Monte vs. Natus Vincere at BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 — Can Monte “Block” NaVi from the Main Event?
Monte vs. Natus Vincere at BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 — Can Monte “Block” NaVi from the Main Event?
In one of the first pivotal matchups of the 2026 competitive CS2 season, Monte will face Natus Vincere (commonly known as NaVi) in the closed European qualifier for BLAST Bounty Winter 2026. The game is scheduled for January 14, 2026 in the online round of 32, and carries significant pressure: the loser will be eliminated from contention for the main LAN event in Malta later this month.
This matchup has drawn interest because — on paper — Monte is seen as a much weaker team compared to NaVi, leading to talk among fans and analysts about whether Monte can realistically “block” NaVi’s progression to the main event. However, the facts show this is less a matter of politics or restriction and more simply a competitive elimination match: the winner continues in the qualifier and the loser exits.
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026: Format and Stakes
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 is an online European closed qualifier running from January 13–18, 2026. Thirty-two teams compete for eight spots in the main event scheduled in Malta late this month. Qualifiers follow a single-elimination bracket, meaning one loss eliminates a team. Teams that fail here won’t appear in the LAN portion of BLAST Bounty Winter 2026.
Unlike Majors or Tier 1 Valve events, BLAST Bounty events are part of the broader BLAST Premier ecosystem — important for match-making rating (VRS) and prize money, but not a Major itself.
Match Preview: Monte vs. NaVi
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Match format: Best of 3 (three maps).
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Stage: Closed qualifier, round of 32.
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Implication: Loser is eliminated from BLAST Bounty qualifying; winner must win another match to reach the main event.
According to match odds aggregated from bookmakers, NaVi is a heavy favorite. Early odds from Cybersport’s reporting showed NaVi around 1.17 and Monte around 5.00, reflecting this disparity.
On prediction sites, user sentiment strongly favors NaVi, often above 90% likelihood to win. Monte’s chances are seen as poor, though some analysts acknowledge they can force close maps if NaVi falters.
Monte’s recent form is mixed; they have had some success in lower-tier events and boast a few wins in their last five matches, but they remain unranked or lower-tier compared to established top teams like NaVi. NaVi, widely recognized as a Tier-1 team, consistently places high in Majors and Premier circuits.
Historical head-to-head:
The last recorded meeting (CS:GO era) occurred in 2023, with NaVi winning 2-0. Monte does have one prior victory over NaVi from that period, but it was the exception, not the rule.
Who Are NaVi and Monte?
Natus Vincere (NaVi) is one of the most storied esports organizations in Counter-Strike history, transitioning into CS2 after the genre shift in late 2023. Even after roster changes and periods of instability, they remain among the top teams in Europe. Their achievements include winning a CS2 Major (PGL Copenhagen 2024), strong ESL Pro League results, and consistent international performances. (
NaVi’s CS2 roster contains established pros with deep strategic experience — a clear advantage against most teams in qualifiers like this.
Monte, in contrast, is a smaller organization that fields a competitive but generally lower-tier lineup. Their impact on the world stage is limited compared to NaVi, which is reflected in their odds and rankings.
Why the “Will Monte Block NaVi?” Question?
The original Cybersport headline “Can Monte not let NaVi into BLAST Bounty Winter 2026?” reflects a common fan narrative — i.e., can an underdog upset a favorite and prevent them from reaching a major part of the tournament. However, there is no rule or external mechanism blocking NaVi from participation; this is simply a matter of Monte potentially causing an upset on the server through gameplay.
Analysts have highlighted that NaVi’s position isn’t guaranteed. Some broader tactical previews of BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 suggest NaVi — along with other top teams like FaZe and Astralis — could struggle in qualifiers if they underperform, even if they remain favorites on paper.
Conclusion
In short:
✔ This match is a standard qualifier elimination — NaVi isn’t being banned or blocked by external forces; Monte simply has a chance to upset them on the server.
✔ NaVi is widely expected to win and advance, based on odds and community predictions.
✔ Monte’s role is that of an underdog facing a historically stronger opponent — but upsets can happen in CS2, especially in a best-of-three.
The broader significance is that early 2026 events like BLAST Bounty Winter continue to formalize CS2’s competitive landscape after a full year of growth, offering important VRS points and momentum heading into larger tournaments later in the season.
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