Valve Updates CS2 VRS Rules for Multi-Region Teams

Valve Revamps CS2 VRS Rules: Multi-Region Teams Now Assigned to Stronger Region

Valve has rolled out a big update regarding its Valve Regional Standings (VRS) system for Counter-Strike 2 esports. This will directly influence the team ranking and major qualifications.

Under this new rule, a squad will show up in only one region’s chart, even if its players are from multiple regions. The update aims to make the qualification process much easier and also to prevent regional manipulation.

These changes will impact the teams that have players from more than one region. The update will implement before the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025.

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One Region Per Team: Stronger Region Takes Precedence

Before the new rule, squads had players from both North America and Europe. They could choose which area they wanted to represent. But in the latest update, Valve has discontinued that policy. If the lineup is evenly split, Valve automatically assigns the team.

Under the new rule, if Team Liquid has three Europeans and one North American, it will appear in the European scoreboard. Wildcard, with an equal number of North American and European players, is also placed in the European region. Locking every squad to a single flag cuts confusion and closes doors on loopholes during the long qualification race.

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Budapest Major to Use Fresh VRS-Only Qualification System

Valve has cancelled the previous Major Regional Qualifiers (MRQs) for the StarLadder Budapest Major Qualification, leaving team entry entirely in the hands of VRS standings. The tweak boosts the new ranking board, as it now serves as the single gate for the second CS2 Major of 2025, which runs from November 24 to December 14.

The New Rule aims to tighten regional integrity and lift the pressure on mixed-zone squads while still spelling out a clear and consistent qualifying path within each area.

The Community is reacting positively to this new update and accepting the changes to move further fairly, and in better-balanced competition in CS2. With the Budapest Major as an initial experiment, fans and players will be watching closely to see how the new rule shapes esports worldwide.