Alkaren to Miss PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 — HEROIC Forced to Use yxngstxr Again

HEROIC will compete at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 without AWPer Älımjan “Alkaren” Bitimbay, continuing a difficult start to the CS2 season for the European squad. The tournament participant list confirms that Simon “yxngstxr” Boije will stand in once again.

This marks the third consecutive event HEROIC will play without Alkaren, raising concerns about roster stability and the team’s chances in one of the biggest CS2 tournaments of early 2026.

Why Alkaren Is Missing PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026

According to tournament information and previous reporting, Alkaren’s absence is linked to ongoing visa and border issues that have already disrupted HEROIC’s 2026 LAN schedule.

Earlier in the season, HEROIC IGL Chr1zN explained that the AWPer was turned away at the border, forcing him to miss bootcamp and the BLAST Bounty Winter event. He described the situation as “very unfortunate” and said the team had to “make the best out of a not so good situation.”

These issues now extend into February, meaning HEROIC will once again compete without their main sniper on LAN.

yxngstxr Steps In as Stand-In AWPer

Swedish player yxngstxr will replace Alkaren at PGL Cluj-Napoca — the same emergency solution HEROIC used earlier this year.

The stand-in previously said the call-up came at the last moment, adding that he is trying to “make the best out of the situation and show up for the team.”

However, relying on a stand-in for multiple events in a row creates serious strategic limitations:

Reduced preparation time

Constant role adjustments

Limited tactical depth

Pressure on the core roster

These challenges have already impacted HEROIC’s results in early 2026.

HEROIC Results Without Alkaren in 2026

The team has yet to reach playoffs at major events this year without their primary AWPer:

BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 — Missed playoffs

IEM Krakow 2026 — Missed playoffs

With PGL Cluj-Napoca featuring a stacked field and a million-dollar prize pool, HEROIC face an uphill battle to break this trend.

PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026: Event Overview

Key tournament details

Event: PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 (CS2)

Dates: February 14–22, 2026

Location: Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Prize pool: $1,250,000 total

$625,000 player share

$625,000 club share

The event is one of the biggest early-season LAN tournaments and an important ranking opportunity before the spring Major cycle.

Related PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 Roster News

FUT Replaces Legacy

Brazilian team Legacy withdrew due to roster eligibility issues after benching lux. Turkish squad FUT was announced as their replacement shortly afterward.

Team Spirit Skip the Tournament

Team Spirit coach hally admitted the organization did not expect every top team to attend and was surprised after seeing the final participant list.

These changes highlight how turbulent the start of the CS2 season has been for multiple teams.

What This Means for HEROIC at Cluj-Napoca

The biggest question heading into the event is simple:

Can HEROIC stay competitive without Alkaren for a third straight LAN?

The team must adapt quickly with a stand-in AWPer while facing elite opposition. Without stable preparation and defined roles, HEROIC’s playoff chances remain uncertain.

Still, strong individual performances and rapid adaptation could turn the tournament into a breakthrough moment for the reshaped roster.