BLAST Rivals Fall 2026 starts on 11 November in Hong Kong, bringing eight of the best Counter-Strike teams in the world together for five days and a $1 million prize pool. It is a short, sharp tournament where there is very little room for a slow start, and it doubles as a dress rehearsal for the PGL Major in Singapore later this month. Here is your guide to the teams, the format and the storylines at BLAST Rivals Fall 2026.

BLAST Rivals Fall 2026 Format and Schedule

The tournament runs from 11 to 15 November, with the group stage on 11 and 12 November, the quarterfinals on 13 November, the semifinals on 14 November and the grand final on 15 November. According to Strafe's tournament guide, the eight teams are split into two groups of four, each played as a double-elimination bracket. The top three teams in each group qualify for the playoffs.

The group result matters more than it first appears. Group winners are seeded straight into the semifinals, while the second and third-placed teams have to go through the quarterfinals. Every group match is a best-of-three, the quarterfinals and semifinals are best-of-three too, and the grand final is a best-of-five. Think of it as a ladder: win your group and you skip a rung, which in a five-day event can be the difference between a fresh squad and a tired one on finals day.

The Teams

The groups for BLAST Rivals Fall 2026 look like this:

• Group A: Legacy, Team Vitality, Team Falcons and FURIA.
• Group B: Team Spirit, MOUZ, G2 Esports and FUT Esports.

According to Gaming.net's preview, Spirit, Vitality, Falcons and FURIA return from the 2025 edition in Hong Kong, while FUT, Legacy, G2 and MOUZ are new to the event.

Storylines to Watch

Can FURIA defend the title?

FURIA arrive as defending champions, having beaten Falcons in last year's final. Group A is a tough draw for them, with Falcons, Vitality and Legacy all in the same bracket. A repeat would mean beating at least two of the strongest teams in the field just to reach the final.

Falcons and Vitality: unfinished business

Falcons were last year's runners-up, and Vitality were eliminated at the semifinal stage by Falcons. Both are now in the same group, which means one of them is going to start the tournament with an elimination match against a familiar rival.

Debutants with something to prove

Legacy, MOUZ, G2 and FUT all make their first appearance at this event. With every one of these eight teams also set to play at the PGL Major, this is the first real chance to see how the Major contenders compare under LAN pressure before Singapore.

Why BLAST Rivals Matters for the Road to the Major

The tournament comes just over a week before the PGL Major kicks off in Singapore, and all eight teams in Hong Kong have a place at that Major. Results here will shape how teams are seen heading into the Swiss stages, and any roster tweaks, map-pool experiments or form dips will be watched closely.

BLAST Rivals Fall 2026 FAQ

When is the BLAST Rivals Fall 2026 grand final?

The grand final is on Sunday 15 November 2026, played as a best-of-five.

How much is the BLAST Rivals Fall 2026 prize pool?

The prize pool is $1 million.

How many teams play in BLAST Rivals Fall 2026?

Eight teams take part, split into two groups of four.

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