Thunderpick, the leading online esports betting platform,  announced the return of the Thunderpick World Championship (TWC) for 2025, featuring  a $1 million USD prize pool. Reinforcing its long-term vision for Counter-Strike esports, Thunderpick also confirmed its commitment to continue the championship in 2026 and beyond.  

After the thrilling finale of the 2024 season—where The MongolZ triumphed over HEROIC in a 3-1 Grand Final—Thunderpick is once again raising the bar for Counter-Strike competition. TWC remains one of the largest independently sponsored CS2 tournaments globally, underscoring Thunderpick’s ambition to grow and elevate the esports ecosystem.

TWC 2025 returns with Regional Series events in North America, South America and Europe, culminating in the Tier 1 LAN Final in Malta from October 15 to October 19, with $850,000 USD on the line.

Advertisement

This year’s championship, presented by Hotspawn (Hotspawn.com), debuts a refreshed  visual identity, featuring innovative production elements and viewer-first features, aiming to deliver an engaging and immersive experience for CS2 fans worldwide.

The full 2025 event schedule is as follows: 

• TWC EU1: April 28 – May 7, 2025
• TWC NA1: May 8 – May 16, 2025
• TWC SA1: June 27 – July 2, 2025
• TWC SA2: July 8 – July 13, 2025
• TWC NA2: July 24 – August 1, 2025
• TWC EU2: August 5 – August 14, 2025
• TWC Finals Closed Qualifier: September 9 – September 11, 2025
• TWC Finals Malta (LAN): October 15 – October 19, 2025

All matches are broadcast live on twitch.tv/thunderpicktv.

“As we head into our third year of the Thunderpick World Championship, our mission remains clear: to provide a world-class tournament experience for players and fans alike,”  said Kelly Sanders, Head of Strategy at Thunderpick. “With our 2025 plans underway and 2026 already in motion, we’re proud to continue investing in the future of CS2.”

In a strategic collaboration, Thunderpick partners with Hotspawn (Hotspawn.com) – the  website built for esport and video game enthusiasts by those who share the same passion.

With an unrivaled dedication to community, the two organizations are committed to delivering the engaging entertainment and fairplay that players and audiences both want and deserve. Hotspawn Editor in Chief Sophie McCarthy said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Thunderpick World Championship, an event that is fast becoming one of the most exciting in the Counter-Strike calendar. This partnership is a huge milestone for Hotspawn as we go all in on the biggest tournaments and we’re excited to bring our community even closer to the action.”

Advertisement

• To celebrate the launch of V.University, Team Vitality is unveiling a new yellow jersey in partnership with sportswear brand hummel, along with an exclusive lifestyle apparel collection. This collaboration blends classic American collegiate aesthetics with The Bees’ distinctive style.
• Inspired by the prestigious Ivy League institutions and the recognisable culture of American colleges, V.University will look to engage local esports fans during Team Vitality’s participation in upcoming major esports competitions
• The launch reinforces Team Vitality’s commitment to establishing itself as a global, multifaceted presence across all aspects of esports

Leading esports organisation, Team Vitality, is thrilled to unveil its latest international campaign, V.University, aimed at engaging with North American esports fans and audiences by drawing inspiration from the iconic culture and visual identity of Ivy League schools.

Inspired by the iconic American university culture and fashion, the V.University campaign will feature a Vitality University 2025 Jersey created in partnership with Danish sportswear brand hummel, as well as a full lifestyle apparel collection. The campaign blends classic American collegiate style with Team Vitality’s signature yellow and black colours, creating an iconic, bold identity for the esports teams’ U.S. debut.

The new jersey will be worn by Team Vitality players at several major esports competitions across North America this year, starting with the Counter-Strike 2 team at IEM Dallas during DreamHack (May 19 -25th), followed by the Austin Major (June 19 – 22nd). Meanwhile, the Rocket League roster will represent the new jersey at the Raleigh Major (June 26 – 29th).

AN APPAREL COLLECTION EMBODYING AMERICAN STYLE AND AMBITION

Advertisement

Through V.University, Team Vitality celebrates the spirit of North American collegiate sports – competition, pride, and a sense of belonging. Marking a new visual and cultural direction for the esports club, emphasising storytelling and community engagement alongside world-class performance.

The Vitality University 2025 Jersey blends the club’s traditional design values, with the yellow bee, and the timeless style of US university fashion. Worn by Rocket League stars Alexis “zen” Bernier and Evan “M0nkey M00n” Rogez, the jersey is a standout piece in the collection, honouring the club’s competitive legacy while embodying its international ambitions.

Available now for pre-order at €79.99 via the official Team Vitality e-shop, the new jersey is a must-have for fans across the globe.

For the ultimate collector’s experience, fans can also purchase matching sleeves (€29.99) and a Collector’s Box – Vitality University 2025 (€99.99). Limited availability on the Team Vitality e-shop, the box contains a wide range of exclusive club items, including pins, stickers, a pennant and a Stanley Cup – the perfect addition to any esports fan’s collection.

