FISSURE releases statement over prize pool controversy

Russian tournament organizer FISSURE has come under quite a bit of scrutiny following their Playground #1 and #2 events. After FISSURE Playground #2 concluded rumors spread fast and wide regarding financial instabilities at FISSURE. Credible Russian entities like Taverna investigated the story and confirmed that FISSURE was about be cut lose by BetBoom their one and only partner since 2022.

Things took a tumble in November 2025 when FISSURE allegedly fired nearly 80% of their workforce with a blunt single-line message. Counter-Strike's VRS enthusiast @JesperLarsen222 took to X, questioning the status of FISSURE's announced events given their prime slots before the Majors. In response, 100T's Head of Operations Graham "Messioso" Pitt mentioned that teams who took part in FISSURE's Playground events are still struggling to receive their prize money. Many began questioning the VRS implications of these tournaments for teams winning prize money only on paper.

It's very hard to get paid by them for their events last year as it stands. Many teams are struggling to even get responses and all prizemoney is well overdue by this point.
Messioso

"We're aware of the recent community discussion around last year's prize pool payments", wrote FISSURE on X in response to Messioso's allegations, acknowledging the situation. Further down, FISSURE claimed that they were in constant touch with all concerned parties though emails and other official channels. FISSURE cited "infrastructural issues" for their delayed payments and claimed to have paid over $7,000,000 USD in prize money so far.

At the moment, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are experiencing temporary payment infrastructure issues. At the moment, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are experiencing temporary payment infrastructure issues, which we are actively resolving.
FISSURE

FISSURE ended their statement by throwing the blame on banking procedures and assured the community they were working with their "banking partners" to resolve these issues.