CS2 Premier Mode Season 3 is officially live now!
Bad luck for all the Egypt lovers out there – the sandy temples of Anubis are out, and the gritty Berlin underpass is back in rotation. That’s right, Counter-Strike 2’s Premier Season 3 has kicked off, bringing not just a map pool shake-up, but fresh gameplay tweaks and a handy new security feature for all you skin hoarders out there.
Valve confirmed today that Premier Season 3 is officially live as of July 16, 2025. As usual, players can grind for the coveted Season 3 Medal – the medal’s color reflects your peak CS Rating during the season, and for every 25 match wins in Premier, you’ll earn a shiny bar on your medal, up to five in total. So, if you needed an excuse to cancel your weekend plans, you’ve got it.
To earn your medal, you’ll need an account in good standing, rack up at least 25 Premier wins, and keep an active CS Rating at season’s end. So, keep that aim sharp and those teammates calm – or at least do not rage-quit mid-game... The season will (if Valve keeps up their pattern) be live for about 6 months time.
Goodbye Anubis, Hello (Again) Overpass
The biggest headline for Season 3 is the Active Duty Map Pool update: Overpass is back, and Anubis is out.
Overpass has been part of Counter-Strike since the Winter Offensive update dropped in December 2013. It holds the unique distinction of being one of the first maps designed specifically for CS:GO – rather than being a remake from the franchise’s earlier days. With its layered bombsites and emphasis on aggressive map control, it brought a fresh dynamic that shook up the competitive scene.
At first, Overpass wasn’t part of the Active Duty Map Pool – it needed plenty of tweaks and community testing back then. But by early 2014, Valve made it official: Overpass joined the Active Duty roster alongside Cobblestone. Over the years, it became the backdrop for countless legendary moments – from the infamous Olofmeister-boost-scandal to unforgettable Major playoff moments with chaotic B-site holds and last-second A-site executes under Berlin’s iconic TV tower.
After the first CS2 Major in early 2024, Overpass was rotated out in favor of Dust II, giving fans of classic Counter-Strike a nostalgia fix. Anubis had been in the active duty rotation ever since the end of 2022, stunning players with its gorgeous Egyptian canals and stone archways. But while Anubis delivered on visuals, it quickly earned a reputation as the most T-sided map in the pool – its open mid-fights, fast rotations, and tricky angles gave the Ts too much freedom and left CTs scrambling to hold on.
Overpass swings the pendulum back the other way. It’s long been regarded as one of the more CT-sided maps in the game, rewarding those defenders who push for map control and lock down mid early. Expect to see classic boost spots make a return, early B short aggression, and the eternal battle for who controls playground and long A. With the new incendiary grenade changes, the CTs now have even more tools to slow down fast executes and punish careless rushes.
Gameplay Tweaks: Fire, SMGs, And The CT Wallet
Season 3 isn’t just about where you play – it’s also about how you play. Incendiary grenades now spread fire more rapidly, giving defenders a better chance to shut down early rushes and control tight choke points. Expect more teams to get stuck behind flames instead of mindlessly charging through them – or pay the price if they do.
Meanwhile, the MP9 – the budget SMG of choice for CTs everywhere – has been toned down. Its spray pattern is tougher to handle, and your bunny-hopping run-and-gun frags just got harder: jumping accuracy has been significantly reduced. If you relied on leaping around corners spraying people down, you might want to reconsider your buys – or brush up on your bursts.
The CT economy has also gotten a boost. Win or lose, CTs now earn a shared team award for each Terrorist eliminated during a round. It’s a subtle but meaningful change that should help them stay competitive across drawn-out halves and soften the blow of close rounds that slip away. More money means fewer desperate half-buys and a better chance to keep rifles and full utility flowing.
Your Skins Just Got Safer
Valve also rolled out a new feature to help protect your precious loadout. The new “Trade Protected Items” option lets you reverse all Counter-Strike trades made in the last seven days if you get scammed, phished, or lose access to your account. It’s not a cure-all for bad trades or regretful late-night decisions, but it’s a much-needed safety net in a community where valuable skins are traded daily.
You can find the reversal tool on your Steam Account’s Trade History page. For all the details – like what happens when trades are reversed and how items are restored – Valve has published a fresh FAQ alongside this update.
The Meta’s About To Shift
Overpass back in rotation means teams will need to revisit old setups, polish classic executes, and relearn how to fight for map control from playground to Monster. Anubis’s wide-open T-side fireworks are gone – replaced by a map where defenders, armed with faster-spreading fire and a healthier economy, can take the fight to attackers.
The MP9 nerf and incendiary buff could make eco rounds and site retakes look different too – maybe fewer wild jump sprays and more carefully coordinated pushes. And for those who live for the grind, the new Premier season is the perfect excuse to lock in, rack up wins, and show off your Season 3 Medal with all five bars – if you’ve got the skills (and patience) to get there.