by Ciaran Jackman in
eSports Betting News

PGL have revealed the lineup for their highly anticipated Counter-Strike 2 tournament, set to take place in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, from February 14 to 23, 2025.

The event, featuring a US$1.25 million prize pool, promises high-stakes competition, though notable absences from the top-tier scene have shifted the landscape.

Despite being the top two teams in Valve’s Ranking Standings (VRS), Team Spirit and G2 Esports have opted out of the event.

They are joined by other elite organisations such as Team Vitality, Natus Vincere, and Team Liquid, citing the tight scheduling following IEM Katowice, which concludes just five days before the PGL tournament begins.

The participating teams were selected based on their VRS as of January 6, 2025, paving the way for new contenders to take the spotlight.

Among the highest-ranked teams competing are The MongolZ, who claimed victory at the 2024 Thunderpick World Championship, and FaZe Clan, a perennial powerhouse in Counter-Strike.

MOUZ also enters the fray, marking their first appearance since signing Lotan ‘Spinx’ Giladi.

The tournament will feature a diverse roster of 16 teams, including three from Brazil—FURIA Esports, paiN Gaming, and MIBR—as well as North American representatives Complexity and Wildcard.

The lineup is rounded out by Astralis, Virtus.pro, 3DMAX, BIG, SAW, Australia’s FlyQuest, Eternal Fire, and Team Falcons, all eager to capitalise on the opportunity presented by the absence of several top-tier competitors.

The group stage will be hosted at the PGL Studio in Bucharest from February 14 to 20, before moving to the BT Arena in Cluj-Napoca for the playoffs on February 21 to 23.

For teams like The MongolZ and Eternal Fire, this tournament represents a chance to claim a major Tier 1 title, breaking through the barriers often posed by the giants of the competitive scene.

Eternal Fire, in particular, has been knocking on the door of success, with runner-up finishes at BetBoom Dacha Belgrade Season 2, ESL Pro League S20, and BLAST Bounty Season 1.

Meanwhile, Astralis hopes to end their long LAN title drought dating back to 2019, and Falcons aim to solidify their presence among the world’s best.

While some fans may lament the absence of teams like Spirit, G2, and NaVi, the void left by these powerhouses has created room for underdog stories to unfold.

The high-stakes competition ensures that any victory here will significantly impact the VRS standings, shaping future invitations and the broader competitive landscape.

With a massive prize pool on offer and a more open field of competitors, PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 is set to deliver thrilling matches and potentially crown a new champion in Counter-Strike 2’s evolving era.


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