Valve has added a new forfeit rule to its Counter-Strike 2 Tournament Operations Rulebook (TOR).
The CS2 developer has also adjusted other criteria relating to player lineups of teams that receive direct invitations to tournaments.
In an update published on October 13th, 2025, Valve added Rule 3.10.1 under the TOR’s Ranked Tournaments section.
The change reveals that tournament operators will “declare a forfeit in any match in which a roster does not field at least three of the invited roster athletes for the entirety of the match.”
The introduction of the rule means that three of the five players representing a roster when it receives an invitation to compete in a tournament must play in that event.
A recent example of a team falling foul of the ruling was FaZe Clan at ESL Pro League Season 22. After benching Håvard ‘rain‘ Nygaard before the event, the organisation added the rifler back onto the starting lineup after forfeiting its opening match against G2 Esports.
In addition to the arrival of Rule 3.10.1, Valve also adjusted Rule 3.2.5 following the rain’s impromptu return to FaZe Clan.
The rule now states that teams that receive direct invitations to a Ranked tournament can only accept if three players from the invited roster are part of the starting lineup. Additionally, the rule states that three of the players invited to compete “will play in each event match.”
How Will The Change Impact CS2 Esports?
The adjustment of the TOR is expected to have a positive impact on the Counter-Strike esports ecosystem, ensuring that organisations are responsible for fielding the correct number of players at high-profile events.
The change also requires teams to consider any planned roster changes in order to adhere to the new guidelines put in place.
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