Kyxsan reportedly did not receive the trophy after being replaced, but did receive a Champions Autograph Sticker, highlighting inconsistent treatment within winning rosters.

Changing who gets a trophy affects the supply and collectible value of related items on the Steam market, with implications for rarity, pricing, and incentives.

Community debate centers on fairness: some argue the trophy should go to the player who played the majority of matches, others suggest separating the trophy from ancillary items like stickers.

Valve changed its official Counter-Strike Major trophy policy after the event, awarding the in-game champion trophy to karrigan for IEM Cologne 2026 despite joining Falcons as a late substitute.

Historically, stand-ins did not receive trophies, and in some cases players did not receive trophies despite playing, while others who played did receive them.

This decision cements karrigan’s status as one of Counter-Strike’s most decorated in-game leaders, marking his second Major title.

The incident underscores tension between quick, centralized governance by Valve and the risks of unilateral changes, including market disruption and lack of formal governance or recourse.

Karrigan’s case is notable as perhaps the first clear instance in Counter-Strike 2 where a substitute received the in-game trophy after competing in the event.

Under prior rules, only officially listed roster players could receive Major trophies or stickers, meaning karrigan would have been ineligible due to replacing kyxsan before the major.

Valve awarded the in-game Major Champion Trophy to Finn 'karrigan' Andersen after IEM Cologne Major 2026, despite him serving as a stand-in for Falcons.

This marks a break from Valve’s long-standing policy that only registered starting lineups are eligible for the in-game trophy, excluding stand-ins regardless of participation.

Valve’s reversal came as champion items were released in CS2, placing karrigan’s name on the items and making him a co-holder of the IEM Cologne 2026 title.