A sticker is a cosmetic item in CS2 that a player can "apply" to a weapon skin through the in-game menu. Stickers come in many varieties: team logos, player autographs, art illustrations, and some are released specifically for major tournaments, including the Major — the premier CS2 championships held throughout the season.
Tournament sticker capsules are sold in the in-game store during a specific event. Under the developer's rules, part of the revenue from the sales of these stickers goes to the participating teams and tournament organizers — this is one of the ways esports organizations generate income besides prize money, sponsorship deals, and streaming.
Why this matters beyond cosmetics
Sticker money often becomes a point of dispute between players and organizations. If a team officially shuts down or a roster disbands, the question arises: who should be paid, and how much, from the sales shares of stickers released during that particular roster's run. Such situations periodically surface publicly — former players claim unpaid amounts, including their share from stickers of past tournaments, while organizations either dispute the claims or cite financial difficulties.
This makes stickers more than just inventory decoration — they're part of the esports economy: for a team, they're a stable source of income during a tournament; for players, part of their earnings tied to their performance and recognition; and for viewers, a way to support their favorite team with money (rubles or dollars) by buying a sticker with its logo.
What this looks like for a regular player
For the average user, a sticker is simply a way to customize a weapon: you can apply your favorite team's logo, a player's autograph, or a themed art design, and combine several stickers on one skin. Some stickers, especially limited editions or those with autographs, increase in price on the marketplace over time, turning them into an object of collecting and investment within the game's economy as well.