NRG Withdraw from BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 — Friendly Campers Replace Them and Face HEROIC

NRG Esports have officially withdrawn from BLAST Bounty Winter 2026, skipping the online stage of the tournament. The organizer, BLAST, confirmed the roster change but did not provide any explanation for NRG’s decision.

As a result, Friendly Campers have been invited as a replacement and will inherit NRG’s drafted matchup, facing HEROIC in the Round of 32.

What Happened to NRG at BLAST Bounty Winter 2026?

NRG were originally listed among the 32 teams competing in the BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 online stage. However, shortly before the start of the event, BLAST updated the participant list and confirmed that NRG would not take part.

Key confirmed facts:

NRG withdrew before the online stage

BLAST did not disclose the reason

The vacated slot was immediately reassigned

At the time of writing, no public statements from NRG players or staff have been released regarding the withdrawal.

Friendly Campers Take Over NRG’s Drafted Matchup

Due to BLAST Bounty’s draft-based format, replacement teams inherit the exact position of the withdrawn roster.

NRG had previously selected HEROIC as their opening opponent

Friendly Campers now take over that pick

The matchup will be played unchanged in the Round of 32

This makes Friendly Campers’ debut especially challenging, as HEROIC remain one of the most experienced teams in the field.

BLAST Bounty Winter 2026: Format and Schedule

BLAST Bounty uses a bounty-hunting system rather than a traditional seeded bracket:

Lower-seeded teams choose their opponents

Victories allow teams to claim part of an opponent’s bounty

The system encourages upsets and aggressive draft strategies

Tournament details:

Dates: January 13–25, 2026

Online stage: January 13–18 (32 teams → 8 qualify)

LAN Finals: Malta studio

Prize pool: $1,150,000

NRG Are Not the Only Team to Skip BLAST Bounty

NRG’s withdrawal fits a broader trend surrounding BLAST Bounty Winter 2026:

Several top-tier teams declined invitations earlier, including G2 Esports, MOUZ, and The MongolZ

Imperial Esports also withdrew and were replaced by ECSTATIC

Previously, representatives from other organizations have cited visa issues, tight schedules, and low VRS impact as common reasons for skipping mostly online BLAST events — though none of these reasons have been attributed to NRG.

Why NRG’s Absence Matters

NRG’s decision impacts both competitive balance and viewership:

One of North America’s most recognizable CS brands will be missing

Friendly Campers gain a rare opportunity on a Tier-1 stage

HEROIC face an unexpected opponent switch without preparation changes

What to Watch Next

Possible official statement from NRG

Performance of Friendly Campers in their high-pressure debut

Any further late roster changes before the online stage begins

BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 continues to highlight how draft formats and replacement rules can dramatically reshape the tournament narrative — even before the first match is played.