BLAST Announces BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026

BLAST has officially revealed the details for BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026, which will take place in Rotterdam, Netherlands, featuring top Counter-Strike teams competing for a $1.1 million prize pool and valuable VRS ranking points.

Tournament Overview

BLAST Open Rotterdam will be held in Rotterdam Ahoy, bringing together 16 teams from around the world. The event will begin with a group stage using a double-elimination format, where teams compete in best-of-three matches. The top teams from each group will advance to the single-elimination playoff stage, which will culminate in the grand final played in front of a live audience. The tournament offers a $1,100,000 prize pool and significant ranking points that could influence invitations to future top-tier Counter-Strike events.

Teams and Players

The tournament will feature 16 teams, including squads invited based on their VRS rankings as well as teams qualifying through regional competitions. Several of the world’s strongest rosters are expected to participate, representing regions such as Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Some teams have recently undergone roster changes ahead of the event, making Rotterdam an important opportunity to test their new lineups against elite competition.

The tournament will feature 16 teams invited through the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) and regional qualifiers.

The teams expected to compete are:

1. Vitality

2. FURIA

3. PARIVISION

4. NAVI

5. Spirit

6. Falcons

7. MOUZ

8. Aurora

9. The MongolZ

10. B8

11. FaZe Clan

12. Ninjas in Pyjamas

13. Team Liquid

14. TYLOO

15. NRG

16. 9z Team

From the BLAST Rising Asia qualifier, TYLOO secured a spot in the tournament.

Credit to: Blast.tv

Teams to Watch

Several top European teams enter BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 as favorites, but analysts believe a few underdogs could challenge if they find momentum during the group stage.

Vitality remain the clear team to beat. Despite missing ESL Pro League Season 23, they are still far ahead of the chasing pack and sit comfortably at the top of the power rankings. As always, every team in the tournament will be looking for a way to stop their dominance.

NAVI also arrive with confidence after winning ESL Pro League. Their victory showed the potential of makazze and proved that the team can compete with the best when everything clicks. Rotterdam will be another test to see if that level can be maintained.

Among the teams to watch is The MongolZ, who have shown steady improvement since adding cobrazera. While they are still rebuilding after the Senzu era, a win against a top-five team would be a significant result.

FaZe Clan could also be a surprise contender. Despite struggling in recent events, the roster still has the experience to produce unexpected results.

Previous Edition

BLAST Open Lisbon 2025 ResultsTeam Vitality won the BLAST Open Lisbon 2025 title, while MOUZ finished in second place and Team Spirit secured third place. The MongolZ finished the tournament in 8th place.

BLAST Open London 2025 ResultsTeam Vitality won BLAST Open London 2025, with MOUZ finishing as runner-up and Team Spirit placing third.