BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 Day 1 Schedule: Matches, Rankings, Format Explained (January 13)

The BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 tournament officially launches the new CS2 season, with the first day of online qualifiers taking place on January 13, 2026. A total of 32 teams are competing in the opening stage, fighting for eight spots at the LAN finals in Malta later this month.

Below is an SEO-optimized breakdown of the Day 1 schedule, a ranked list of the most important matches, key format details, and verified related news surrounding the event.

BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 — Day 1 Match Schedule (Jan 13)

Time zone: CET / MSK

OG vs FUT — 12:00 CET / 14:00 MSK

EYEBALLERS vs FaZe Clan — 14:30 CET / 16:30 MSK

fnatic vs Astralis — 17:00 CET / 19:00 MSK

HOTU vs Aurora — 19:30 CET / 21:30 MSK

All matches are played online as part of the opening elimination phase.

Ranked Matches to Watch on Day 1

1️⃣ FaZe Clan vs EYEBALLERS — Main Upset Candidate

This matchup is the most talked-about clash of the day. FaZe Clan enter the tournament with one of the highest bounty values, instantly making them a prime target for lower-seeded teams. EYEBALLERS, known for aggressive CS2 play, have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

2️⃣ fnatic vs Astralis — Legendary Rivalry Returns

A classic Counter-Strike rivalry headlines Day 1 as fnatic face Astralis. Both organizations are rebuilding momentum for 2026, making this match critical for confidence and bracket positioning.

3️⃣ HOTU vs Aurora — High-Bounty Pressure

Aurora are among the top-seeded teams and carry a significant bounty into the opening round. That makes them an immediate strategic target for HOTU, who can make a name for themselves with a single victory.

4️⃣ OG vs FUT — Tournament Opener

The opening match between OG and FUT sets the tone for the entire tournament. Early wins are especially valuable in BLAST Bounty due to its unique opponent-selection system.

BLAST Bounty Format Explained (SEO Quick Guide)

BLAST Bounty is built around risk-versus-reward gameplay:

Lower-seeded teams select their opponents

Higher-seeded teams begin the event with cash bounties

Eliminating a top seed transfers its bounty to the winning team

Bounty values increase deeper into the tournament

This format encourages aggressive picks and creates early upset potential, even in the first round.

Verified Player Insight on the Bounty Draft

During the draft phase, Jack “Gizmy” von Spreckelsen commented on unexpected team placements:

“We were expecting the top-four to be Vitality, Spirit, Falcons, and FURIA… but with roster changes, you never know how teams will perform early on.”

This highlights how roster instability and early-season form play a major role in BLAST Bounty strategies.

Related BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 News

ECSTATIC replaced Imperial in the final team list ahead of the qualifiers

G2, MOUZ, and The MongolZ declined invitations, reducing top-tier density but increasing upset potential

BLAST confirmed its broadcast talent lineup, including Scrawny, Launders, Harry, Hugo, Pimp, Mauisnake, and Banks

Why BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 Matters for CS2

BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 is one of the first major CS2 tournaments of the year, setting the competitive tone for upcoming S-tier events. Early eliminations, bounty swings, and surprise runs can heavily influence rankings, invitations, and team confidence going forward.