Stake Ranked Episode 3 Bracket Announced: Ninjas in Pyjamas Open Against K27 in Barcelona

08.07.2026 - 22:44

Stake Ranked Episode 3 Bracket Announced: Ninjas in Pyjamas Open Against K27 in Barcelona

Short intro

StarLadder has officially unveiled the playoff bracket for Stake Ranked Episode 3, setting the stage for another four-day LAN event in Barcelona. Defending champions Ninjas in Pyjamas will kick off their campaign against K27, while several newly rebuilt lineups—including HEROIC—will make their first appearance together in one of the summer's most anticipated ranked tournaments.

With $100,000 on the line and a double-elimination format, the event promises important competitive tests ahead of the next stage of the 2026 Counter-Strike season.

Quick Summary

Item	Details
Event	Stake Ranked Episode 3
Organizer	StarLadder
Dates	July 15–18, 2026
Location	Barcelona, Spain
Prize Pool	$100,000
Format	Double-elimination playoffs, Bo3 (Grand Final Bo5)
Defending Champions	Ninjas in Pyjamas
Opening Match	Ninjas in Pyjamas vs K27
Status	Officially announced

Stake Ranked Episode 3 Bracket Announced

StarLadder has confirmed the complete opening bracket for Stake Ranked Episode 3, an eight-team LAN tournament taking place in Barcelona between July 15 and July 18.

The event continues the Stake Ranked series that has quickly become a recurring international competition featuring invited teams alongside qualified challengers. The tournament uses a double-elimination playoff bracket, with every match played as a best-of-three except for the grand final, which will be contested as a best-of-five.

The headline first-round matchup sees Ninjas in Pyjamas begin their title defense against K27.

NIP enter the event looking to rebound after an early exit at XSE Pro League Guangzhou, where the organization competed with academy stand-in Roman "n0te" Hamze and finished the Swiss stage with a 1-3 record. According to HLTV, the Barcelona tournament represents an immediate opportunity for the team to regain momentum after that disappointing performance. NiP Promotes n0te to Main Roster Ahead of Upcoming Tournaments

Meanwhile, Marco "Snappi" Pfeiffer's squad faces K27 in what will be one of the opening day's featured matches.

The opposite side of the bracket features another storyline as HEROIC debut their new roster—including Ludvig "Brollan" Brolin and Antonio "MartinezSa" Martinez—against 3DMAX. Elsewhere, Wildcard meet Gentle Mates, while paiN face Phantom.

Opening Bracket

Match	Date
Ninjas in Pyjamas vs K27	July 15
3DMAX vs HEROIC	July 15
Wildcard vs Gentle Mates	July 15
paiN vs Phantom	July 15

Times are available on the official event schedule.

Background

Stake Ranked has become one of StarLadder's recurring ranked LAN circuits throughout 2026.

Episode 1 was won by G2, while Ninjas in Pyjamas captured the Episode 2 championship in Barcelona, making them the defending champions entering Episode 3.

This edition again features:

Eight teams
$100,000 prize pool
Barcelona LAN
Double-elimination playoff bracket

Unlike large multi-stage tournaments, Stake Ranked begins directly with playoffs, meaning every series immediately impacts the championship race.

Why This Matters

Several major storylines converge in this bracket:

NIP's first chance to bounce back

After an underwhelming showing in Guangzhou, the defending champions have an opportunity to immediately rebuild confidence.

HEROIC's new era begins

The tournament will provide the first official look at HEROIC's revamped lineup in LAN competition.

Qualified underdogs get their opportunity

Both K27 and Phantom earned their places through the closed qualifier, giving them the chance to upset established international organizations.

Timeline

Date	Event
June 7	Open Qualifier concludes
June 18–21	Closed Qualifier determines final teams
July 8	Official bracket announced
July 15	Tournament begins
July 18	Grand Final

Key Tournament Details

Category	Information
Organizer	StarLadder
Event	Stake Ranked Episode 3
Prize Pool	$100,000
Teams	8
Format	Double Elimination
Match Format	Bo3
Grand Final	Bo5
Venue	Barcelona, Spain
Dates	July 15–18

Impact Analysis

The opening draw creates very different pressure points for the participating teams.

For Ninjas in Pyjamas, the expectation is clear. As defending champions, anything short of another deep playoff run will inevitably invite comparisons to their Episode 2 title-winning campaign.

For K27, facing the reigning champions immediately offers both the toughest possible opening test and the biggest opportunity to make an impression on an international LAN.

HEROIC's matchup may attract equal attention. With a significantly refreshed roster, every official series will be closely watched as analysts evaluate how quickly the new lineup develops.

Since the event uses a double-elimination bracket, teams are not eliminated after a single defeat, allowing early losers a second path toward the playoffs.