Launders LAN 2 brought Toronto CS2 to life: 32 teams, $10K CAD, and Rivalry's electric Toronto Counter-Strike 2 LAN.
I still get goosebumps thinking about Launders LAN 2. It was April 20-21, 2024, and Toronto's Counter-Strike 2 scene was absolutely buzzing. No cap, this was the event that put Canadian CS2 on the map. Mohan "Launders" Govindasamy, the man himself, teamed up with Rivalry to throw a LAN that was bigger and better than the previous FragFest. And let me tell you, it was lit.
The Setup
The tournament took place at The Warehouse, located at 35 Carl Hall Rd #2, North York, ON. A 600-person venue packed with 32 teams battling for a $10,000 CAD prize pool. I remember walking in and feeling the energy. It was like a scene from a movie, but with more energy drinks and RGB keyboards. The event was a sequel to FragFest, which went down in January 2024 at the Red Bull Gaming Studio. That one drew 125 competitors and over 300,000 impressions on social media. But Launders LAN 2? It was on another level.
How to Get In
If you wanted to compete, you had to be 19+ and register on start.gg. You also had to be in the Rivalry Discord to check in with the admins. I remember the process: visit start.gg, search for the CS2 tournament, select the event, click "Join Now," and enter your info. Simple enough, but the competition was fierce. Spectators had it good too: tickets went on sale March 3rd, and the experience included cocktails, live casting, and booths. It was a full-on party.
The Experience
Rivalry didn't hold back. They livestreamed the whole thing on Launders' official Twitch channel. Attendees and Rivalry customers could even bet on CS2 matches during the tournament. I'm not a big bettor, but I saw plenty of people sweating their picks. There were also Launders-themed merchandise, contests, and on-site activations. I snagged a hoodie that I still wear to this day. The vibe was immaculate.
The Legacy
Launders said it best: "We're throwing Toronto's biggest Counter-Strike 2 LAN again, but bigger and better. The local community has spoken, and we're upping the ante with more prize money, teams, and venue space for more fans to watch and compete." And he wasn't kidding. That event set the stage for what CS2 in Toronto could be. Now, in 2026, we're seeing even more LANs pop up, but Launders LAN 2 will always be the one that started it all for me.
Key Takeaways
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🎮 32 teams, $10,000 CAD prize pool
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📍 The Warehouse, North York, ON
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🍹 Cocktails, live casting, booths
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📺 Livestreamed on Launders' Twitch
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🎁 Merch, contests, activations
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🔞 19+ to compete
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 20-21, 2024 |
| Location | 35 Carl Hall Rd #2, North York, ON M3K 2B6 |
| Prize Pool | $10,000 CAD |
| Teams | 32 |
| Venue Capacity | 600 people |
| Registration | start.gg, 19+, Rivalry Discord |
| Spectator Perks | Cocktails, live casting, booths |
| Livestream | Launders' Twitch channel |
If you missed it, you missed a banger. But hey, the memories are still fresh. And with the way the scene is growing, I wouldn't be surprised if we see even bigger things in 2026. Stay frosty, and GG.
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