The NCS Counter-Strike 2 tournament sets the stage for a professionally organized competition with eight participating teams.
This comprehensive rule set defines the standards and expectations for all participants, and by registering, players and teams agree to adhere to these guidelines and respect the authority of the tournament administrators. The tournament follows a two-part format with an initial group stage followed by playoffs.
The group stage serves as a seeding period, where eight teams are divided into two groups of four based on their overall performance in other tournaments, FACEIT ELO, individual ratings, and team consistency.
The top four teams are placed in Pot 1, while the remaining four make up Pot 2. All group matches are played as Best-of-One (Bo1), and although all teams advance to the playoffs, the results of the group stage determine the crucial seeding for the elimination phase.
This ensures that every match matters for the teams' progression in the tournament. The playoff structure follows a double elimination bracket system, where the Upper Bracket consists of Bo1 matches until the Upper Final, which is played as Bo3.
The Lower Bracket exclusively uses the Bo3 format, and the Grand Final is also decided in a Bo3 series.
This structure gives teams a second chance, even after an early loss. The veto process varies between Bo1 and Bo3 matches with specific pick-ban sequences.
For Bo1 matches, Team A removes two maps, Team B removes three, Team A removes one, and Team B chooses the starting side.
The Bo3 process is more complex with alternating picks and bans, ensuring strategic depth across all three potential maps. Team compositions are strictly regulated with a roster lock deadline four weeks before the tournament starts.
Each team may register one substitute, who must be approved by the administrators.
This ensures stability and prevents last-minute roster changes that could affect the tournament's integrity. The prize pool of 7,500 DKK is distributed with 5,000 DKK to the winner and 2,500 DKK to the runner-up.
Payout occurs within 30 days after the tournament ends but requires valid billing information from the teams.
Failure to submit within 90 days results in forfeiture of the prize. Matches are played 5v5 on the latest stable version of Counter-Strike 2, and a team must have a minimum of four players to continue.
Disconnects during active rounds must be completed, but pauses can be initiated after the round ends.
This rule ensures the flow and fairness of the matches. Each team gets three 30-second tactical pauses per map plus one extra per overtime period.
Technical pauses of 10 minutes can be requested via !tech in the chat, but coaches may not communicate during these pauses.
All forms of communication between players and coaches are prohibited during technical pauses. Strategic notes and tactical information must be printed on paper before the match, as players may not alt-tab or leave the game client during live gameplay.
Digital reference materials are banned on player PCs, and printed materials may only be consulted during pauses and halftime.
This ensures clean competition without digital aids. Broadcasting rules allow live transmission of tactical pauses including team communication, so players must be aware that their strategic discussions may be heard by the audience.
Technical pauses are not broadcasted to protect competitive integrity. Each team may register one coach, who must bring their own laptop and connect via TeamSpeak.
Coaches may only communicate during tactical pauses and halftime and must adhere to the same conduct rules as the players.
They must remain in designated areas throughout the match. The tournament uses the official CS2 Active Duty map pool consisting of Ancient, Dust2, Inferno, Mirage, Nuke, Overpass, and Train.
This ensures that all teams compete on the most relevant and balanced maps in the current meta. Equipment requirements are extensive: players must use standard game files, may not use in-game agent skins, must bring a webcam and a minimum 10-meter LAN cable.
Phones are confiscated during matches, and custom HUDs, scripts, or third-party tools are strictly prohibited.
Administrators may request config files before the event. Conduct rules require professionalism and sportsmanship from all participants.
Trash talk is allowed within reasonable limits, but excessive, targeted, or disruptive behavior may result in warnings, penalties, or disqualification.
Administrators have the final authority to determine when the line is crossed. Cheating, match-fixing, and betting on tournament matches are categorically prohibited and result in disqualification and permanent exclusion from future NCS events.
All communication with the tournament staff is confidential, and players may not share internal decisions or disputes publicly without written permission. Media obligations include participating in scheduled activities such as interviews, photos, and press conferences.
Failure to comply may result in penalties or prize reductions.
Players must wear team jerseys or approved matching attire during official media appearances and matches. The authority of the tournament administrators is absolute with final authority over all matters.
All decisions are binding without the possibility of appeal, and administrators may disqualify teams at any time without obligation to provide further explanation.
In case of disqualification, the registration fee is not refunded, regardless of the reason.