{"id":35176,"date":"2026-03-17T17:02:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T17:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/?p=35176"},"modified":"2026-03-17T17:02:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T17:02:25","slug":"blast-open-rotterdam-2026-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/news\/cs-2\/blast-open-rotterdam-2026-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 Preview: Schedule, Teams, Format &amp; How to Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blast.tv\/cs\/tournaments\/open-2026-season-1\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/blast.tv\/cs\/tournaments\/open-2026-season-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026<\/a><\/strong> starts tomorrow, <strong>March 18<\/strong>, and runs until <strong>March 29<\/strong>. Sixteen teams will compete for a <strong>$1.1 million <\/strong>prize pool. One of the main stories is the return of <strong>Vitality,<\/strong> who missed <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ESL Pro League Season 23<\/a><\/strong> and now look like a real threat to any team hoping to win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll go over the tournament format, the teams taking part, and the schedule for the opening matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 Format &amp; Teams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">BLAST Tournament Format<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sixteen teams will be split into groups for the <strong>BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Group Stage (March 18 &#8211; March 23)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Two double-elimination format (GSL) Groups<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each group has eight teams<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All matches are Bo3<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The top three teams from each group advance to the Playoffs:<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Group stage winners advance to the Semifinals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Group stage runners-up advance to the Quarterfinals as the High Seeds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Group stage 3rd place teams advance to the Quarterfinals as the Low Seeds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Playoff Stage (March 27 &#8211; March 29)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Single-Elimination bracket<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Quarterfinals &amp; Semifinals are Bo3<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Grand Final is Bo5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Participating Teams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"957\" height=\"286\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/BABABA.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/BABABA.png 957w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/BABABA-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/BABABA-768x230.png 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/BABABA-150x45.png 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/BABABA-450x134.png 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 957px) 100vw, 957px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 &#8211; Teams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>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 <strong>Vitality back in<\/strong> action, the level of play should be especially high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>Vitality<\/td><td>FURIA<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>MOUZ<\/td><td>Falcons<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Natus Vincere<\/td><td>PARIVISION<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Spirit<\/td><td>Aurora<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>TheMongolZ<\/td><td>FaZe<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>B8<\/td><td>Liquid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ninjas in Pyjamas<\/td><td>NRG<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>9z<\/td><td>TYLOO<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 Teams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 Opening Matches Schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">March 18<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Falcons <\/strong>vs. <strong>NRG <\/strong>starting at <strong>11:00 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Natus Vincere <\/strong>vs. <strong>B8 <\/strong>starting at <strong>13:30 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>FaZe <\/strong>vs. <strong>Aurora <\/strong>starting at <strong>16:00 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>FURIA <\/strong>vs. <strong>TYLOO <\/strong>starting at <strong>18:30 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">March 19<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>PARIVISION <\/strong>vs. <strong>Ninjas in Pyjamas<\/strong> starting at<strong> 11:00 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Spirit <\/strong>vs. <strong>Liquid <\/strong>starting at <strong>13:30 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MOUZ <\/strong>vs. <strong>TheMongolZ <\/strong>starting at <strong>16:00 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vitality <\/strong>vs. <strong>9z <\/strong>starting at <strong>18:30 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Watch BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/twitch-2-1024x340.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35177\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/twitch-2-1024x340.png 1024w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/twitch-2-300x100.png 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/twitch-2-768x255.png 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/twitch-2-150x50.png 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/twitch-2-450x149.png 450w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/twitch-2.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Streaming Platform Twitch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 <\/strong>will be streamed live for viewers worldwide. You can enjoy every thrilling moment at home, at work, or on the go. The official platform<a href=\"http:\/\/blast.tv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <strong>BLAST.tv<\/strong><\/a> offers live coverage, detailed statistics, and interactive features to enhance the viewing experience. There also will be official <strong>Twitch <\/strong>and <strong>YouTube <\/strong>streams:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.twitch.tv\/BLASTPremier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BLAST Twitch Official Stream<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/BLASTPremier\/live\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BLAST YouTube Official Stream<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">All Eyes on BLAST Rotterdam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/vittro-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/vittro-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/vittro-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/vittro-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/vittro-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/vittro-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/vittro-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/vittro-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/vittro.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Team Vitality CS2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026<\/strong> is set to bring two weeks of top-level <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.counter-strike.net\/cs2?l=english\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.counter-strike.net\/cs2?l=english\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Counter-Strike 2<\/a><\/strong>, with great teams, exciting matches, and a big prize pool. With <strong>Vitality <\/strong>back and big matchups from the first day, fans can look forward to intense competition right away. Whether you\u2019re cheering for your favorite team or just want to watch some great esports, this tournament is shaping up to be one of the year\u2019s highlights.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":75,"featured_media":35179,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[5,247],"class_list":{"0":"post-35176","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cs-2","8":"tag-cs2","9":"tag-cs2-tournaments"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35176","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/75"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35176"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35176\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35181,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35176\/revisions\/35181"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35176"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35176"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}