The 2024 Shanghai Major is gearing up to be one of the biggest Counter-Strike tournaments of the year, and it’s already generating massive excitement in the esports world. Hosted by Perfect World E-sports, this landmark event will be held from December 5th to December 15th, 2024, in Shanghai, China. With a staggering $1.25 million prize pool, and the top teams from across the globe set to compete, the Major promises to be an unforgettable e-sports extravaganza.
As the hype builds, fans are eagerly waiting for ticket availability and more event details. Here, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the event, including how to secure tickets, the venues, and what to expect from the competition itself.
Shanghai Major Venues
Perfect World has confirmed two iconic venues for the event:
Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center: This venue will host the Opening and Elimination Stages of the tournament. The center, which holds approximately 5,000 fans, will serve as the battleground where 24 of the world’s best teams face off from November 30th to December 8th, 2024. These stages will be critical as only the top eight teams will advance to the playoffs.
SDP Bank Oriental Sports Center: The final eight teams that make it through the elimination stages will compete for the title at the prestigious SDP Bank Oriental Sports Center, which has a capacity of up to 18,000 fans. This venue, previously used for the League of Legends World Championship 2017, will host the Playoffs from December 12th to December 15th, 2024. The stakes will be at their highest as these teams battle for their share of the massive prize pool and, ultimately, the title of Major Champion.
This event marks the first time a Valve-backed Major is being held in China, signaling the company's push into the Asian esports market. It is also rare for Valve to host a Major where all three stages—Opening, Elimination, and Playoffs—are played in front of a live audience.
Prize Pool and Teams
The $1.25 million prize pool is sure to attract the world’s top CS talent, with $500,000 going to the team that takes first place.
The Shanghai Major will feature 24 teams who have qualified through Regional Major Rankings (RMR) tournaments. The teams will represent three major regions:
Seven teams from America
Six teams from Europe
Three teams from Asia-Pacific
These teams will compete for the eight coveted spots in the Elimination Stage.
Ticket Purchase Information
Ticket availability is one of the biggest questions on fans’ minds, and while tickets are currently not available, Perfect World has announced the structure for ticket sales. Similar to previous events, such as CAC2023, the 2024 Shanghai Major will offer tickets in three phases, giving dedicated CS players priority access.
- Perfect Member Priority Ticket Purchase This exclusive ticket purchase window will be available to Perfect Grand Members. To qualify:
Your account must have Perfect Grand Member status. You must be at Lv4 or above. Your account must be free of any PAC or VAC bans. Only a limited number of tickets will be available during this phase. More details on the start date will be announced soon.
- General Priority Ticket Purchase Players who don’t meet the Perfect Grand Member requirements can still qualify for General Priority Ticket Purchase. Perfect World has launched a special support event tied to the Perfect Platform S17 season, which began on August 16, 2023, and runs until official ticket sales begin:
Doubled Perfect Level growth: Players participating in Ladder Matches and Official Match Pro modes will see their Perfect Level grow twice as fast during the event. Doubled Member Level growth: Players who have purchased Perfect Membership will also receive double growth for their Member Level when they recharge in the national server. These initiatives offer players a chance to boost their levels and increase their chances of qualifying for the General Priority Ticket Purchase. Keep an eye on announcements for the exact sales dates.
- Public Ticket Purchase Once the priority phases are complete, any remaining tickets will be released to the general public. With tickets likely to sell out quickly, fans are encouraged to be ready when this phase begins. Again, more details about this sale will be announced soon.
- Overseas User Ticket Purchase For international fans looking to attend the Major, Perfect World has ensured that there will be a separate pool of tickets for overseas users. This pool will not affect domestic ticket availability, making it easier for global fans to secure their spots at the event. The time and method for overseas ticket sales will be announced at a later date.
Why the 2024 Shanghai Major is Historic
The 2024 Shanghai Major represents a significant moment in Counter-Strike’s esports history. Not only is it the first Valve-sponsored Major held in China, but the decision to have all three stages of the tournament in front of live audiences is a testament to the growing influence of CS in Asia.
Valve’s partnership with Perfect World, the exclusive operator for CS
and Dota 2 in China since 2015, has been instrumental in making this event possible. With Perfect World’s experience running major esports tournaments in China, including the Perfect World Arena Premier League, fans can expect a professionally organized, world-class event.
What’s Next?
As the countdown to the 2024 Shanghai Major continues, stay tuned for more updates on ticket availability and other important announcements. With the Opening Stage kicking off on November 30th and the Playoffs wrapping up on December 15th, this month-long event is sure to be a spectacle that no CS fan will want to miss. Whether you're attending in person or tuning in online, the Shanghai Major will showcase the best teams, players, and strategies in the world of Counter-Strike.
Keep your Perfect World accounts up to date, take advantage of the special events to boost your levels, and get ready for what could be the most exciting Major to date!
