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The stage is set for one of Counter-Strike’s biggest tournaments of the year. The Thunderpick World Championship 2025 is bringing the heat this October in Malta, with a massive $850,000 prize pool on the line. And now, we know the first four names heading straight to the main event: NAVI, The MongolZ, FURIA, and Aurora.

Who’s In and Who’s Still Fighting

Running from October 15–19, the Thunderpick World Championship 2025 will feature eight teams total. Four squads have already secured their invites, while the other four spots will be decided through the closed qualifier happening September 9–11.

That qualifier isn’t short on talent. Sixteen teams will scrap it out online for just four golden tickets to Malta. Fans can look forward to big names like Ninjas in Pyjamas, ENCE, BIG, OG, and SAW all trying to punch their way through. Regional heroes Legacy, M80, Imperial, and 9z have also earned their way into the mix, adding extra spice to the fight.

A Familiar Favourite Returns

The MongolZ aren’t just another invited team, they’re the reigning champions. After taking home the trophy at last year’s edition, they’ll be looking to defend their crown against some of the best squads in the world. Standing in their way are NAVI, the perennial heavyweights from Europe, Brazil’s FURIA with their aggressive flair, and Aurora, a rising force from Turkey.

With four more teams yet to qualify, the competition is already shaping up to be fierce. Every squad heading to Malta knows what’s at stake: not just the lion’s share of the prize pool, but also bragging rights as one of the world’s best.

What’s Next?

The closed qualifier kicks off online from September 9–11, and by the time it wraps up, we’ll have the full lineup for Malta. From there, it’s just a short wait until the Thunderpick World Championship 2025 officially begins.

One thing’s certain, whether you’re backing the veterans or cheering for an underdog run, October in Malta is going to deliver some unforgettable Counter-Strike.