in IEM Katowice 2024 and the Blast World Final 2023. As of now, the confirmed teams participating in the League are:

• G2;

• FaZe;

• Heroic;

• NAVI;

• Liquid;

• Vitality;

• ENCE;

• MOUZ;

• Furia;

• Fnatic;

• Complexity;

• Astralis;

• BIG;

• Ninjas in Pyjamas;

• MIBR;

• Monte;

• Evil Geniuses;

• Lynn Vision;

It promises to be a long, fast-paced, and intense season, as the top CS:GO players face off against each other. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. FaZe Clan emerged victorious in Season 17, with Cloud9, NAVI, and Ence as the runners-up. It's worth mentioning that the league is a crucial event in the schedule of every professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team, due to the substantial rewards on offer.

BLAST Premier Fall Final 2023

The top eight teams in the world will compete in the Blast Premier Fall Final 2023, taking place from November 22nd to 26th, 2023. The tournament features a $425,000 prize pool, but the coveted rewards for the teams are a spot in the Blast Premier World Finals 2023 and 3,000 Blast Premier ranking points. Undoubtedly, this tournament promises to be an intriguing and highly anticipated event, not to be missed. It's a highly prestigious tournament, attracting both fans and professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players.

BLAST Premier World Final

The Blast Premier World Final is undoubtedly one of the most crucial CS:GO tournaments of 2023. Taking place from December 13th to December 17th, the tournament will feature eight top-performing teams competing for a grand prize of $1,000,000. FaZe Clan secured their spot among the eight teams by winning the ESL Pro League 17. We eagerly anticipate the Blast Premier World Final, which promises to be an incredible event. Additionally, the tournament will determine the top team of 2023.

The most important CS:GO Tournaments in 2023 – summary

In general, the tournaments mentioned are considered the most significant events in the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) calendar this year. However, they are not the only ones that fans of the game can enjoy in 2023. There are numerous smaller tournaments, events, and competitions, which fans can either participate in as a team or simply watch through streaming services. The abundance of events, tournaments, and the like each year highlights the significance of CS:GO in the development of the eSport scene. Without the game, the eSport world would not be as thriving as it is now. It's worth noting that some fans might wonder which of these tournaments are worth attending or watching. Our opinion is that all of them are important, as they are critical events for the CS:GO community.