Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, will host a top-tier international Counter-Strike 2 tournament, PGL Astana 2026, from May 15 to 17. This will mark the second time Kazakhstan has hosted one of the world’s largest esports events, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported.
PGL Esports SRL is a tournament organizer; the total prize pool is $1.6 million.
World’s top teams in Astana
PGL Astana 2026 will feature 16 teams, including Team Spirit, G2 Esports, FURIA Esports, and Heroic.
Furthermore, renowned figures of the global esports scene are expected to attend the event, including CS:GO world champion Dauren Kystaubayev; FURIA Esports player Danil Golubenko; streamer Slava Buster; PGL stage host James Banks; and Brazilian esports legend Gabriel Toledo.
On Kazakhstan’s tourism event calendar
PGL Astana 2026 has been officially included in the 2026 tourism event calendar, approved by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
The ministry believes that hosting such tournaments boosts event tourism and further establishes Astana as an international hub for major esports events.
Kazakhstan also hosts the Games of the Future
Additionally, Astana will host the Games of the Future multisport tournament from July 29 to Aug. 9, 2026, which combines physical sport and digital competition in a single phygital format.
