Valve adds Cache to CS2! Relieving the most popular matches FMPONE’s iconic map

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Valve recently announced that de_cache is finally coming to CS2 after years away from action. Celebrating the return of this iconic map by FMPONE, Esports Charts takes a look back at the most popular de_cache matches ever.

Valve and FMPONE have been hinting at de_cache’s return for weeks. The Counter-Strike 2 X account changed its background to a snap of an updated de_cache, and FMPONE has been vocal about cache’s future in recent weeks. Finally, on the evening of April 28, Valve took to X to officially announce the map’s return, and indeed, immediately added it back to the map pool.
 

Welc☢️me back. pic.twitter.com/DWW2HOgyDR

— CS2 (@CounterStrike) April 28, 2026

What are the most popular de_cache matches?

The most popular de_cache match of all time came during the ELEAGUE Major 2017, held in Atlanta, Georgia, with a $1,000,000 prize pool. Two famed Counter-Strike organizations clashed in the semi-final, with Astralis setting out to prove themselves a step ahead of Fnatic and their storied legacy. 

The semifinal was one of the Major’s most popular matches, and on the opening map, de_cache, Astralis took Fnatic to overtime, ultimately defeating the Swedish lineup 19:16. At peak excitement as this game entered overtime, over 785,000 Peak Viewers (PV) were recorded. Astralis proceeded to defeat Fnatic 2:0, and then claim a nail-bitingly close 2:1 victory over Virtus.Pro to win their orgaizations first-of-four Major title.

The second-most popular de_cache game featured SK Gaming and Astralis at PGL Major Kraków 2017. As the reigning champions, Astralis brought a significant viewership to the quarterfinals match, but SK Gaming also were coming off a hot-streak, having won many events in the build-up to the Major. While SK had beaten Astralis in the Group Stage at the event, the Danish team was in a different gear for playoffs; Astralis defeated SK 16:12 on the first map, de_cache, to the tune of 708,000 PV before comfortably closing out a 2:0 win.

Finishing up the podium places, and heading to the following year’s ELEAGUE Major 2018, FaZe Clan defeated MOUZ, mousesports at the time, to advance with a flawless record to the semifinals. FaZe would ultimately lose the title to Cloud9, a Cinderella story for the North American team, but their playoffs games dominated event viewership, making them one of biggest victors in terms of brand exposure from the event — not to mention being immortalised in CS history for their grand finals against C9. 

In the final two places, Virtus.Pro cemented their status as one of de_cache’s legendary teams. Unfortunately, their most popular game on the map was an uncharacteristic loss against North at the ELEAGUE Major 2017; while VP appeared totally in control on the opening map, North’s pick, they were overwhelmed by North’s T-side on de_cache and lost 12:16 in front of over 550,000 PV. 

However, at the EPICENTER 2017, Virtus.Pro met SK Gaming in the grand finals for a gruelling best-of-five game. After losing two of the first three maps, VP met SK on de_cache, where they cruised to a 16:12 victory thanks to their unstoppable T-side. Ultimately, SK would claim the event’s trophy with a 22:18 overtime victory on de_cobblestone; this climatic final was one of the most popular non-Major matches of 2017. 

Most popular de_cache matches, Oct 2016 – 2019

How did Valve and FMPONE tease de_cache’s CS2 release?

de_cache’s return to CS2 has been coming for years. FMPONE first teased a remake of the map for CS2 back in early 2024, and he proceeded to release his own CS2 remake last year. Valve ultimately decided to purchase the map from FMPONE upon its Workshop release, and has since been finetuning their own version of the classic map.

Valve have made numerous nods since purchasing de_cache towards the map’s return. In early 2026, they replied “It’s cooking” in response to NAVI asking about the map, but things began heating up once Valve updated their CS2 X account’s banner to an image of de_cache, but not one fans had seen before. Word quickly spread about a new official version of de_cache, and Valve continued to drop hint after hint. Eventually, the the update finally arrived on April 28.