CS2 Upcoming Tournaments: BLAST Open Fall 2026, Group A Quarterfinal Predictions

Group A of BLAST Open Fall 2026 opens its Upper Bracket Quarterfinals on August 26, and the four matchups set the tone for the rest of the group. The event runs a GSL-style double elimination format, so an Upper Bracket win here means a direct route toward the semifinals while a loss only drops a team to the lower bracket rather than eliminating them outright.

That safety net makes these openers less about survival and more about seeding, which matters when GoCore's Pick'ems lobby rewards picking the right side of every match rather than just the eventual group winner.

Group A Breakdown: Four Quarterfinal Matchups

Team Spirit vs DENDELE CS

Team Spirit enter Porto as the reigning EWC 2026 champions and the clear favorites of the entire group. DENDELE CS, the rebranded Sharks Esports side, arrive as massive underdogs with far less top tier LAN experience. Spirit's individual firepower and structured map play point to a comfortable straight sets win here.

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G2 Esports vs Aurora Gaming

This is the first real test of the group. Aurora bring genuine star power with XANTARES, woxic, and Jimpphat, and they showed at EWC that they can trade with top ten opposition. G2 sit inside the global top ten themselves and carry more consistency across a Bo3, which tips this matchup in their favor, though a map steal from Aurora would not be a shock.

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FURIA vs paiN Gaming

An all Brazilian derby to open the group. paiN stepped into this event on short notice after BetBoom withdrew due to visa issues, which limited their preparation window. FURIA head in with a settled roster and home continent crowd support behind them, both of which favor a Furia win.

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M80 vs Natus Vincere

NAVI carry significantly more championship pedigree into this matchup, including a Major title on their resume. M80 have flashed upside domestically but have struggled to convert that form against top tier European rosters. NAVI's tactical depth should be the deciding factor across two maps.

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With Team Spirit, G2 Esports, FURIA, and Natus Vincere all favored to advance, Group A's Upper Bracket Semifinals shape up as a genuine collision of contenders. Spirit remain the team to beat, but G2 and NAVI both carry the tools to make a deep run if the bracket falls their way.

Lock in these Group A picks on GoCore's Pick'ems before the August 26 matches go live, then track how the Lower Bracket reshuffles once results start rolling in.

TL;DR

• Group A Upper Bracket Quarterfinals begin August 26 at BLAST Open Fall 2026
• Team Spirit, G2 Esports, FURIA, and Natus Vincere are the favored picks
• paiN Gaming stepped in on short notice after BetBoom's visa withdrawal
• Double elimination format means Upper Bracket losers stay alive in the Lower Bracket
• GoCore Pick'ems opens ahead of the August 26 matches