StarLadder
StarLadder is a Cyprus-headquartered esports tournament organizer, founded in 2001 and owned by Nodwin Gaming since 2025, that produces Counter-Strike 2 Majors, the StarSeries flagship circuit, and Tier-2 LAN tournaments (Stake Ranked, LORGAR RANKINGS) for professional CS2 teams, global viewers, and brand sponsors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersLimassol, Cyprus
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What StarLadder does
StarLadder (legal entity Starladder Ltd, headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus) is a privately held esports tournament organizer founded in 2001 and operating as a fully-owned subsidiary of Nodwin Gaming (Nazara Technologies) since January 2025. The company specializes in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) competitions across three tiers: Valve-sanctioned Majors (most recently the Budapest Major 2025 with 32 teams and a $1,250,000 prize pool), the recurring StarSeries multi-season flagship (seasons 19-22 scheduled across 2025-2028 with prize pools around $500,000), and Tier-2 LAN circuits including Stake Ranked (six $100,000-prize-pool episodes in 2026 with Stake) and LORGAR RANKINGS (an 18-country Eastern European tournament with a $50,000 prize pool).
The product portfolio is anchored on the StarLadder Esports Platform (starladder.com) supporting member accounts, team creation, and tournament participation, complemented by FACEIT-powered qualifiers and a multi-platform broadcast stack distributed across Twitch, YouTube, and Kick, enhanced through partner integrations such as the Runestone Twitch extension, Scope.gg analytics, and Personar TrackSwift voice transcription. Underlying infrastructure includes tournament management and live event production capability at venues including the 20,000-seat MVM Dome in Budapest.
Revenue is generated across four streams: (1) tournament production and organizational fees; (2) sponsorship and partnership revenue from title and category partners (Monster Energy, Intel/Alienware, Stake, Rollbit, Blacklyte, ZOWIE by BenQ, and others); (3) broadcasting and streaming rights revenue, with Kick contributing approximately 50% of streaming revenue; and (4) ticket sales for live event attendance via TicketFairy. Headcount is 51-100 employees and the customer base splits into professional/semi-pro CS2 teams (B2B in name only, no direct revenue), global esports viewers (free streaming audience monetized via platform revenue share and sponsor media value), and a concentrated set of brand and betting sponsors that drive the bulk of direct revenue.
StarLadder firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- StarLadder
- Legal name
- Starladder Ltd
- Website
- https://starladder.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- StarLadder is a Cyprus-headquartered esports tournament organizer, founded in 2001 and owned by Nodwin Gaming since 2025, that produces Counter-Strike 2 Majors, the StarSeries flagship circuit, and Tier-2 LAN tournaments (Stake Ranked, LORGAR RANKINGS) for professional CS2 teams, global viewers, and brand sponsors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
StarLadder industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Esports Tournament Organization & Broadcasting
- akta.pro primary industry
- Major Championship Events & World Finals (MPAKANAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Publisher-Run Esports Leagues & Circuits (MPAKANAA), Championship & Cup Organizers (MPAKADAB), Publisher-Run Esports Tournament Circuits (MPAGANAA)
Keywords
Where StarLadder is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Limassol
- HQ country
- Cyprus
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
StarLadder business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tournament Production and Organization: StarLadder generates revenue by organizing and producing esports tournaments, including Major Championships and StarSeries events, charging organizational fees and operational margins.
- Broadcasting and Streaming Rights: Revenue from streaming across multiple platforms (Twitch, YouTube, Kick) with monetization varying by platform - Twitch contributed 25% of revenue across 16 playdays, YouTube achieved comparable results in final playoff days, Kick accounted for approximately 50%.
- Sponsorship and Partnership: Partnerships with title sponsors (Monster Energy), official partners (Intel, Alienware), technology partners, and betting partners (Stake, Rollbit) providing sponsorship revenue.
- Ticket Sales and Event Revenue: Revenue from ticket sales for tournament attendance, including group stages and playoffs at venues like MVM Dome and MTK Sportpark.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Prize Pool |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
StarLadder product offering
Product offeringCore offering
StarLadder is a professional esports tournament organizer and broadcaster that produces, hosts and streams competitive Counter-Strike 2 and other esports events worldwide. Its portfolio includes Valve-sanctioned Major Championships (Budapest Major 2025, Berlin Major 2026), the long-running StarSeries circuit, the Stake Ranked Tier-2 LAN series, the LORGAR RANKINGS regional circuit for Eastern Europe, and the StarLadder Esports Platform for daily online competition.
