When Valve launched Counter-Strike 2, they didn’t just improve the graphics and gameplay. They also changed how fans interact with esports. The Pick’Em Challenge is a popular feature that turns watching matches into an interactive prediction game. Instead of only watching your favorite teams in the Major Championships, you can predict the results and earn in-game rewards for correct guesses.
The Pick’Em system started in CS:GO, but CS2 made it better. It lets players follow major tournaments like the PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 and test their skills as “analysts.” According to Valve’s official Counter-Strike blog, Pick’Em challenges follow each event’s progress and reward players with collectible coins, souvenir packages, and stickers for accurate predictions.
What Is the Pick’Em Challenge?
Pick’Em is an in-game prediction contest based on the CS2 Major tournaments. Each Major has three stages: Challengers, Legends, and Champions. Players predict which teams will advance, which will be eliminated, and who will win the final title.
Each correct prediction gives points that help upgrade your event coin. The coin shows your progress and dedication throughout the tournament. The challenge runs alongside the event, and each stage has a deadline for submitting picks.
Valve’s Steam Support FAQ explains that you need a Viewer Pass to take part fully and earn rewards. The pass unlocks the Pick’Em menu, missions, and souvenir tokens. This connects watching matches with making predictions and winning prizes.
Accurate predictions earn points toward coin upgrades and prizes like souvenir packages or player autograph capsules. If you want a similar experience without buying a Viewer Pass, you can try CS2 Pickems by Skin.Club. You can practice predictions, compete with friends, and climb global leaderboards for free — a fun way to stay engaged between Majors.
Step 1: Buying the Viewer Pass
To join the CS2 Pick’Em Challenge, you first need to buy a Viewer Pass. It becomes available shortly before each Major event. You can buy it from the in-game store or on the Steam Market. The pass usually costs around $10 USD, though Valve sometimes sells bundles that include extra souvenir tokens.
According to Valve’s Steam Support guide, the Viewer Pass gives you full access to all Pick’Em features. It unlocks the challenge interface, an upgradable event coin, and missions that track your predictions. Once you buy it, the pass appears in your CS2 inventory as a redeemable item for that specific Major.
Besides predictions, the Viewer Pass also offers cosmetic rewards. You can get unique graffiti, team stickers, and collectible souvenir packages with weapon skins from featured matches. This makes the pass valuable for both players and collectors, combining competition and style in one purchase.
Step 2: Activating the Pass
After buying the pass, you must activate it to start participating. Activation links it to your Steam account and the tournament, so the game can track your progress.
Once activated, you’ll see an Event Coin in your inventory. This coin represents your participation and tracks your success. It starts as bronze and upgrades to silver, gold, and diamond as you earn points. Each tournament stage gives new prediction tasks, helping you climb toward higher coin levels.
Step 3: Making Predictions and Earning Points
When your Viewer Pass is active, the main challenge begins — making Pick’Em predictions. Each Major has three stages: Challengers, Legends, and Champions. You must choose which teams will advance, which will go undefeated (3–0), and which might be eliminated early (0–3).
Your goal is to get as many correct picks as possible to earn points. Valve’s event rules say you need at least five correct predictions in each stage to keep your progress and upgrade your coin. Once matches begin, your picks lock automatically, so check your choices before confirming.
Points are awarded after each stage. If you make perfect predictions, you get a big bonus. These points decide your Event Coin tier and whether you’ll unlock special souvenir packages later in the tournament.
Step 4: Scoring System and Coin Upgrades
The CS2 Pick’Em scoring system is clear but challenging. Each correct prediction gives you points that help upgrade your Event Coin. Coins have four levels — Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond — and you move up by earning enough points throughout the tournament.
Valve explains that you upgrade your coin by completing certain milestones, such as predicting all Legends-Stage qualifiers or choosing the final champion correctly. When the Major ends, your final coin level stays in your CS2 inventory as proof of your skill and effort.
Step 5: Rewards and How to Claim Them
Each Pick’Em Challenge offers special rewards. As you earn points and upgrade your Event Coin, you unlock souvenir tokens, team stickers, and other limited-edition cosmetics. According to Valve’s Steam Support documentation, every coin upgrade gives at least one souvenir token. You can exchange these for Souvenir Packages linked to specific matches and maps.
These packages include unique weapon skins that celebrate key tournament moments. Each skin features gold stickers showing the event, the teams, and the map. Even if your predictions aren’t perfect, you still get to collect a part of Counter-Strike history.
Besides souvenirs, completing certain challenges also gives you autograph capsules, graffiti, and other Major-themed collectibles. The higher your coin rank, the greater your prestige — and earning a Diamond Coin is one of the highest honors for any Counter-Strike fan.
Alternatives Without Buying a Viewer Pass
The official Pick’Em Challenge needs a Viewer Pass, but not everyone wants to pay for it. Luckily, the CS2 community offers free ways to enjoy prediction challenges.
One great example is CS2 Pickems — a community event by Skin.Club. It keeps the main idea of Pick’Em: predicting match results, following pro teams, and sharing the excitement with friends. The difference is that it’s completely free. Instead of in-game rewards, players compete for fun, leaderboard rankings, and special prizes from the platform.
This version is popular among casual fans who want to test their prediction skills without paying for Valve’s system. It’s also perfect for staying active between official Majors and practicing before the next big event.
Why Pick’Em Challenges Matter
Pick’Em challenges are an important part of Counter-Strike esports. They mix competition and fandom, keeping fans deeply involved in every match. Predicting team results adds extra excitement to each round, clutch, and surprise win.
These challenges also show how esports engagement has grown. Fans are no longer just viewers — they’re participants shaping the storylines. Whether you use Valve’s official Pick’Em or join community events like Skin.Club’s version, prediction games make the bond between players and teams stronger.
Conclusion
The CS2 Pick’Em Challenge is more than a guessing game. It combines knowledge, passion, and rewards in one interactive experience. From buying and activating your Viewer Pass to making predictions and earning collectibles, every step brings you closer to the action.
For long-time fans, Pick’Em is a way to show skill and support favorite teams. For newcomers, it’s an easy and fun way to explore CS2 esports. And for players who prefer not to buy a pass, platforms like Skin.Club’s CS2 Pickems keep the excitement alive.
In the end, Pick’Em isn’t just about making correct predictions. It’s about joining the community, celebrating esports, and enjoying Counter-Strike in its most interactive form.