BLAST Rivals returns as an S-tier tournament that kicks off tomorrow and will be held from November 12 to November 16, featuring eight elite teams and a prize pool of $350,000. Just days after clashing in the IEM Chengdu 2025 Grand Final, Vitality and FURIA are back in action – and another showdown between the two is on the horizon.
Here’s everything you need to know about the format, the teams, opening matches, and who to watch as favorites and underdogs.
Contents
- 1 BLAST Rivals Tournament Format
- 2 Group Stage
- 3 Playoff Stage
- 4 BLAST Rivals Teams, Favorites & Underdogs
- 5 Top Contenders: FURIA & Vitality
- 6 Dark Horses: TheMongolZ, Spirit & Falcons
- 7 Underdogs: Passion UA, paiN & TYLOO
- 8 BLAST Rivals Opening Matches Schedule
- 9 November 12, Wednesday:
- 10 How to Watch BLAST Rivals
- 11 What to Expect at BLAST Rivals 2025
BLAST Rivals Tournament Format
Group Stage
- Two double-elimination format (GSL) Groups
- Each group has 4 teams
- All matches are Bo3
- Top three teams from each group advance to the Playoffs
- Group stage winners advance to the Semifinals
- Group stage runners-up advance to the Quarterfinals as the High Seeds
- Group stage 3rd place teams advance to the Quarterfinals as the Low Seeds
Playoff Stage
- Single-Elimination bracket
- The Quarterfinals & Semifinals are Bo3
- The Grand Final is Bo5
BLAST Rivals Teams, Favorites & Underdogs
| FURIA | Vitality |
| Spirit | Falcons |
| TheMongolZ | paiN |
| Passion UA | TYLOO |
Top Contenders: FURIA & Vitality
Just days ago, FURIA swept Vitality 3–0 in the IEM Chengdu 2025 Grand Final – a dominant victory that cemented their place as the hottest team in the world right now. Vitality entered Chengdu as the favorites, but FURIA’s performance left no doubt who’s on top heading into BLAST Rivals.
The only concern for FURIA might be fatigue, considering the limited rest between tournaments. Vitality, meanwhile, will be hungry for revenge and to reclaim confidence, which will be crucial ahead of the much bigger upcoming StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, starting on November 24
Dark Horses: TheMongolZ, Spirit & Falcons
TheMongolZ, Spirit, and Falcons all have the potential to upset the favorites, though recent results have placed them a step behind.
TheMongolZ impressed early at IEM Chengdu but struggled once the pressure rose on stage. Their recent roster change – benching Senzu for controlez – remains a bold move that could define their tournament.
Team Spirit, since adding zweih and tN1R have yet to rediscover their peak form. However, with donk – arguably the best rifler in the world – anything is possible. If he finds top gear, Spirit can beat anyone.
Falcons boast another superstar in m0NESY, whose individual brilliance continues to keep them competitive. But for the team to make deep runs, they’ll need more collective consistency rather than relying on one player to carry them through the playoffs.
Underdogs: Passion UA, paiN & TYLOO
The remaining three teams – Passion UA, paiN, and TYLOO – enter BLAST Rivals as clear underdogs. They lack the experience compared to other teams, but upsets are always part of Counter-Strike. A surprise win over one of the elite teams could shake up the entire event, and who knows what they’re able to do if the momentum goes well for them.
BLAST Rivals Opening Matches Schedule
November 12, Wednesday:
- TheMongolZ vs. Passion UA starting at 04:00 CET
- Spirit vs. Falcons starting at 06:30 CET
- FURIA vs. paiN starting at 09:30 CET
- Vitality vs. TYLOO starting at 11:30 CET
How to Watch BLAST Rivals
The BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2 will be shown live for people worldwide to enjoy. You can watch all the action from your home, office, or even on the go. The official website, BLAST.tv, provides live updates, detailed statistics, and engaging features to enhance your viewing experience.
There will also be official Twitch and YouTube streams:
What to Expect at BLAST Rivals 2025
The countdown for BLAST Rivals 2025 starts now, and the stakes are high. FURIA’s dominance, Vitality’s thirst for revenge, and the possible rise of hungry dark horses set the stage for an exciting tournament. Expect upsets, highlights, and unforgettable moments – because when the best teams collide, anything can happen.