Product overview
StarLadder is an esports tournament organizer and online platform founded in 2001, offering a tiered portfolio of Counter-Strike 2 products. At the top tier, the Major product encompasses Valve-sponsored CS2 Majors (Tier S) featuring 32 teams, million-dollar prize pools, and broadcasts across Twitch, YouTube, and Kick. The StarSeries serves as the flagship multi-season tournament series with seasons across 2026–2028, each featuring 8 teams and ~$500,000 prize pools. Mid-tier regional products include Stake Ranked (a Tier-2 LAN circuit with 6 planned episodes in 2026, each with $100,000 prize pools) and LORGAR RANKINGS (a Tier-2 tournament for Eastern Europe spanning 18 countries with a $50,000 prize pool). Supporting platform services include the StarLadder Esports Platform for account management, team creation, and tournament participation, with qualifier operations powered by FACEIT and broadcasts enhanced by the Runestone Twitch extension providing interactive overlays.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- StarSeries: StarLadder's flagship tournament series featuring top-tier Counter-Strike competitions. The series has multiple seasons and has been running since 2012.
- Stake Ranked
Products and services
- Budapest Major 2025 (Counter-Strike 2 Major Championship) Counter-Strike 2 Major Championship hosted by StarLadder in Budapest, sanctioned by Valve, featuring 24 professional CS2 teams competing for prize money and Major-level VRS points that determine Legends/Challengers status for future Majors. Targeted at professional esports teams, sponsors, and the global CS2 viewing audience.
- Berlin Major 2026 (Counter-Strike 2 Major Championship) Counter-Strike 2 Major Championship awarded to StarLadder for 2026 in Berlin, the second consecutive Major to be hosted by the company following Budapest 2025, reinforcing its standing as a trusted Valve tournament partner.
- StarSeries StarLadder's flagship multi-season Counter-Strike tournament circuit (e.g., StarSeries i-League, StarSeries Season 19), designed as a recurring competitive property between Majors. Targeted at professional CS2 teams seeking VRS points and prize money, and at brand sponsors seeking recurring broadcast inventory.
- Stake Ranked Title-sponsored Counter-Strike 2 Tier-2 LAN tournament circuit, with Stake as title sponsor, designed to give second-tier professional CS2 teams regular LAN competition and VRS points opportunities. Targeted at Tier-2 professional teams, sponsor partners, and CS2 viewers.
- LORGAR RANKINGS Regional Tier-2 Counter-Strike 2 tournament circuit covering Eastern European countries (Moldova, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria), designed to develop regional CS2 talent and provide a pathway to higher-tier competitions. Targeted at semi-professional CS2 teams and players across Eastern Europe.
- StarLadder Esports Platform Online tournament platform hosting daily Counter-Strike competitions from amateur to semi-professional level, complementing StarLadder's LAN-based properties. Targeted at amateur and semi-professional CS2 players seeking regular online competition.
Quantifiable outcome
- Budapest Major 2025 featured 32 of the world's top CS2 teams competing for $1,250,000
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use StarLadder
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
StarLadder technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
StarLadder partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- LORGARcoreLORGAR, a gaming peripherals and PC manufacturer, partnered with StarLadder to launch LORGAR RANKINGS - a new Counter-Strike 2 Tier-2 tournament for Eastern Europe. The tournament runs February 28 to April 26, 2026, covering 18 European countries with a $50,000 prize pool and Valve Tier-2 status.
- StakeflagshipStake, the global leading betting platform, partnered with StarLadder to launch Stake Ranked - a new series of Counter-Strike 2 LAN tournaments. The partnership delivers six episodes of Tier 2 LAN tournaments in 2026 across Europe, with StarLadder organizing and producing all events. Stake Ranked features $100,000 prize pools per episode.
- ZOWIE by BenQminorZOWIE by BenQ supplied XL2586X+ monitors for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 esports tournament, providing professional-grade display technology for competitive play.
- Monster EnergyflagshipMonster Energy, a leading global energy drink brand, became the Title Partner of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. The partnership unites one of the world's most recognized energy drink brands with the anticipated CS2 Major event of 2025.
- RunestonecoreRunestone serves as the official data and integrity partner for the Budapest CS2 Major, providing real-time data operations, competitive integrity services, and an interactive Twitch extension for enhanced viewer engagement.
- Scope.ggcoreScope.gg became the Official Analytics Partner of the Budapest Major 2025, providing comprehensive match analytics including round-by-round replays, player statistics, economic insights, clutch analysis, and automatic highlight clips.
- PersonarcorePersonar, an AI sports technology provider, partnered as the Official Technology Partner for Budapest Major 2025. Their TrackSwift platform enables live voice communication transcription, replays, and fan engagement features during broadcasts.
- Intel and AlienwarecoreIntel and Alienware joined as Official Partners for the Budapest Major 2025, providing high-performance gaming hardware and innovative solutions including processors and pro-grade PCs for the tournament.
- Bergh Special Products (BSP)minorBergh Special Products, a European manufacturer of mobility accessories, partnered with StarLadder to make the Budapest Major 2025 more inclusive by providing custom wheelchair spoke guards for accessibility.
- RollbitcoreRollbit, a cryptocurrency casino platform, continued its partnership as the Official Betting Partner for the Budapest Major 2025, building on successful collaboration from StarSeries 19.
