BLAST Bounty Season 1 Finals: Full Team List, Power Rankings, Format, and Key Storylines

The BLAST Bounty Season 1 Finals team list is now complete, with eight teams qualifying for the LAN playoffs in Malta following a highly competitive 32-team online stage. The event promises drama, as several elite teams failed to qualify, while others arrive with roster issues and draft pressure looming.

With a single-elimination playoff format, a live opponent draft, and a $772,500 prize pool, the BLAST Bounty S1 Finals are shaping up to be one of the most volatile CS2 events of early 2026

BLAST Bounty S1 Finals – Qualified Teams

The following eight teams secured their spots at the BLAST studio in Malta:

Vitality – HLTV #1

FURIA – HLTV #2

Falcons – HLTV #3 (stand-in confirmed)

Spirit – HLTV #8

Liquid – HLTV #15

PARIVISION – HLTV #19

GamerLegion – HLTV #21

HEROIC – HLTV #24

Notably, FaZe Clan, Natus Vincere, and Aurora were eliminated during the online phase, leaving the Finals with fewer top-10 teams than expected.

Falcons Forced Into Lineup Change Ahead of LAN

One of the biggest storylines heading into the Finals is Falcons’ roster situation. The team will compete with Matej “NucleonZ” Trajkoski instead of Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin, who is unable to attend the event due to unresolved visa issues.

In a single-elimination LAN, even a short-term stand-in can have a major impact on preparation, map pool depth, and mid-round communication.

Format Breakdown: Draft Pressure and No Second Chances

Location: BLAST Studios, Malta

Dates: January 22–25, 2026

Format:

Single-elimination playoffs

Best-of-three matches

Best-of-five grand final

Prize Pool: $772,500

Live Opponent Draft

The four lowest-seeded teams will draft their opponents from the top four seeds during a live BLAST draft show.
Liquid will draft first, giving them a potential strategic edge in avoiding the strongest favorite.

This draft format has historically added intense psychological pressure, with players openly acknowledging how difficult these decisions can be on stage.

BLAST Bounty S1 Finals – Power Rankings

S-Tier Favorites

1. Vitality
The world’s top-ranked team enters the event as the clear benchmark. In a short LAN format, Vitality remain the most stable and complete roster on paper.

2. Spirit
Despite being seeded outside the top four, Spirit’s ceiling and composure in high-pressure matches make them one of the most dangerous teams in the bracket.

A-Tier Contenders

3. Falcons
Even with elite firepower, the confirmed stand-in raises serious questions. In a one-match elimination format, any lack of synergy could be fatal.

4. FURIA
FURIA qualified, but their online performance showed inconsistency. They will need a noticeable step up to challenge the tournament favorites.

B-Tier Dark Horses

5. Liquid
The first pick in the opponent draft is a major advantage. If Liquid navigate the bracket wisely, a deep run is realistic.

6. PARIVISION
Lower seed, but the BLAST Bounty format has historically favored teams capable of peaking for a single series.

Upset Territory

7. GamerLegion
Well-drilled and capable of punishing mistakes, but likely to face a brutal opening matchup.

8. HEROIC
The lowest-ranked team at the Finals, yet still dangerous in a single-elimination environment where momentum matters.

Why BLAST Bounty S1 Finals Matter

Fewer top-10 teams than expected increase upset potential

Live draft mechanics directly influence playoff paths

Stand-ins and roster instability raise volatility

Single-elimination amplifies every mistake

BLAST Bounty continues to evolve as a format-driven event, prioritizing pressure, incentives, and viewer engagement over long group stages.