Everything you need to know about BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026: teams, format, schedule, and talentёё

Everything you need to know about BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026: teams, format, schedule, and talent

BLAST Open Rotterdam will serve as one of the major Counter-Strike 2 tournaments of the early 2026 season, bringing together some of the world’s best teams to compete for a total prize pool of $1.1 million. The event runs from March 18 to March 29, starting with the group stage in Copenhagen, Denmark, before moving to a live arena finale in Rotterdam, Netherlands. 

The tournament is part of the revamped BLAST circuit introduced after Valve removed the long-standing partner team system in Counter-Strike esports, pushing organizers toward open formats based on ranking invites and qualifiers. 

Teams and qualification

A total of 16 teams will compete in BLAST Open Rotterdam. Twelve of those teams received direct invitations based on the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) rankings at the time invites were issued in February, while the remaining four teams earned their spots through regional qualification tournaments held across Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. 

One of the most notable absences from the event is G2, which narrowly missed out on an invitation after placing 13th in the rankings when invites were finalized.

The 16 participants are split into two groups of eight teams each:

Group A

• FURIA

• Falcons

• Natus Vincere

• Aurora

• FaZe

• B8

• NRG

• TYLOO

Group B

• Vitality

• PARIVISION

• Spirit

• MOUZ

• The MongolZ

• Liquid

• Ninjas in Pyjamas

• 9z

Format

The tournament uses a double-elimination group stage followed by a single-elimination playoff bracket. During the group stage, each group of eight teams competes in best-of-three matches. The winner of each group advances directly to the semi-finals of the playoffs, while the teams finishing second and third move on to the quarter-finals. 

After the group stage concludes, only six teams remain and advance to the playoffs. The final stage features a single-elimination bracket with best-of-three matches leading up to a best-of-five grand final. 

Schedule and venue

The competition begins with the group stage running March 18–23 at BLAST’s studio facility near Copenhagen. After a short break, the final six teams travel to the Netherlands for the arena portion of the event. 

The playoffs will take place March 27–29 at the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, a venue capable of hosting around 15,000 spectators. The arena stage will determine the champion in front of a live audience and global broadcast. 

Prize pool distribution

BLAST Open Rotterdam features a $1.1 million total prize pool, split between direct player winnings and club share payments to organizations. 

Key payouts include:

• 1st place: $150,000 for players + $100,000 club share

• 2nd place: $60,000 + $100,000 club share

• 3rd–4th place: $40,000 + $75,000 club share

• 5th–6th place: $20,000 + $55,000 club share

Lower placements also receive smaller payouts, ensuring all teams earn prize money for participating. 

Broadcast talent

BLAST has also confirmed the on-air broadcast lineup for the event. The desk will feature several familiar faces from Counter-Strike broadcasts, including Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen, Jacob “Pimp” Winneche, Alex “Mauisnake” Ellenberg, and Donald “voo” Parkhurst. 

Joining them are two newcomers to BLAST productions: Natalie “NatTea” Mahoney, known for her work in Dota 2 events such as The International, and stage host Iain Chambers, who previously worked in the Rainbow Six esports scene. 

The casting duos for the event include Scrawny and launders, as well as the veteran pairing of Anders and HenryG.

A major early-season event

As the first BLAST Open tournament of 2026, the Rotterdam event is expected to play a key role in shaping the competitive landscape early in the year. With elite teams such as Vitality, Spirit, FaZe, and NAVI competing for a large prize pool and valuable ranking points, the tournament promises high-level Counter-Strike action both online and in front of a live arena crowd.