FURIA, 9z and G2 Among Final FPG 3 Invites for $1M CS2 Event

FURIA, 9z and G2 are among the final invited teams confirmed for FISSURE Playground 3, strengthening the field for the $1 million Counter-Strike 2 tournament in China.

FISSURE's latest invitation wave also includes FUT, Astralis, BIG and GamerLegion. Fifteen of the tournament's 16 places are therefore accounted for, with the remaining participant set to come through the Asia Closed Qualifier. FISSURE Playground 3 is scheduled for September 8-13, 2026, in Suzhou, China.

 

Quick Summary

Detail	Information
Event	FISSURE Playground 3
Game	Counter-Strike 2
Location	Suzhou, China
Dates	September 8-13, 2026
Teams	16
Confirmed teams	15
Remaining slot	Asia Closed Qualifier
Prize pool	$1,000,000
Latest invitees	FURIA, 9z, FUT, G2, Astralis, BIG, GamerLegion
Asia Closed Qualifier	August 31-September 3
Event status	Upcoming

 

FURIA, 9z and G2 Complete the Final Invitation Wave

FISSURE has revealed the final group of direct invitees for FISSURE Playground 3. FURIA are the headline addition, with 9z, FUT, G2, Astralis, BIG and GamerLegion also accepting places at the September tournament.

The announcement takes the confirmed field to 15 teams.

The final position will not be awarded through another direct invitation. Instead, it will go to the winner of the Asia Closed Qualifier, scheduled for August 31-September 3.

That leaves the current participant list as:

Team	Qualification route
FURIA	VRS invitation
FUT	VRS invitation
FaZe	VRS invitation
Astralis	VRS invitation
Legacy	VRS invitation
The MongolZ	VRS invitation
GamerLegion	VRS invitation
BIG	VRS invitation
9z	VRS invitation
G2	VRS invitation
PARIVISION	VRS invitation
MIBR	VRS invitation
BetBoom	VRS invitation
TYLOO	VRS invitation
Alliance	VRS invitation
TBD	Asia Closed Qualifier

The invitation structure is tied to Valve's ranking system, with FISSURE previously outlining a VRS-based approach for its direct main-event places.

 

Why FURIA's Invitation Stands Out

FURIA return to the Playground series after winning FISSURE Playground 2, adding a defending-champion storyline to the Suzhou event.

 

FURIA arrive with an especially relevant connection to the Playground series: the Brazilian organization won FISSURE Playground 2 in 2025.

Their return therefore gives the tournament a defending-champion storyline alongside the broader competitive significance of adding another high-profile team.

The roster listed by HLTV at the time of the invitation announcement is:

FURIA

FalleN

yuurih

YEKINDAR

KSCERATO

molodoy

Coach: sidde

FURIA were listed at No. 3 on HLTV when the invitation article was published.

 

9z Add Another South American Contender

9z strengthen the South American representation at FISSURE Playground 3 alongside FURIA, Legacy and MIBR.

 

9z provide another significant South American presence alongside FURIA, Legacy and MIBR.

HLTV noted that both FURIA and 9z were inside the top 10 of the relevant VRS landscape at the time of the announcement, making their additions particularly valuable to the overall strength of the FPG 3 field.

Their listed lineup is:

9z

max

dgt

meyern

luchov

HUASOPEEK

Coach: BIT

The tournament therefore has the potential to produce several direct South American matchups in addition to clashes with established European and Asian opposition.

 

G2 Join a Deep European Field

G2 are another major name included in the final invitation wave.

Their participation adds to an already broad European contingent featuring FaZe, Astralis, BIG, GamerLegion and FUT, while PARIVISION and BetBoom further deepen the international field.

G2's listed lineup at the announcement was:

G2

huNter-

NertZ

r1nkle

HeavyGod

MATYS

Coach: sAw

HLTV listed G2 at No. 10 in its ranking at publication time.

 

Background: What Is FISSURE Playground 3?

The FISSURE Playground series brings together international CS2 teams, with Playground 3 set to move the competition to Suzhou, China.

 

FISSURE Playground 3 is a 16-team LAN tournament scheduled to take place in Suzhou, China, from September 8-13.

The event carries a $1 million total prize pool and is listed as a ranked event. The published tournament structure includes a double-elimination best-of-three group stage followed by single-elimination best-of-three playoffs.

The event has undergone notable changes on its route to Suzhou.

The September competition was previously planned under the FISSURE Playground 5 name and for Shenzhen. It was subsequently renamed following the cancellation of earlier Playground editions because of what FISSURE described as logistical conflicts, with Suzhou becoming the new host city.

FISSURE is working with Chinese operator GGMEDIA on the event.

