BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 Predictions — Full Preview

BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 kicks off on March 18, 2026, at BLAST Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark. 16 of the best CS2 teams in the world compete for a $1,100,000 prize pool across two weeks of group stage and playoff action.

This is the last major CS2 event before the April 6 deadline for IEM Cologne 2026 Major invitations. Every match carries direct Valve Ranking System (VRS) points implications for teams on the wrong side of the qualification line.

Tournament format

The group stage runs from March 18–23 at BLAST Studios in Copenhagen. The playoffs move to the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, from March 27–29.

Two double-elimination GSL groups of 8 teams compete in the group stage. All matches are Bo3. The top team from each group advances directly to the semifinals. Second and third place advance to the quarterfinals. Fourth place and below are eliminated.

The playoff bracket is single elimination. Quarterfinals and semifinals are Bo3. The Grand Final is Bo5. 6 teams will make it to Rotterdam for the live playoff stage.

Group A

FaZe Clan enter as one of the tournament favorites. They are currently outside the VRS qualification threshold for IEM Cologne, making this a must-win event.

Natus Vincere arrive fresh off ESL Pro League Season 23, where they reached the semifinals. FURIA, the Brazilian powerhouse, finished second at the last major event.

NRG, Aurora, Falcons, B8, and TYLOO complete the group. B8 and TYLOO both need strong results to improve their VRS standings before the Cologne deadline.

Group A teams

FaZe Clan — Natus Vincere — FURIA — Falcons — NRG Esports — Aurora — B8 — TYLOO

Group B

Vitality enter as the strongest favorite in the field. They are the IEM Krakow 2026 champions and arrive with a roster performing at its peak level.

MOUZ, Team Spirit, and Team Liquid are all capable of deep runs. NiP and The MongolZ are in desperate need of VRS points to secure their Cologne Major spots. PARIVISION and 9z complete the group.

Group B teams

Vitality — MOUZ — Team Spirit — Team Liquid — NiP — The MongolZ — PARIVISION — 9z

What is at stake

The winner takes $250,000 from the $1,100,000 prize pool. More importantly, this is the final opportunity to earn VRS points before IEM Cologne 2026 Major invitations are locked on April 6.

Teams like FaZe, Liquid, B8, NiP, and TYLOO are currently outside the qualification threshold. A quarterfinal exit will not be enough. These teams need to reach the semifinals or beyond to move their VRS standings before the deadline.

AI prediction

EsportScanner AI gives Vitality a 68% win probability of reaching the Grand Final. The projection is based on their IEM Krakow title win, HLTV #1 ranking with 1000 points, and dominant Group B seeding.

What to watch

The VRS race in Group A

FaZe Clan, B8, and TYLOO are all fighting for their IEM Cologne lives in Group A. FaZe carry the most pressure — a team with 16 Major titles in their history cannot afford an early group stage exit.

Their opening match against Aurora on March 18 at 17:00 CET is the most important first-round match for VRS implications in the entire tournament.

Vitality vs the field in Group B

Vitality enter Group B as heavy favorites. The question is not whether they advance — it is whether MOUZ, Spirit, or Liquid can push them to Map 3 before the playoff stage.

Any team that takes a map off Vitality in the group stage will carry significant confidence into the knockout rounds.

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