| Prefer us on Google — see Tips.gg in Top Stories & Discover | Add on Google |
The Esports World Cup 2026 Counter-Strike 2 tournament runs from August 12 to August 23 in Paris, France. The festival moved out of Riyadh this year due to regional conflicts, relocating to two venues across the French capital: the group stage takes place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, and the playoffs wrap up at the Accor Arena. Tickets for the finals sold out almost immediately. Thirty-two teams are competing for a record $2,000,000 prize pool, making this the biggest CS2 purse the EWC has ever offered.
This is CS2’s third appearance at the Esports World Cup. Natus Vincere lifted the trophy in 2024, The MongolZ won it in 2025, and the 2026 edition will determine whether anyone can defend on French soil. We think the field this year is deeper than either previous installment, and the format rewards consistency over a single hot series.
All 32 Teams in the Main Event
Here is the full roster of teams competing in the EWC 2026 CS2 main stage. If you’re new to sports betting, this list is your starting point for understanding the field.
| Region | Team |
|---|---|
| Europe | Team Falcons |
| Russia | Team Spirit |
| Brazil | FURIA |
| Europe | Team Vitality |
| Europe | MOUZ |
| Europe | Natus Vincere |
| South America | 9z |
| Türkiye | Aurora Gaming |
| Europe | G2 Esports |
| Russia | BetBoom Team |
| Europe | FaZe Clan |
| Brazil | Legacy |
| Denmark | Astralis |
| Mongolia | The MongolZ |
| Europe | FUT Esports |
| Russia | PARIVISION |
| Ukraine | B8 |
| Brazil | paiN Gaming |
| France | 3DMAX |
| Europe | GamerLegion |
| Europe | magic |
| Europe | Luminosity |
| Brazil | MIBR |
| China | TYLOO |
| Denmark | Ninjas in Pyjamas |
| Germany | BIG |
| United States | M80 |
| China | Lynn Vision |
| Europe | 100 Thieves |
| Russia | K27 |
| North America | Wildcard |
| Asia | JiJieHao |
Format Breakdown
The main event is split into two stages. Understanding the terminology is easier with a solid sports betting glossary nearby.
Group Stage
- 32 teams split into 4 groups of 8
- Double-elimination (GSL) format within each group
- Opening matches are best-of-1
- All following matches (winners, elimination, and decider rounds) are best-of-3
- The top 4 teams from each group advance to the playoffs, 16 in total
Playoffs
- 16-team single-elimination bracket
- All matches except the Grand Final are best-of-3
- The Grand Final is a best-of-5
- A third-place decider will be played for extra prize money and VRS points
- Held at the Accor Arena in Paris
The group stage runs from August 12 to August 15. The organizers may confirm specific match formats for later playoff rounds closer to those dates. We honestly think the Bo1 openers are the most volatile part of the bracket, and upsets on Day 1 could reshape entire groups before the Bo3s even start.
Day 1 Schedule: August 12 Opening Matches
All 32 teams play their first group stage match on August 12. Here is the full opening round schedule.
Group A
| Match | Time (BST) | Time (CEST) |
|---|---|---|
| Luminosity vs. GamerLegion | 10:00 | 11:00 |
| BIG vs. Aurora Gaming | 10:00 | 11:00 |
| Team Spirit vs. JiJieHao | 11:30 | 12:30 |
| G2 Esports vs. M80 | 13:00 | 14:00 |
Group B
| Match | Time (BST) | Time (CEST) |
|---|---|---|
| Team Falcons vs. K27 | 14:30 | 15:30 |
| Ninjas in Pyjamas vs. Legacy | 14:30 | 15:30 |
| BetBoom Team vs. FaZe Clan | 16:00 | 17:00 |
| MIBR vs. Astralis | 17:30 | 18:30 |
Group C
| Match | Time (BST) | Time (CEST) |
|---|---|---|
| FUT Esports vs. TYLOO | 11:00 | 12:00 |
| PARIVISION vs. B8 | 16:00 | 17:00 |
| Team Vitality vs. 100 Thieves | 19:00 | 20:00 |
| Lynn Vision vs. MOUZ | 20:30 | 21:30 |
Group D
| Match | Time (BST) | Time (CEST) |
|---|---|---|
| magic vs. The MongolZ | 13:00 | 14:00 |
| Natus Vincere vs. 3DMAX | 17:30 | 18:30 |
| Wildcard vs. FURIA | 19:00 | 20:00 |
| 9z vs. paiN Gaming | 20:30 | 21:30 |
Groups to Watch and TipsGG Editorial Takes
Group B stands out as the most loaded. BetBoom Team against FaZe Clan in a Bo1 opener is a coin flip that could send a top-tier squad into the lower bracket immediately. MIBR vs. Astralis is another match where the loser faces an uncomfortable path through elimination rounds. We think Group B will produce the most drama on Day 1.
Group D features the defending champion The MongolZ opening against magic, and Natus Vincere (the 2024 winners) facing 3DMAX on French home turf. The crowd noise for that one could be a real factor. FURIA should handle Wildcard, but Bo1s make nothing safe.
Group C has a sneaky late-night headliner: Lynn Vision vs. MOUZ at 20:30 BST. Lynn Vision earned their spot through the ACL and have nothing to lose. Team Vitality against 100 Thieves is the other marquee match, and Vitality playing in Paris gives them a pseudo-home advantage that could matter more than people expect.
What Happens After Groups
Once the group stage wraps on August 15, the 16 surviving teams move to the single-elimination playoff bracket at the Accor Arena. Every playoff match is Bo3 until the Grand Final, which is Bo5. The third-place match carries both prize money and VRS ranking points, so teams eliminated in the semifinals still have something real to play for. The event concludes on August 23.
If you plan to place wagers on any of these matches, please read our guide on responsible gaming first. You can also review our editorial principles to understand how we approach coverage, and check your rights as a player before signing up with any betting platform.
The group stage kicks off August 12 with 16 Bo1 matches spread across the full day, starting at 10:00 BST and running past 20:30 BST, so plan your viewing schedule accordingly.