Counter-Strike 2 averages 805,637 after seven-month slide

Counter-Strike 2’s average concurrent player count fell for a seventh consecutive month in September, reaching 805,637, according to Steam Charts. The figure was down from 825,258 in August, although the latest fall was slower than some earlier declines in 2026.

February was the last month in which the game recorded growth in its monthly average. Since then, its average player count has fallen by 278,000, extending a decline that began in March despite Counter-Strike 2 retaining a large player base.

How the decline developed

April brought the steepest monthly drop in the period covered. Counter-Strike 2 lost more than 94,000 average concurrent players that month, an 8.83% decrease, making the downward trend particularly clear after the game had recorded more than a million concurrent players.

The decline continued through the following months. In July, average player numbers fell by 7% despite the IEM Cologne Major taking place. The event drew an audience in the millions, but that interest did not translate into a rise in the game’s monthly average player count.

No single reason for the fall has been established. A lack of updates, cheaters and players leaving for VALORANT have all been cited as possible explanations.

Peak numbers recover in September

Peak concurrent player counts also fell during the broader slide. Counter-Strike 2 reached a peak of 1.71 million in March, compared with 1.33 million in August, showing that the change was not limited to monthly averages.

September’s peak rose to 1.45 million even as its average fell to 805,637. That marked a recovery from August’s peak, although it remained below March’s 1.71 million.

What comes next

September’s smaller fall offers a sign that the pace of the decline may be easing. It does not end the run of monthly decreases: average concurrent players were still lower than in August, marking seven straight months without an increase.

Counter-Strike 2 is entering the second phase of its 2026 competitive season with a substantial player base and a September peak above August’s. The question now is whether that recovery in peak players can be reflected in future monthly averages, and what steps Valve may take to support sustained growth.