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BLAST has officially revealed the 32 teams set to compete in BLAST Bounty Season 1 2026, marking the first Tier 1 Counter-Strike 2 tournament of the new competitive year. With online qualifiers, a high-stakes single-elimination format, and LAN finals in Malta on the line, the event is shaping up to be a fast, unforgiving start to the 2026 CS2 calendar.

A High-Profile Start to the 2026 CS2 Season

BLAST Bounty Season 1 2026 will begin with online qualifiers, before culminating in a LAN finals showdown at the BLAST Studios in Malta. Only eight teams will survive the opening phase, making every match matter from day one.

The tournament features a mix of established champions, rising contenders, and regional hopefuls, all aiming to make an early statement in the new season.

Invitations were issued based on December’s Valve Regional Standings, with FURIA topping the rankings after a strong finish to 2025. The Brazilian side headlines a stacked field that includes some of Counter-Strike’s most recognisable names.

Powerhouse Teams Lead a Stacked Field

Among the favourites are StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 winners Team Vitality, alongside Team Spirit, FaZe Clan, and Team Falcons. Each arrives in Malta with expectations firmly on their shoulders, especially after strong performances late last year.

North America will once again be represented by M80 and Passion UA, both of whom impressed across the three Swiss stages at the Budapest Major. Their inclusion adds extra intrigue to the opening rounds, particularly against Europe’s heavyweights.

Not every top team will be present, however. MOUZ, The MongolZ, G2 Esports, and TYLOO have all declined invitations, opting out of the first BLAST Bounty event of 2026.

How the BLAST Bounty Format Works

BLAST Bounty sets itself apart from other Tier 1 Counter-Strike tournaments through its ruthless format. All 32 teams start in online, best-of-three, single-elimination matches. One loss and a team’s run is over.

Once the field is reduced to eight, the remaining squads will travel to Malta to compete in another single-elimination bracket at the BLAST Studios, where the Season 1 champion will be crowned.

The structure leaves little room for error and promises a packed schedule of decisive matches from the very start.

Full List of BLAST Bounty Season 1 2026 Teams

The online qualifier stage runs from January 13 to January 18, with the overall action beginning on January 12, 2026. The full list of teams competing in the opening phase is as follows:

  • FURIA
  • Team Falcons
  • Team Vitality
  • Aurora Gaming
  • Team Spirit
  • Team Liquid
  • NAVI
  • Astralis
  • HEROIC
  • 3DMAX
  • paiN Gaming
  • FaZe Clan
  • Parivision
  • Gentle Mates
  • GamerLegion
  • FUT Esports
  • BetBoom
  • Fnatic
  • M80
  • Passion UA
  • HOTU
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas
  • NRG
  • Imperial Esports
  • EYEBALLERS
  • Inner Circle
  • OG Esports
  • 9INE
  • ENCE
  • Virtus.pro
  • Monte
  • SINNERS Esports

BLAST also confirmed the line-up via its official social channels, calling the event a “bang” of a way to kick off the 2026 Counter-Strike calendar.

With elite teams, a brutal format, and LAN finals on the horizon, BLAST Bounty Season 1 2026 looks set to deliver fireworks before the year has even properly begun.