BLAST Premier Bounty Winter 2026 Day 3: Full Schedule, Matchups, Rankings, Odds, and Key Storylines

The third day of BLAST Premier Bounty Winter 2026 (Season 1) continues the online Round of 32, with four decisive best-of-three matches taking place on January 15, 2026. With a single-elimination format in effect, every series carries high stakes as teams fight for survival and a spot in the LAN Finals in Malta.

Day 3 stands out due to several high-profile matchups, significant ranking gaps, and the ongoing impact of the tournament’s opponent-selection (bounty) system, which continues to shape early-round narratives.

BLAST Premier Bounty Winter 2026 — Day 3 Schedule (January 15)

All matches are played online and use a Bo3 format.

M80 vs Gentle Mates — 12:00 CET

Seeds: M80 (#19) vs Gentle Mates (#14)

Opponent selection: M80 selected Gentle Mates

Overview: One of the most evenly balanced matchups of the day based on market expectations, with neither side holding a clear statistical advantage. This series is widely viewed as a potential three-map contest.

Inner Circle vs 3DMAX — 14:30 CET

Seeds: Inner Circle (#25) vs 3DMAX (#10)

Opponent selection: Inner Circle selected 3DMAX

Overview: Despite the significant ranking difference, Inner Circle’s decision to pick 3DMAX highlights the strategic risk-reward element of the bounty system.

Ninjas in Pyjamas vs Team Liquid — 17:00 CET

VRS Global Rank: NiP (#30) vs Liquid (#8)

Overview: The headline match of Day 3. Two globally recognized organizations meet unusually early in the bracket, with the loser exiting the tournament after just one series. The matchup is widely regarded as LAN-caliber despite being played in the online stage.

ECSTATIC vs Team Falcons — 19:30 CET

Seeds: ECSTATIC (#32) vs Falcons (#2)

Overview: Falcons enter the match as overwhelming favorites, with one of the largest ranking gaps seen in the Round of 32. Any map loss would be considered a major surprise.

Tournament Format Explained

BLAST Premier Bounty Winter 2026 features:

32 teams in the online stage

Single-elimination Bo3 matches

Eight teams advancing to the LAN Finals in Malta

A Bo5 Grand Final at the LAN stage

Event dates: January 13–25, 2026

The event introduces a bounty-based prize structure, rewarding teams for eliminating higher-valued opponents. This system directly influences opponent selection in early rounds and adds a strategic layer beyond pure competitive seeding.

Rankings and Odds: How to Read the Numbers

Because rankings vary by system, Day 3 expectations are shaped by three main indicators:

1. Seeding and opponent selection

Teams actively choose opponents in the opening round, turning early matches into calculated risks rather than random draws.

2. VRS Global Ranking (BLAST)

BLAST’s official listings provide a consistent ranking reference, particularly relevant for matchups like Falcons vs ECSTATIC and Liquid vs NiP.

3. Betting odds (market expectation)

Odds reflect consensus expectations rather than competitive certainty, highlighting which teams are under pressure to deliver clean wins.

Key Storylines to Watch on Day 3

NiP vs Liquid: Early elimination pressure

A single Bo3 will decide the fate of two major brands. With no lower bracket, even small mistakes in vetoes or economy management could end a tournament run instantly.

Falcons under the microscope

As one of the highest-ranked teams in attendance, Falcons face extreme expectations. Dominance is assumed; anything less becomes a headline.

The bounty draft meta

Opponent selection continues to shape the bracket. Several teams have openly stated that veto dynamics and roster familiarity play a major role in draft decisions, rather than ranking alone.

Related News Around BLAST Premier Bounty Winter 2026

Multiple invited teams declined participation, leading to last-minute replacements in the 32-team online stage.

ECSTATIC entered the tournament following Imperial’s withdrawal.

Friendly Campers replaced NRG and inherited their bracket position.

HEROIC competed with a stand-in due to visa issues affecting Alkaren.

Early upsets, including FaZe’s opening-round loss, reinforced the volatility of the single-elimination format.

Why Day 3 Matters

Day 3 of BLAST Premier Bounty Winter 2026 represents a turning point in the online stage. With increasing bracket clarity and mounting pressure on favorites, the margin for error continues to shrink. Several teams will exit the event before ever reaching LAN contention, while others gain momentum — and bounty value — heading into the next round.