The year 2025 was a real challenge for both Natus Vincere squads, but only one of them can boast of financial success.
The NaVi Junior youth team earned more prize money than the main roster in the first six months. This became possible thanks to the victory at the prestigious YaLLa Compass Qatar 2025 tournament, where NaVi Junior won $150,000, as well as regular appearances in the final stages of online leagues.
Financial results for six months:
NaVi Junior - $198,000
Natus Vincere main roster - $182,500
NaVi Junior actively participated in B- and C-tier tournaments, where they consistently reached the top 4, and also successfully passed online qualifiers. Their victory at YaLLa Compass was especially noteworthy, as it significantly added $150,000 to their prize pool.
Meanwhile, NAVI's main team went through a difficult period: after a series of unsuccessful performances at ESL Pro League, BLAST Open Spring 2025, and IEM Melbourne 2025, the team finished only seventh or eighth at several major tournaments, earning less than expected. Against the backdrop of NaVi Junior 's achievements, this looks especially contrasting.
Top 10 teams by prize money over the last 6 months
Over the past six months of fighting in different arenas around the world, the situation among the leaders is as follows:
Spirit - $1,283,125
Vitality - $908,750
The MongolZ - $763,125
G2 - $745,250
Mouz - $650,000
Falcons - $468,500
FaZe - $396,000
Heroic - $304,000
Astralis - $271,625
Eternal Fire - $246,125
Vitality and victory at the ESL Grand Slam
Vitality has organized a historic event during this period: Vitality 's impressive performance at the IEM Melbourne 2025 was the culmination of their grand journey to the ESL Grand Slam Season 5. In addition to the title of champions, the team received an impressive prize pool of $1,125,000 and unique gold bars decorated with ESL Grand Slam symbols. This success makes Vitality the fifth team in the history of Counter-Strike to reach the top of the Grand Slam.
The ESL Grand Slam is one of the most prestigious awards in the world of esports, and winning it requires exceptional skill, consistency, and tactical genius. Vitality has demonstrated all these qualities by winning this trophy. More details are available at the link.
It is worth noting that NaVi Junior 's success was also made possible by stable play in secondary online tournaments, where the competition is lower. Nevertheless, the team proved its readiness for a higher level, winning even against teams from the Tier-2 scene.
For the main NAVI team, this period was a signal for change: after unsuccessful performances and poor results at major events, the organization will have to rethink its development strategy and personnel decisions for the second half of the year.
