Key Takeaways:
- ESL adds Overpass immediately to all events, starting with IEM Cologne.
- BLAST adopts Overpass starting August 1, with Anubis still used in July qualifiers.
- Competitive scene evolves as players adapt to a reshaped Active Duty pool in time for IEM Cologne and beyond.
Following Valve’s decision to replace Anubis with Overpass in Counter-Strike 2’s Active Duty map pool, top tournament organizers ESL and BLAST have swiftly adjusted their competitive lineups. These changes mark a significant shift for professional CS2 players and teams preparing for high-stakes events in 2025 and beyond.
ESL Updates Map Pool for IEM Cologne and Pro League
ESL announced that Overpass will return to its events “with immediate effect.” This means that IEM Cologne 2025, one of the most prestigious S-Tier CS2 tournaments, will be the first to feature the reintroduced map. Overpass replaces Anubis across all ESL Pro Tour and Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) competitions to match Valve’s current Active Duty pool.
However, qualifiers for ESL Pro League Season 22, which are still ongoing, will continue using the previous version of the map pool, ensuring consistency for participants already competing.
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BLAST Implements Overpass in August
BLAST will adopt Overpass in its map pool starting August 1, 2025. The first tournament to use the updated map rotation will be the BLAST Rising qualifiers. Open qualifiers held in July will retain Anubis, giving players and teams a final chance to compete with the soon-to-be-retired map.
With both ESL and BLAST aligning with Valve’s latest updates, Overpass will be a central fixture in the professional scene moving forward. PGL and StarLadder have yet to announce their map pool decisions.
IEM Cologne Set to Kick Off New Era
IEM Cologne 2025 is set to be the first major event showcasing Overpass’ return at the highest level. The tournament will bring together 24 elite teams to battle for a $1 million prize pool and valuable Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points.
As part of the ongoing ESL Grand Slam series, IEM Cologne offers a potential milestone for Team Vitality, who lead the current standings after their IEM Dallas victory. Four more wins would earn them back-to-back Grand Slams — and an additional $1 mill
Conclusion: What This Means for CS2 Esports
The return of Overpass to CS2 esports is more than just a map change — it’s a shake-up that impacts strategy, team preparation, and the upcoming tournament meta.
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