The latest Counter-Strike 2 update includes some important changes to souvenir items and tradeups, as well as exciting new content around the upcoming IEM Cologne Major 2026 - the first Major championship of the year! Check out the latest CS2 patch notes as we go over everything you need to know about this update!

What's New in the Latest CS2 Update? (May 21)

While CS2 updates can happen frequently and include small amounts of changes, today's update is a massive one for a few reasons. First, this latest CS2 patch introduces massive changes for Souvenir items and how they work for Trade Up Contracts. Souvenir-quality items are now selectable for trade-ups alongside normal items. When this is done, these items lose their Souvenir attributes and count as one quality higher than the rest of the items in the trade-up from a collection of all the items in the exchange. Beyond that, this update also introduces new content leading up to the first Major championship of the year, the IEM Cologne 2026 Major. This includes a Major Hub where you can purchase tournament items and participate in the IEM Cologne 2026 Pick'Em Challenge. It also includes a new upgradable Cologne 2026 Coin as part of the Cologne 2026 Viewer Pass. Make your picks, watch the show, and take your rightful spot on the leaderboard!

CS2 Patch Notes (May 21 Update)

Major

• The IEM Cologne 2026 Major Hub is now available. Visit the hub to purchase tournament items, play the Pick'Em Challenge and more.
• Purchase a Cologne 2026 Viewer Pass to receive an upgradable Cologne 2026 Coin. With an active pass, you can upgrade your coin and earn rewards by playing the Pick'Em Challenge. Additionally, you will show up on the Active Pass Leaderboard where you can compare your Pick'Em Challenge performance to your friends.

UI

• Fixed a case of incorrect scoreboard timeline presentation in overtime.
• Fixed weapon entities disallowing pickup from showing pick up weapon hint text.
• Increased spectator in-eye flash amount.

Miscellaneous

• Souvenir quality items can now be selected in Trade Up Contract alongside normal quality items. All Souvenir attributes will be removed from any souvenir items selected, and the result of a Trade Up Contract will be a single normal item of a quality one higher, from a collection of all of the items selected for exchange.
• Fixed a case where tire fire particles were flickering in the advanced video preview.
• Adjusted finger animation on Bayonet model.