Valve has unexpectedly changed one of its longest-standing Major traditions. After releasing the IEM Cologne Major 2026 champion items in Counter-Strike 2, the developer awarded Finn “karrigan” Andersen an in-game Major Champion Trophy. He received it despite competing as a stand-in for Falcons. The decision breaks Valve’s long-standing policy, which excluded substitute players from receiving the trophy.
Valve breaks a long-standing rule
For years, Valve followed a strict policy for Major champion rewards. Only the registered starting lineup could receive the prestigious in-game trophy. Stand-ins remained ineligible, even if they played every match of the tournament. Meanwhile, registered players still received the trophy even if they never stepped onto the server.
The rule remained unchanged for years. Most players expected Valve to keep using the same system. That changed after Falcons won the IEM Cologne Major 2026. Karrigan led the team as a stand-in, yet Valve still awarded him the champion trophy. He became one of the very few substitute players to receive the in-game reward.
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Previous Majors used the opposite system
The decision surprised the Counter-Strike community because Valve had consistently followed the opposite approach. Before the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, Valve confirmed that stand-ins would not receive champion trophies if their teams won the event. The rule affected several well-known players:
- Senzu replacing controlz;
- zont1x replacing tN1R;
- rain replacing Twistzz.
Even if those players had won the Major, Valve would have awarded the trophy to the registered roster instead.
The best-known example came at the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025. Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev played the entire tournament as NAVI’s stand-in. He helped the team win the Major, but Valve still awarded the trophy to the registered lineup. As a result, s1mple never received the collectible. The system also created unusual situations. Some registered players received champion trophies despite not playing a single map.
Why karrigan’s case stands out
Karrigan’s situation differs from every previous example. He joined Falcons as a stand-in and played throughout the Major. This time, Valve rewarded his contribution with an in-game champion trophy. It appears to be the first clear case in Counter-Strike 2 where a substitute player has received the reward.
The community also noticed another detail. Abdul “kyxsan” Khalimi reportedly did not receive the champion trophy after being replaced. However, he still received a Champions Autograph Sticker as part of the winning roster. That created a unique situation. One player received the sticker without the trophy, while the other earned the trophy as a stand-in.
Community divided over Valve’s decision
Valve’s decision quickly sparked debate across the Counter-Strike community. Many fans argued that the player who actually competes at the Major deserves the trophy.
- “It feels unfair. You play the tournament, but someone else gets the reward.”
- “The in-game trophy should go to the player who actually played.”
Others proposed a compromise.
The trophy belongs to the player who competed. The sticker can stay with the player who earned the VRS points and helped the team qualify.
Some community members also warned about possible abuse.
If Valve allows this every time, teams could make roster changes right before a Major. That could easily become a form of manipulation.
The discussion even expanded to coaches.
Coaches don’t even get stickers, let alone trophies.
Many fans now want Valve to clarify whether karrigan’s case represents a new policy or a one-time exception.
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Valve has yet to explain the decision
Valve has not explained why karrigan received the in-game champion trophy. The developer also has not confirmed whether it changed its policy on stand-ins. Until Valve comments on the situation, fans can only speculate. It remains unclear whether future stand-ins who win a Major will also receive champion trophies or whether karrigan’s case will remain a unique exception.