- BlacklyteminorBlacklyte, a gaming furniture manufacturer, joined as the Official Furniture Partner for the Budapest Major 2025, providing Athena Pro Gaming Chairs and Atlas Lite Standing Desks for player setups.
- Esports ChartscoreEsports Charts, the leading esports viewership analytics provider, partnered as the official viewership analytics partner for both StarSeries 19 and the Budapest Major 2025, providing real-time audience data and insights.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
StarLadder competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PGL Esports: PGL is a Romanian esports tournament organizer that has hosted CS:GO/CS2 Majors (PGL Major Stockholm 2021, PGL Major Copenhagen 2024) and operates Dota 2 events. Direct competitor for Valve Major hosting slots and Counter-Strike event market share.
- DreamHack: DreamHack (now part of ESL FACEIT Group) is a Swedish esports event organizer and LAN festival operator running CS tournaments (DreamHack Masters) and large-scale gaming festivals. Comparable as a CS-focused event organizer with festival/live-event expertise.
- BLAST Premier: BLAST Premier is a leading CS2 tournament organizer running global circuits (BLAST Premier World Final, Spring/Fall Groups/Finals) with premium broadcast production. Directly competes with StarSeries and Stake Ranked for top-tier CS2 team inventory, sponsor dollars, and viewership.
- ESL FACEIT Group: ESL FACEIT Group (owned by Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group) is the world's largest esports tournament organizer, running ESL Pro League, IEM Katowice, multiple CS Majors, and operating the FACEIT competitive platform that StarLadder itself uses for qualifiers. Directly competes for Valve Major hosting rights and CS2 event inventory.
- WePlay Esports: WePlay is a Ukraine-rooted esports tournament organizer and media platform that has hosted CS:GO and Dota 2 events and produced innovative broadcast formats. Comparable as a Tier-1 esports event producer and broadcaster targeting the same CIS/European market as StarLadder.
Emerging players
- FACEIT: FACEIT (now part of ESL FACEIT Group) operates the leading third-party competitive matchmaking and tournament platform that StarLadder itself uses for Stake Ranked and LORGAR RANKINGS qualifiers. Comparable as a CS2 competitive infrastructure provider sitting adjacent to StarLadder's event business.
- Beyond the Summit: Beyond the Summit is a North American-based esports tournament organizer and broadcast studio known for Dota 2 and CS:GO events with distinctive community-focused production. Comparable as a premium CS/Dota 2 broadcast operator competing for audience share in the same game ecosystems.
Others
- Nodwin Gaming: Nodwin Gaming is StarLadder's parent company (Nazara subsidiary) and a leading esports organizer in emerging markets (India, Africa, SEA). Directly comparable in tournament production model, but functions as StarLadder's strategic acquirer and global distribution platform rather than a competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Esports World Cup Foundation: The Esports World Cup Foundation runs the Saudi Arabia-backed annual multi-title Esports World Cup with massive prize pools and CS2 as a flagship title. Comparable as a deep-pocketed CS2 tournament competitor that can absorb higher event economics than StarLadder.
- Riot Games (LoL Esports): Riot Games operates League of Legends global esports (Worlds, MSI, regional leagues) with a publisher-run model and is a comparable reference for what a publisher-organized premier esports circuit looks like — adjacent to StarLadder's Valve-Major-style role in CS2.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
StarLadder social profiles
Digital presenceStarLadder financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
StarLadder leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
StarLadder funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
StarLadder M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about StarLadder
What does StarLadder do?
StarLadder is a professional esports tournament organizer and broadcaster that produces, hosts and streams competitive Counter-Strike 2 and other esports events worldwide. Its portfolio includes Valve-sanctioned Major Championships (Budapest Major 2025, Berlin Major 2026), the long-running StarSeries circuit, the Stake Ranked Tier-2 LAN series, the LORGAR RANKINGS regional circuit for Eastern Europe, and the StarLadder Esports Platform for daily online competition.
Is StarLadder a public or private company?
StarLadder is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was StarLadder founded?
StarLadder was founded in 2001. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is StarLadder based?
StarLadder is headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, in the Europe region.
How does StarLadder make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tournament Production and Organization is the primary driver. The others are broadcasting and Streaming Rights, sponsorship and Partnership and ticket Sales and Event Revenue.
Who are StarLadder's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PGL Esports, DreamHack, BLAST Premier, ESL FACEIT Group and WePlay Esports. Emerging players are FACEIT and Beyond the Summit. Nodwin Gaming is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Esports World Cup Foundation and Riot Games (LoL Esports).
Does StarLadder have an API?
No public API is recorded for StarLadder.
What industry is StarLadder in?
StarLadder's product category is Esports Tournament Organization & Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKANAE, Major Championship Events & World Finals, with a secondary code of MPAKANAA, Publisher-Run Esports Leagues & Circuits.