In 2026, the Counter-Strike 2 calendar is packed with elite events, yet the inaugural BetBoom Dacha Belgrade still stands out as a key moment in the game's early LAN history. 🎯 It was announced immediately after NAVI lifted the PGL Copenhagen Major trophy over FaZe Clan, and the news gave fans a fresh $500,000 tournament to anticipate. The event was set for May 14-19, 2024, in Belgrade, Serbia, with an online stage designed to complete the eight-team lineup. For many observers, it marked the first BetBoom Dacha CS2 LAN and a sign that the post-Major season would not slow down.
The structure was straightforward but competitive. Eight of the world's best teams were to compete in Belgrade. Six received direct invitations, while the remaining two slots were reserved for closed qualifiers in South America and Europe. At the time of the announcement, five invited teams were confirmed: Team Spirit, Cloud9, Virtus.pro, Falcons, and Heroic. One invitation remained unannounced, leaving room for recent Major champions NAVI or runners-up FaZe Clan to enter the fray. That uncertainty added extra intrigue to an already stacked event.
| Invitation status | Team |
|---|---|
| Confirmed invited | Team Spirit |
| Confirmed invited | Cloud9 |
| Confirmed invited | Virtus.pro |
| Confirmed invited | Falcons |
| Confirmed invited | Heroic |
| Yet to be announced | One remaining slot |
The online qualifiers were split across two regions, each offering one place at the LAN. South America's closed qualifier ran from April 4 to April 11 in 2024, with eight teams fighting for a single ticket. The list included Imperial, Sharks, MIBR, Bestia, Pain Gaming, Red Canids, Fluxo, and one team still to be confirmed. Europe and the CIS region had an even tougher path: sixteen teams competed for one slot from April 2 to April 9. That group featured BetBoom Team, Fnatic, AMKAL, 9 Pandas, Apeks, Aurora, SAW, Metizport, KOI, BIG, Insilio, Benched Heroes, Parivision, Bleed Esports, Guild Esports, and one additional TBA entry.
The venue plans also drew attention. Fissure announced that it was moving its studio to a private location in Belgrade, Serbia. According to Nikolay Vesnin, CEO of Fissure, the goal was to 'bring our viewers quality content, a cozy atmosphere, and a beautiful game.' That statement reflected a broader trend in CS2: organizers were investing in distinctive LAN environments, not just prize pools. The Serbian capital, already a familiar esports destination, was set to host another international showcase.
For the European online stage, Fissure had already announced the opening best-of-one matches, although the full schedule and matchups were still developing. The South American stage was scheduled to begin on April 4, with games expected to start around 18:30 PET. Fans who wanted to follow live needed to keep time zones in mind, especially with teams spread across multiple continents. The qualifiers were not just formalities; they were high-pressure tests that could define a team's season.
By 2026, the competitive landscape has changed considerably. Rosters have shifted, new stars have emerged, and CS2 tournaments have become more frequent and more global. Even so, the BetBoom Dacha Belgrade announcement remains a useful snapshot of a specific moment: NAVI had just won the Copenhagen Major, FaZe Clan had finished second, and the scene was immediately looking ahead to the next big LAN. The event promised $500,000, eight teams, and a mix of direct invites and qualifier underdogs. It was a formula that gave both established giants and rising regions a chance to shine.
The tournament also highlighted the importance of regional representation. South America received one dedicated slot, while Europe and CIS received another. That meant fans could expect at least one team from each region to challenge the invited squads. With names like Imperial, MIBR, Fnatic, BIG, and BetBoom Team in the qualifier pools, the online stage was far from a minor preliminary. It was a proving ground.
In retrospect, the first BetBoom Dacha CS2 LAN helped set the tone for the post-Copenhagen era. It combined a significant prize pool, a compact eight-team format, and a location with growing esports infrastructure. For players, it was a chance to compete on LAN in Belgrade. For viewers, it was another chapter in the ongoing story of Counter-Strike 2. As 2026 continues to deliver new tournaments and new champions, the Belgrade event remains part of the foundation on which the current scene was built.
Fans looking for the latest CS2 news can follow reputable esports coverage, but the story of BetBoom Dacha Belgrade is already part of the record. It began with a Major victory, moved through online qualifiers, and pointed toward a $500,000 LAN in Serbia. That combination made it memorable then, and it still explains why the event is remembered now.