Valve has updated the list of exceptions to its CS2 tournament rules, which could significantly alter the lineup of participants in several major events. Three major tournament operators have received approvals: BLAST, ESL, and Perfect World. The changes affect match formats, invitation procedures, and tournament statuses.

This is particularly interesting because, for the first time in a long while, Valve has allowed rule changes after the deadline for submitting additional information—highlighting a flexible approach in the new CS2 scene dynamics.

Which Tournaments Received Exceptions and What This Changes
BLAST:

BLAST Open Fall 2025 — allowed to change the group stage match format to online even after the deadline for additional information.
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025 — allowed to consider winners of the Major Regional Qualifiers (MRQ) as Tier-2 teams when issuing wildcards. This opens the door for OG , Fluxo , Imperial , Chinggis Warriors, Wildcard, and FlyQuest—they were not in the top 28 of the Global VRS as of July 7, but can now receive invitations.
BLAST Rivals 2026 — the tournament can receive Wildcard event status even with two Tier-1 events instead of the required three.ESL:

Esports World Cup, ESL Pro League S22, IEM Chengdu, IEM Krakow — all four tournaments are allowed to hold a third-place match and redistribute the prize pool for the 4th place. This permission was granted despite the deadline for changes having passed.

Perfect World:

CS Asia Championships 2025 — allowed to invite two previous CAC winners as wildcards. The last such champion was FaZe Clan in 2023 with players rain , karrigan , and broky . Their participation now seems quite likely.
These changes directly impact the lineup of major tournaments—giving chances not only to top-ranked teams but also to those who have proven themselves in qualifiers or hold historical significance in the scene. Valve shows it is willing to listen to organizers and adapt, while not abandoning the ranking system—a move that could set a new standard in CS2 .