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PGL Bucharest 2026: Schedule, Format, Prize Pool, Teams & Everything You Need to Know


PGL Bucharest 2026
Image: PGL

PGL announced PGL Bucharest 2026, a Tier 1 international tournament set to showcase the best CS2 teams in the world.


Hosted from April 3–13, 2026 at PGL Studios in Bucharest, Romania, this event promises elite gameplay, fierce competition, and a whopping $1.25 million prize pool.


Let’s break down the full details: dates, qualification formats, team invitations, and how this tournament ties into Valve’s Global VRS (Valve Regional Standings).


Key Dates & Format

  • Main Event (LAN): April 3–13, 2026 – 16 teams compete at PGL Studios, Bucharest

  • Open Qualifiers: February 14–17, 2026

  • Closed Qualifiers: February 26 – March 1, 2026

  • VRS Invite Publication: February 2, 2026

  • Seeding VRS Date: March 2, 2026


How the Teams Qualify

Direct Invites (12 Teams)

  • 12 teams will receive direct LAN invitations based on the Global VRS rankings published by Valve.

  • Teams must retain at least 3 core players from the invite date to remain eligible.

Online Qualifiers (4 Teams)

EU / NA / SA Pathway:

  • Open Qualifiers: Each region (EU, NA, SA) hosts 2 open qualifiers (Top 2 from each advance to Closed Qualifier).

  • Closed Qualifiers:

    • 8 teams total (4 from Open, 4 via VRS invites)

    • Format: Double Elimination

    • Matches: BO3, Grand Final: BO5

    • One winner qualifies per region

Asia Pathway:

Split into Oceania, West Asia, East Asia:

  • Each sub-region:

    • 2 invited via VRS

    • 2 qualify via Open Qualifier

    • 4 teams play in Closed Qualifier (Double Elimination, BO3)

    • One team qualifies from each sub-region

  • Asia Final: 3 teams

    • Format: Round Robin (BO3) until a clear winner emerges

    • The winner qualifies for the Main Event


Prize Pool Breakdown – $1,250,000

Placement

Total Winnings

Prize Money

Club Reward

1st Place

$400,000

$200,000

$200,000

2nd Place

$187,500

$93,750

$93,750

3rd Place

$150,000

$75,000

$75,000

4th

$87,500

$43,750

$43,750

5th–8th

$62,500

$31,250

$31,250

9th–11th

$31,250

$15,625

$15,625

12th–14th

$18,750

$9,375

$9,375

15th–16th

$12,500

$6,250

$6,250


Roster & Eligibility Guidelines

  • Minimum Roster: 5 players + 1 coach + 1 substitute

  • Eligibility: 3 out of 5 core players must be retained from invite date

  • Deadline: Full rosters must be submitted by the official deadline

  • Declines/No Response: Invites will pass down the VRS list if a team cannot participate

  • Visa Requirement: All players must secure Schengen Area visas or risk forfeiting their slots


What’s Next?

PGL has confirmed another Counter-Strike 2 event scheduled for April 13–25, 2027, meaning the Bucharest series is far from over. Expect more details on next year’s event after the 2026 champion is crowned.


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