 

FISSURE Playground 3 Timeline

Date	Development
November 12, 2025	FISSURE publishes plans for the September 2026 China event, then known as Playground 5
August 2026	Event is set for Suzhou following changes to the Playground calendar
August 11, 2026	First eight invitees reported, including FaZe and The MongolZ
August 19, 2026	FURIA, 9z, G2, FUT, Astralis, BIG and GamerLegion announced among final invites
August 31-September 3	Asia Closed Qualifier scheduled
September 8	FISSURE Playground 3 begins
September 13	Scheduled final day

 

Key FPG 3 Details

Category	Status
Host city	Suzhou
Country	China
Main event dates	September 8-13
Total teams	16
Directly confirmed teams	15
Qualifier places	1
Prize pool	$1 million
Group stage	Double elimination
Group matches	Best-of-three
Playoffs	Single elimination
Event type	Ranked
Opening matchups	TBD
Groups	TBD
Final qualifier	TBD

The tournament page currently lists Cache, Dust2, Mirage, Inferno, Nuke, Ancient and Anubis as its map pool.

 

Why the Final FPG 3 Invites Matter

The latest additions change FPG 3 from an interesting international LAN into a substantially deeper tournament.

FURIA bring a direct connection to the previous Playground title. G2 and Astralis add organizations with extensive international Counter-Strike histories, while 9z expand the South American challenge. BIG, GamerLegion and FUT further increase the number of credible European opponents.

Combined with FaZe, The MongolZ, Legacy, PARIVISION, BetBoom, MIBR, TYLOO and Alliance, the tournament should offer considerable stylistic variety.

There is also competitive importance beyond the trophy. FISSURE Playground 3 is categorized as a ranked event, meaning its results can matter within the broader competitive ecosystem. Exact future ranking gains or losses cannot be responsibly projected before matches are played, so no specific VRS movement should be assumed.

 

Tournament Impact

One immediate consequence of the final invitations is that FPG 3 now has representation from several major Counter-Strike regions.

Brazil alone has FURIA, Legacy and MIBR in the confirmed field. 9z add another South American representative, while TYLOO and The MongolZ strengthen the Asian side of the lineup.

Europe supplies G2, FaZe, Astralis, BIG, GamerLegion and FUT, among others.

The last Asian qualifier place means that regional representation could expand further once qualification concludes.

Tactical impact

The variety of teams should make preparation less straightforward.

Participants may need to prepare for opponents from several competitive regions rather than repeatedly facing familiar domestic or European opposition. That can increase the importance of adaptable vetoes, anti-stratting and the ability to adjust during a best-of-three series.

This is analysis rather than a confirmed competitive outcome; actual tactical implications will depend on the groups, opening matchups and team form closer to September.

 

The BLAST Open Porto Scheduling Challenge

One of the most important storylines may develop before FPG 3 even begins.

FISSURE Playground 3 starts shortly after BLAST Open Porto concludes. HLTV highlighted FURIA, Legacy and 9z among the teams potentially affected because they are involved in both events.

If one of those teams reaches the Porto final, it would face a particularly short turnaround before travelling from Portugal to China for the September 8 start of FPG 3.

That does not guarantee a competitive disadvantage, but travel time, preparation and recovery could become factors worth monitoring.

 

What Changes Now?

FISSURE no longer has a large set of invitations left to reveal.

The main-event picture is effectively complete: 15 teams are confirmed and only the Asian qualifier winner remains unknown.

Attention can therefore move from invitation speculation toward the final qualifier, group allocation, opening matchups and schedule.

For FURIA, 9z and other teams attending BLAST Open Porto, their results there will also determine how difficult the transition to China becomes.

 

What to Watch Next

The first major checkpoint is the Asia Closed Qualifier from August 31 to September 3. Its winner will complete the 16-team field.

After that, the most important outstanding information includes the finalized groups, opening matches and detailed schedule.

BLAST Open Porto is another event to monitor closely. A deep run by FURIA, 9z or Legacy could leave very little turnaround time before FPG 3.

Finally, FURIA's attempt to follow their Playground 2 victory with another strong FISSURE run gives the Brazilian side one of the clearest narratives heading into Suzhou.

 

FAQ

Are FURIA, 9z and G2 playing at FISSURE Playground 3?

Yes. FURIA, 9z and G2 were included in the final wave of invitations alongside FUT, Astralis, BIG and GamerLegion.

When is FISSURE Playground 3?

The tournament is scheduled for September 8-13, 2026.

Where will FPG 3 take place?

FISSURE Playground 3 will be held in Suzhou, China.

What is the FISSURE Playground 3 prize pool?

The event has a listed total prize pool of $1 million.

Are all 16 FPG 3 teams confirmed?

Not yet. Fifteen teams have been confirmed, while the final place is reserved for the winner of the Asia Closed Qualifier, scheduled for August 31-September 3.