Relog Media Announces HLC Cyprus Pro: A $30,000 LAN Event Ahead of the IEM Cologne Major Cut-Off
Relog Media Announces HLC Cyprus Pro: A $30,000 LAN Event Ahead of the IEM Cologne Major Cut-Off
Serbian esports organizer Relog Media has revealed plans to host a new Counter-Strike 2 LAN tournament in Cyprus, scheduled for early April, strategically timed just before the cut-off for invites to the upcoming IEM Cologne Major. The event, named HLC CYPRUS PRO, is set to take place in Limassol, Cyprus from April 3–5, 2026, offering a total prize pool of $30,000 USD and featuring 16 competing teams.
The tournament’s placement on the competitive calendar is noteworthy. Valve’s Valve Regional Standings (VRS) — the ranking system that now solely determines invites to Counter-Strike’s premier Majors — will see a new published update on **April 6, the first one used to decide invites for the 2026 IEM Cologne Major. This timing means HLC CYPRUS PRO could be one of the last opportunities for teams outside the top ranks to earn crucial VRS points heading into the Major selection.
Event Structure and Format
The tournament will follow a hybrid competitive format designed to maximize playtime — and potential VRS point gains — for every registered team. All 16 teams will begin in a round-robin group stage, guaranteeing at least three matches per team, with the top eight advancing to a single-elimination bracket to contest the playoffs.
Relog has set an open sign-up process for the main event. The 12 highest-ranked teams — determined by their VRS standings at the time of registration — will secure places automatically, while the remaining four slots will be filled through a local qualifier. Given the unavoidable deadline pressures for teams chasing Major qualification, this mix of open entry and merit-based placement has already generated interest from competitors aiming to improve their season’s results.
The prize money breakdown will reward the four top finishers, with $12,000 to the champion, $8,000 for second place, $6,000 for third, and $4,000 for the fourth-placed team.
Why These Smaller LANs Matter
The significance of events like HLC CYPRUS PRO goes beyond the relatively modest prize pool. Since Valve transitioned away from traditional Regional Major Ranking (RMR) competitions, Counter-Strike’s competitive structure has placed increased importance on the VRS points system. This model ranks teams globally and directly influences their eligibility for Majors and top-tier competitions.
That shift has triggered a broader trend: smaller LAN tournaments, often with limited prize money, are drawing serious competition, especially from teams in the fringes of the VRS top-ranked brackets. Many squads now travel long distances or invest significant resources in attending these events because even a modest bump in points can be the difference between reaching a Major or being forced to grind qualifiers.
European and North American LANs such as the Birch Cup in Poland — a Valve Tier 2 event with a $15,000 prize pool — and Fragadelphia’s Blocktoberfest in the United States have recently illustrated this phenomenon. Despite their smaller scale, many of these events attract well-known teams aiming to secure their spot in Majors by earning ranked points against competitive opposition.
The Broader Major Picture – IEM Cologne 2026
The 2026 Intel Extreme Masters Cologne Major — one of Counter-Strike’s most historic and widely anticipated tournaments — is scheduled to take place in June at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany. Organised by ESL FACEIT Group, the event will host the top 32 teams globally based on VRS rankings and promises a significant prize pool and major competitive prestige.
Unlike traditional large-scale online qualifiers, these open LANs play a strategic role in determining rankings before the official cut-off. For many teams, performing well in tournaments such as HLC CYPRUS PRO can be an economical and effective way to influence their standing ahead of the Major.
Final Thoughts
HLC CYPRUS PRO represents more than just another regional LAN — it underscores an evolving competitive ecosystem in Counter-Strike where every ranked match counts, and timing is often as important as skill. With the VRS cut-off fast approaching and the IEM Cologne Major looming large on the esports horizon, events like this will be pivotal chapters in teams’ quests for qualification, exposure, and long-term success in the 2026 season.
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