The Counter-Strike 2 scene just witnessed a power move. Team Vitality, one of the most dominant forces in global esports, has sealed a multi-year, seven-figure deal with online betting platform Stake, making waves across both the esports and betting industries. This high-stakes partnership kicks off on the world stage at IEM Cologne 2025, one of the most iconic and widely viewed tournaments in CS history.
This is no ordinary sponsorship. It is a full-fledged collaboration between a reigning champion and a global entertainment powerhouse. Stake will now serve as Team Vitality’s official international betting partner for CS2, and the deal comes with a loaded activation strategy that includes jersey branding, social media campaigns, exclusive content production, and year-round access to Team Vitality players.
The partnership also signals Stake’s first official foray into the esports industry, a move that shows just how lucrative and globally relevant the competitive gaming world has become. For Team Vitality, it’s another huge win. The organization continues to position itself as not just a European favorite but a global powerhouse, now backed by a brand with deep pockets and bold ambitions.
Stake’s logo will be featured prominently on Team Vitality’s official CS2 jersey, including the front and left collarbone areas. But the impact goes far beyond apparel. The brand will appear across Vitality’s digital ecosystem, fueling premium content collaborations, behind-the-scenes access, and engaging fan experiences designed to elevate esports storytelling.
Team Vitality’s co-CEO Vas Roberts called the partnership “historic” and emphasized the symbolic significance of the deal, stating that it reflects the team’s ambition to cement itself among the elite global brands in esports. He highlighted how this collaboration will empower the CS2 roster to reach even greater heights and deliver more immersive experiences to fans worldwide.
Stake’s Chief Marketing Officer Akhil Sarin echoed the excitement, describing the alliance as a meeting of two powerhouses. He praised Vitality’s world-class status and called the team a perfect addition to Stake’s already impressive portfolio of global sports and entertainment partnerships. With this collaboration, Stake takes a bold leap into the esports arena with a championship-caliber partner already at the top of their game.
IEM Cologne 2025 is the perfect launchpad for this partnership, not just because of its prestige but also because Team Vitality returns to the tournament as the defending CS2 world champions. With millions watching, this moment becomes a strategic opportunity to ignite the collaboration during a peak of competitive tension, fanfare, and performance.
This partnership is more than a logo on a jersey. It is a signal of what is coming next for esports. As traditional industries look to gaming to tap into younger and global audiences, collaborations like this show that esports is no longer just a niche. It is a central arena for major brand battles.
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