Team Vitality has announced a landmark multi-year partnership with Stake, the world’s leading online casino and sportsbook platform, in a major seven-figure agreement.
Stake becomes the official international betting partner of Team Vitality’s Counter-Strike 2 roster, and will benefit from an extensive activation plan that includes prominent jersey branding, high-impact campaigns across social media, innovative content production, and exclusive player access.
Unveiled at IEM Cologne 2025, one of the most prestigious events on the Counter-Strike calendar, this partnership marks a new chapter in Stake’s continued expansion into the esports space. It also reflects the growing appeal of the esports industry to global brands seeking visibility, high-value engagement, and premium positioning on the international stage.
July 28, 2025 – Team Vitality has confirmed a major multi-year agreement with Stake, a global leader in the betting and gaming industry. Through this partnership, Stake becomes the official international partner of Team Vitality’s CS2 team, with the ambition of establishing a strong presence in the esports ecosystem. The two organizations will collaborate on exclusive content and bold creative activations. The first stop: IEM Cologne, where the team will debut its new jersey featuring Stake’s branding at one of the most iconic events in competitive Counter-Strike.
With this collaboration, Team Vitality joins the ranks of major global sports like Formula 1, MMA, and football, solidifying its place in the mainstream sports landscape and advancing the global recognition of esports.
Stake Joins Forces with the Best Team in the World
This alliance comes at a historic moment for Team Vitality’s Counter-Strike 2 roster, which has made headlines this year by winning multiple consecutive titles, including the prestigious ESL Grand Slam and the Blast Austin Major. Recognized as a global powerhouse in the CS2 scene, the team represents a culture of ambition, elite performance, and competitive spirit — values strongly aligned with Stake. This partnership brings together two brands that prioritize intensity and excellence at their core.
Stake will play a key role in supporting Team Vitality’s CS2 team throughout the most important international competitions. The brand will be featured across Team Vitality’s digital platforms, co-create premium content, and offer fans exclusive year-round access to players. Stake’s logo will also appear on the front and left collarbone of the team’s official jersey.
Partnership Kicks Off in Cologne
As the defending champions of last year’s tournament, Team Vitality is launching the partnership at a strategic moment in the competitive calendar. IEM Cologne is one of the most iconic and widely followed tournaments on the Counter-Strike circuit. The 2024 edition attracted more than one million viewers, making it the second most-watched CS event of the year.
The event draws a passionate global audience and offers a powerful platform to associate Stake with the highest levels of competition and emotion. It provides a strategic opportunity to activate the partnership at a peak moment of intensity, performance, and global attention—creating a strong, authentic connection between the brand, the team, and Vitality fans around the world.
“This partnership with Stake is historic—not only in scale but in symbolic value. It reflects the success of our ambition to establish Team Vitality as a leading global esports brand, alongside the biggest names in their respective industries. At a pivotal moment in our Counter-Strike journey, this collaboration allows us to create innovative experiences, offer exclusive team content, and support our CS2 roster as it reaches new competitive heights,” said Vas Roberts, Co-CEO of Team Vitality.
“This partnership brings together two industry powerhouses: Stake, a global leader in betting and entertainment, and Team Vitality, the reigning CS2 world champions. This collaboration adds esports to our internationally recognized portfolio of sports and entertainment partnerships, and Team Vitality perfectly represents the world-class caliber we seek as we expand into the esports space,” said Akhil Sarin, Chief Marketing Officer at Stake.
