Espelkamp/Berlin, November 10, 2025 – MERKUR is back in esports – and with one of Germany's most successful esports organizations: Berlin International Gaming (BIG). At the heart of the collaboration is the MERKUR Cash Cups tournament series, a revival of the popular MERKUR Masters, which ranked among the largest national Counter-Strike tournaments and appealed to amateur and pro teams alike.
"The goal of this initiative is to promote esports in Germany through a strong national competition," explains Nils Rullkötter, Head of MERKUR GROUP Marketing. With this cooperation, MERKUR is betting on the future of a dynamic, digital environment that has long been more than a niche phenomenon.
As part of the cooperation, BIG will host six Counter-Strike 2 cups on a bi-monthly schedule through the BIG Club on Faceit. The BIG Club is the fastest-growing and largest hub for Counter-Strike 2 across the entire DACH region. More than 115,000 members compete every month for a prize pool of €4,500. This offering will now be expanded with the Cash Cup. As a partner, BIG will also regularly promote the tournament across all digital channels (streaming and social media).
"The MERKUR Masters were an important step for the German Counter-Strike esports landscape at the time. We are all the more excited to continue this chapter with the MERKUR Cash Cups," says Daniel Finkler, CEO of BIG. "That we were able to win MERKUR back as a partner for one of the largest national esports tournaments underscores the strength and lasting impact of the original concept. With the MERKUR Cash Cups, we are finally continuing this success story."
MERKUR is also optimistic about the cooperation: "Gaming and esports shape the leisure culture of an entire generation today. That makes this space incredibly exciting for us. With BIG at our side, we have a strong, internationally renowned partner – the best foundation for a shared and successful future," says Nils Rullkötter.
Beyond the competitive play, sustainable and responsible structures are also a priority. Together with WebID, BIG provides standardized identity checks and age verification to ensure fair and secure participation. In addition, MERKUR and BIG are planning further activities, such as a joint company sports bootcamp at BIG's Berlin location, which will give MERKUR employees a look into the world of esports.