The BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 starts tomorrow, March 18, and runs until March 29. Sixteen teams will compete for a $1.1 million prize pool. One of the main stories is the return of Vitality, who missed ESL Pro League Season 23 and now look like a real threat to any team hoping to win.
In this article, we’ll go over the tournament format, the teams taking part, and the schedule for the opening matches.
Contents
- 1 BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 Format & Teams
- 2 BLAST Tournament Format
- 3 Group Stage (March 18 – March 23)
- 4 Playoff Stage (March 27 – March 29)
- 5 Participating Teams
- 6 BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 Opening Matches Schedule
- 7 March 18
- 8 March 19
- 9 How to Watch BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026
- 10 All Eyes on BLAST Rotterdam
BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 Format & Teams
BLAST Tournament Format
Sixteen teams will be split into groups for the BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026, with the top teams moving on to the playoffs to fight for the championship. The format is set up to create exciting matches and lots of chances for surprises.
Group Stage (March 18 – March 23)
- Two double-elimination format (GSL) Groups
- Each group has eight teams
- All matches are Bo3
- The 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 (March 27 – March 29)
- Single-Elimination bracket
- The Quarterfinals & Semifinals are Bo3
- The Grand Final is Bo5
Participating Teams
The tournament features a mix of top teams and up-and-coming squads from around the world, making for a very competitive event. With teams like Vitality back in action, the level of play should be especially high.
| Vitality | FURIA |
| MOUZ | Falcons |
| Natus Vincere | PARIVISION |
| Spirit | Aurora |
| TheMongolZ | FaZe |
| B8 | Liquid |
| Ninjas in Pyjamas | NRG |
| 9z | TYLOO |
BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 Opening Matches Schedule
March 18
- Falcons vs. NRG starting at 11:00 CET
- Natus Vincere vs. B8 starting at 13:30 CET
- FaZe vs. Aurora starting at 16:00 CET
- FURIA vs. TYLOO starting at 18:30 CET
March 19
- PARIVISION vs. Ninjas in Pyjamas starting at 11:00 CET
- Spirit vs. Liquid starting at 13:30 CET
- MOUZ vs. TheMongolZ starting at 16:00 CET
- Vitality vs. 9z starting at 18:30 CET
How to Watch BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026
The BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 will be streamed live for viewers worldwide. You can enjoy every thrilling moment at home, at work, or on the go. The official platform BLAST.tv offers live coverage, detailed statistics, and interactive features to enhance the viewing experience. There also will be official Twitch and YouTube streams:
All Eyes on BLAST Rotterdam
BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 is set to bring two weeks of top-level Counter-Strike 2, with great teams, exciting matches, and a big prize pool. With Vitality back and big matchups from the first day, fans can look forward to intense competition right away. Whether you’re cheering for your favorite team or just want to watch some great esports, this tournament is shaping up to be one of the year’s highlights.
