PGL launches co-streamer applications for PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025

PGL is looking for co-streamers in the Counter-Strike 2 community for PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, the organiser’s first big CS2 event of the year.

PGL Cluj-Napoca will see 16 top teams from all over the world head to Romania later this month to compete for its massive $1.25m (~£1m) prize pool.

The tournament organiser is calling on streamers to send in applications to officially broadcast the tournament to their viewers, bringing more stream options to CS2 fans.

On X (formerly Twitter), PGL shared a link to apply to its co-streaming programme. It’s a short application that clarifies it’s for English-speaking streamers only. Moreover, the application asks for their broadcast channel, social media accounts and reason for wanting to co-stream PGL Cluj-Napoca.

It’s not yet clear how many streamers will be approved (or who PGL is exactly looking for in its applicants) but many have already announced that they’ve applied in the replies.

Co-streamers will be broadcasting a two-part tournament, starting with a Group Stage and ending with the Playoffs. The Group Stage will be a Swiss format with the top eight teams advancing to the Playoff stage after competing in best-of-three matches.

The Playoffs will switch to a single-elimination style BO3 bracket. The top two teams will compete in the Grand Finals, which will be a best-of-five series.

The winning team will take home $400,000 (~£321,328). However, there has been some discourse in the CS2 esports community over team invites and PGL’s prize structure.

Next weekend, 16 teams are set to take to the stage to compete at PGL Cluj-Napoca, however, some notable teams are not appearing at the event. For example, FURIA withdrew from the event earlier this week, leaving space for Imperial Fe. Team Spirit and G2 Esports also refused an invite.

There have also been discussions from the community regarding PGL’s prize structure. Most CS2 tournament organisers split up the prize pool to provide cash money and revenue share to participants.

Instead, PGL has opted to provide just prize money, meaning that more of an onus is on placing higher in the vent.

PGL CEO Silviu Stroie explained on X that this was to avoid splitting the funds across various categories and provides a ‘single payment’ to the organisation. This decision was met with support but also concern from the community.

PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 competing teams include:

Last year, PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 had a peak viewership of over 1.8m fans. The major was also streamed on Kick, a new streaming platform for PGL. This is the third-highest peak viewership in the history of Counter-Strike esports. PGL is hoping to keep this momentum in 2025 with the help of a co-stream programme.