A NEW LIFESTYLE COLLECTION

Advertisement

This new American lifestyle collection is now available on the Team Vitality website, it includes:

• 1 crewneck (€54.99)
• 1 tee shirt (€29.99)
• 1 tee shirt (available exclusively on the club’s Discord for €34.99)
• 1 bomber in collaboration with Bombers Original (€169.99)
• 1 pair of shorts (€39.99)
• 1 cap (€24.99)

STRENGTHENING TEAM VITALITY’S GLOBAL FOOTPRINT

After more than a decade of dominance of the European esports scene, Team Vitality is now accelerating its expansion into the United States. Building on its entry into the region with the acquisition of the US-based TeamFight Tactics (TFT) roster in 2024, the club is now taking a further step forward with the launch of V.University.

Marking a key milestone in the club’s global strategy, V.University campaign strengthens Team Vitality’s presence in the global esports community and reinforces its position among the world’s elite esports organisations. Whilst also showcasing the esports club’s broader ambition to unite a new generation of fans on a global scale through culturally driven storytelling and immersive brand experiences.

V.University campaign will be showcased across Team Vitality’s digital platforms, including social media channels, a new hero video, in-game assets, as well as the lifestyle apparel collection. Offering fans a unique opportunity to engage with the Vitality brand and the team’s identity, blending the competitive spirit and community values of traditional sports with the energy of modern esports.

“The US is home to one of the largest and most passionate esports communities, making it a natural step in Team Vitality’s ongoing international expansion.” said Fabien “Neo” Devide, President and Co-Founder of Team Vitality. “With V.University, we’re not just growing our presence, we’re creating a unique platform that brings fans closer to the Team Vitality experience in a way that no other organisation has done before.”

Advertisement

Vasista Esports rolled to a spectacular finish after a nail-biting grand finals of the iQOO Neo 10 Skyesports Championship 2025 – BGMI. The team secured the title by taking down India’s top 16 teams in the Sky Surge and Grand Finals, which took place from May 15 to 18. The Skyesports Championship is India’s longest-running homegrown esports IP, and the 2025 BGMI edition saw hundreds of teams participate in the open qualifiers for a shot at the title and a share of the INR 17.5 lakhs prize pool.

With its exciting format, long legacy, and top teams competing, the iQOO Neo 10 Skyesports Championship 2025, powered by AMD with associate partners WD_BLACK and GIGABYTE accumulated 30 million views from broadcast and 40 million through VOD views for a total 70 million viewership.

Vasista Esports have been in red-hot form throughout the tournament. After emerging on top in the Upper Bracket, the team entered the Grand Finals as one of the favorites – and they didn’t disappoint. With a dominant performance, they accumulated 169 points, 32 ahead of second-placed Autobotz Esports.

The iQOO Neo 10 Skyesports Championship 2025 featured a unique format in the Grand Finals with the introduction of the Sky Champ format—a first in the history of BGMI esports.

Advertisement

As part of this, May 15 featured the Sky Surge, based on which teams received bonus points for the 3-day Grand Finals from May 16 to 18. Vasista placed 14th in the Sky Surge, earning no bonus points and needing to climb the rankings from scratch.

In the Grand Finals, teams needed to reach 125 points to become Sky Champ point eligible. Once eligible, a team had to secure a WWCD (Winner Winner Chicken Dinner) to be crowned champions. This format ensured every match remained crucial, even as Vasista built a strong lead in the points table.

Ultimately, no team was able to secure a WWCD after becoming Sky Champ point eligible. As a result, Vasista Esports were crowned champions after 18 matches, based on their overall points as they remained consistent and aggressive.

A visibly emotional Sohail “Hector” Shaikh from Vasista Esports, who is also credited with building the winning lineup, said in a post-tournament interview, “A lot of people doubted me. A lot has happened in my life over the past 10 months, but I finally got the opportunity to prove myself. I’m grateful to my team. Our next target: winning the official BMPS 2025.”

The iQOO Neo 10 Skyesports Championship 2025 recorded over 100,000 peak concurrent viewers and more than 30 million total livestream views—highlighting the excitement around India’s premier homegrown esports IP.

Advertisement

Commenting on the tournament, Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO, Skyesports, said, “First of all – congratulations to Hector and Vasista Esports for their dominant performance, not just in the Grand Finals, but throughout the tournament. Their resilience and high-tier performance kept us on the edge of our seats. With more than 30 million livestream views so far, it showcases the growth and attention of our premium esports property. Lastly, thanks to our partners in iQOO, AMD, Western Digital, GIGABYTE, and Red Bull for making this tournament possible.”

With its thrilling format, record-breaking numbers, and fresh champions, the iQOO Neo 10 Skyesports Championship 2025 has once again cemented itself as a landmark event in Indian esports.

The overall standings is as follows:

1. Vasista Esports – 169 points

2. Autobotz Esports – 137 points

Advertisement

3. Learn From Past – 135 points

4. Wyld Fangs – 125 points

5. Team iQOOSoul – 114 points

6. Blitz Esports – 112 points

7. RivalryxRNRi – 110 points

Advertisement

8. Team iQOO 8Bit – 97 points

9. 4Merical Esports – 97 points

10. Money Makerz – 96 points

11. True Rippers – 95 points

12. Team Versatile – 92 points

Advertisement

13. OnePlus Cincinnati Kids – 91 points

14. Rising Inferno Esports – 77 points

15. OnePlus Gods Reign – 62 points

16. Alibaba Raiders – 57 points