Team Vitality is honored to have reached a milestone multi-year partnership with the world-leading online casino and sports betting platform Stake, signing a significant seven-figure agreement.
As the official international betting partner of the Team Vitality Counter-Strike 2 lineup, Stake will benefit from a comprehensive activation plan: prominent jersey display positions, high-impact brand campaigns on social media, innovative content creation, and exclusive player access rights.
This collaboration was unveiled at one of the most prestigious Counter-Strike events, the 2025 Cologne IEM, marking a new chapter in Stake's ongoing expansion in the esports sector. This also highlights the growing appeal of the esports industry to global brands seeking to enhance their visibility on the international stage, increase high-value engagement, and build a high-end positioning.
On July 28, 2025, Team Vitality announced a significant multi-year agreement with the global leader in the gambling and gaming sector, Stake. Through this partnership, Stake will become the official international partner of Team Vitality's CS2 team, committed to building a strong influence within the esports ecosystem. Both parties will collaborate to launch exclusive content and bold creative campaigns. The first stop: Cologne IEM, where the team will debut its new jersey branded with the Stake logo at one of the most iconic Counter-Strike events.
Through this partnership, Team Vitality joins the ranks of globally renowned sports such as Formula One racing, mixed martial arts, and football, solidifying its position in mainstream sports and taking another step forward in global recognition in esports.
Stake partners with the world's top teams
This partnership is of great significance for Team Vitality's Counter-Strike 2 team. This year, the team made history by winning multiple championships, including last month's highly anticipated ESL Grand Slam and Blast Austin Major. As a global powerhouse in the CS2 field, the team embodies a culture of ambition, outstanding performance, and competitive passion, values that align perfectly with those of Stake. This partnership seamlessly integrates two brands centered around passion and excellence.
Stake will play a key role in supporting the CS2 team lineup in participating in the world's most significant international events. First, the brand will debut on Team Vitality's digital platforms. Next, the two brands will jointly create high-quality content and provide fans with exclusive team lineups throughout the year. Finally, Stake's logo will appear on the front and left clavicle of the team's official jerseys.
Partnership kicks off in Cologne
As the defending champions of last year's event, Team Vitality initiated this partnership at a critical moment in the esports event. IEM Cologne is one of the most iconic and highly attended events in the Counter-Strike series, with last year's competition attracting over one million viewers, making it the second most-watched CS event of the year.
This event brings together a passionate global audience and provides a powerful platform linking Stake with the highest level of competition and passion. It is a strategic opportunity to activate the partnership at a peak moment of intense excitement, outstanding performance, and spectacular shows, establishing a solid and sincere connection between the brand, the team, and global Vitality fans.
Team Vitality's co-CEO Vas Roberts stated, "The partnership with Stake is extraordinary: not only in its scale but also in its symbolic significance. It reflects our commitment to building Team Vitality as a leading global esports brand, on par with giants in various industries. At a crucial moment in our Counter-Strike journey, this partnership will enable us to create innovative experiences, provide exclusive content around our team, and support our CS2 team in reaching new competitive heights."
Stake's Chief Marketing Officer Akhil Sarin stated, "This partnership brings together two industry giants: Stake, a leader in the global gambling and entertainment sector, and Team Vitality, the defending world champions in CS2. This partnership brings esports into our globally renowned portfolio of sports and entertainment partners, with Team Vitality being the world-class partner we sought as we ventured into the esports field."
