Cache comeback marks the beginning of new legendary Counter-Strike moments 

On April 28, 2026, Valve officially brought Counter-Strike 2 map Cache back after a seven-year absence from official matchmaking. Removed from the Active Duty pool in 2019 and replaced by Vertigo, the map was fully rebuilt for the Source 2 engine after Valve acquired the rights from Shawn "FMPONE" Snelling in 2025. The new version keeps Cache’s iconic gameplay while introducing major visual, lighting, and texture upgrades. 

FMPONE confirmed the philosophy behind the rebuild was simple: Cache is fair and balanced, and changes bring more risk than reward. With Cache back in the pool, it's worth revisiting the matches that made it iconic. The most-watched de_cache game ever came at the ELEAGUE Major 2017 in Atlanta, where Astralis edged Fnatic 19-16 in overtime to peak at over 785,000 concurrent viewers. That same year, Astralis topped Fnatic again at PGL Major Krakow, defeating SK Gaming 16-12 on Cache in the quarterfinals before 708,000 viewers. 

Virtus.Pro also built a Cache legacy, particularly at EPICENTER 2017, where their dominant T-side carried them to a 16-12 win over SK Gaming during one of the most watched non-Major finals of the year. 

Cache is expected to enter the Premier and Active Duty pool after IEM Cologne Major 2026. A new chapter of iconic Cache moments is just getting started. 

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