ESL and BLAST Update Counter-Strike 2 Map Pools
Major Counter-Strike 2 organizers ESL and BLAST have swiftly modified their competitive map pools in response to Valve’s recent tweak to the game’s Active Duty lineup.
Following an update from Valve, the official map pool for CS will change on Jan 19th, with Anubis replacing Train.
This change comes into effect immediately for #ESLProTour, starting with the #IEM Rio qualifiers next week, followed by our first event of the year; #IEM Kraków. pic.twitter.com/DsaTacsUOu
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) January 11, 2026
The adjustment, implemented on January 9, sees Anubis stepping in to replace Train for upcoming events like IEM Kraków 2026 and BLAST Bounty Season 1 2026.
Anubis marks its comeback to top tier play during BLAST Bounty’s closed qualifiers, scheduled from January 13 to 18. With such a tight turnaround, teams will need to scramble to adapt their strategies for this returning map.
ESL confirmed the update applies immediately across its ESL Pro Tour events, incorporating Anubis into qualifiers for IEM Rio 2026 as well as the season opening LAN at IEM Kraków.
The Egyptian themed map had been sidelined for six months since July 2025, when it was swapped out for Overpass at the start of Premier Season Three.
This isn’t the first time ESL and BLAST have moved fast on Valve’s map decisions, they previously rushed in Overpass shortly after its official return to keep their tournaments aligned.
Counter-Strike Esports Outlook
With a pause following the StarLadder Budapest Major, the CS scene now shifts focus to BLAST Bounty Season 1 2026, kicking off the year’s Tier 1 action.
Thirty two global teams will battle through online qualifiers for lucrative bounties, Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points, and spots in the eight team LAN finale in Malta. The event boasts a $500,000 prize pool distributed via its unique bounty system.
Since: October 29, 2025
