Xaxas
24.03.2026
The group stage of BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 has concluded, locking in the six teams that will travel to the Ahoy Arena for the playoffs. Across six days of play in Copenhagen, the event delivered a mix of expected dominance from top contenders and surprising exits that reshaped the bracket.
Vitality and Natus Vincere emerged as the two strongest teams of the group stage, securing direct semi-final spots, while The MongolZ, Falcons, PARIVISION, and Aurora battled through elimination matches to claim the remaining playoff berths.
The tournament now transitions to Rotterdam, where the remaining teams will compete in a single-elimination playoff bracket. Group winners advance directly to the semi-finals, while second and third-place teams begin from the quarter-finals.
Quarter-finals on March 27:
Aurora vs The MongolZ PARIVISION vs Falcons
Semi-finals on March 28:
Vitality vs Aurora or The MongolZ Natus Vincere vs PARIVISION or Falcons
Grand final on March 29
All matches will be best-of-three, with the grand final played as a best-of-five.
Vitality confirmed their place in the semi-finals after defeating PARIVISION 2-0 in the Group B upper bracket final. The series on Mirage and Inferno was defined by a string of clutch situations and momentum swings.
Mathieu ZywOo Herbaut was the standout performer, delivering consistent impact throughout the series. His 1v5 clutch in overtime on Inferno proved to be the decisive moment, breaking PARIVISION's resistance and securing the win.
Despite the loss, PARIVISION showed resilience, pushing both maps to competitive finishes and demonstrating strong individual performances, particularly in late-round scenarios.
Natus Vincere secured their semi-final berth with a convincing 2-0 victory over Aurora. The series followed a familiar pattern, with NAVI controlling key phases of both maps through structured play and disciplined execution.
On Anubis, NAVI established early control with a mid-focused approach before closing out the map after stabilizing their defense. Nuke followed a similar trajectory, with Aurora finding early rounds but struggling once full buys came into play.
Strong performances from makazze and iM highlighted NAVI's depth, while their consistent economy management and CT side setups ensured they remained in control throughout the series.
Aurora, despite the loss, advanced to the playoffs through their earlier bracket run and will begin their campaign in the quarter-finals.
Falcons secured their playoff spot after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over FURIA in the Group A lower bracket final. The series featured multiple comebacks and momentum shifts, particularly on Mirage and Nuke.
Falcons recovered from a 7-11 deficit on Mirage to win 13-11, before dropping Dust2 in overtime. The deciding map on Nuke saw FURIA take a commanding 9-3 lead at halftime, only for Falcons to mount a near-flawless defensive comeback to close out the series 13-10.
Ilya m0NESY Osipov was instrumental in the victory, consistently finding multi-kills and leading the team through high-pressure situations. Falcons' ability to adapt mid-series and maintain composure in late rounds proved decisive.
FURIA's elimination continues a difficult run of form following their exit from ESL Pro League Season 23, as the team once again struggled to convert strong starts into match wins.
The MongolZ claimed the final playoff spot with a 2-0 victory over Spirit, delivering one of the biggest surprises of the group stage.
They secured Nuke 13-11 before completing a comeback from 1-7 down on Overpass to win 13-9. The series showcased both their resilience and ability to capitalize on key moments.
Ayush mzinho Batbold led the charge with a standout performance, particularly on Nuke, where his multi-kill rounds helped establish early momentum. Contributions from cobrazera and 910 in clutch situations further strengthened their position.
Spirit, despite strong individual performances from donk and sh1ro, struggled with coordination and consistency. The result marks another early exit for the team following their recent playoff elimination at ESL Pro League Season 23.
PARIVISION and Aurora complete the list of playoff teams, both entering the bracket through the group stage's double-elimination system.
PARIVISION's structured approach and ability to remain competitive against top-tier opposition secured their place despite the loss to Vitality.
Aurora, meanwhile, showed flashes of strong individual play and aggressive setups throughout the group stage.
Both teams now face challenging quarter-final matchups, where they will need to overcome in-form opponents to advance further.
The following teams have qualified for the BLAST Open Rotterdam playoffs:
Vitality Natus Vincere The MongolZ Falcons PARIVISION Aurora
With the stage set in Rotterdam, the playoffs will bring together a mix of tournament favorites and rising contenders, setting the scene for a decisive final weekend.
Xaxas
24.03.2026
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