PGL Masters Bucharest 2026 Closed Qualifier Teams Revealed
The PGL Masters Bucharest 2026 closed qualifier teams have been revealed, with Liquid, NRG, Ninjas in Pyjamas, B8, TYLOO and FlyQuest among the sides receiving direct places in the regional qualification stage. PGL announced the invited fields on 3 September 2026, while additional teams will qualify through the open stages running from 3 to 6 September.
🔒 The Closed Qualifier teams for PGL Masters Bucharest 2026 are locked in. Check out the full lineup below.
— PGL (@pglesports) September 3, 2026
📝 Still want your shot for Bucharest? Open Qualifiers registration is live now: https://t.co/mj4DNd9Z3i#PGLMasters pic.twitter.com/Ri4oMr9yTi
The closed qualifier process will determine the final four teams for PGL Masters Bucharest 2026. Europe, North America, South America and APAC will each award one main event berth, joining 12 teams already confirmed for the $1.25 million tournament in Romania from 24 to 31 October.
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026 Closed Qualifier Teams
Europe, South America and North America each begin with four directly invited teams and four places reserved for open qualifier squads. The Asia-Pacific route is split between Oceania, East Asia and West Asia before progressing to a final APAC closed qualifier.
| Region | Invited Teams | Open Qualifier Places |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | B8, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Nuclear TigeRES, Inner Circle | 4 |
| South America | ShindeN, paiN, DENDELE, Galorys | 4 |
| North America | Liquid, NRG, Voca, Chicken Coop | 4 |
| Oceania | FlyQuest, LFO 8 | 2 |
| East Asia | TYLOO, 5star | 2 |
| West Asia | DEPO, Legion | 2 |
That leaves half of the eight-team European, South American and North American fields unresolved until their respective open qualifiers finish. The Asia-Pacific route uses smaller regional stages instead, with the Oceania and Asian qualifiers feeding towards the final APAC decision on 13 September.
Open Qualifiers Fill the Remaining Regional Spots
The open qualifiers are scheduled from 3 to 6 September. Europe, South America and North America will each send four teams into their closed qualifiers, while two open qualifier places are available alongside the invited teams in Oceania, East Asia and West Asia.
Europe therefore has B8, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Nuclear TigeRES and Inner Circle waiting for four open qualifier teams. South America’s invited group is ShindeN, paiN, DENDELE and Galorys, while Liquid, NRG, Voca and Chicken Coop hold the four direct North American places.
Oceania currently has FlyQuest and LFO 8 alongside two open spots. TYLOO and 5star occupy the East Asia invites, while DEPO and Legion hold the corresponding West Asia places, with two open qualifier teams still to be added to each field.
Four Qualifier Winners Will Complete the Main Event Field
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026 is planned as a 16-team event, with 12 organisations already holding direct invitations. The remaining four places are reserved for the winners of the European, North American, South American and APAC closed qualifiers.
Directly Invited Main Event Teams
- Spirit
- FURIA
- Vitality
- MOUZ
- FUT
- Legacy
- Natus Vincere
- G2
- Aurora
- 9z
- The MongolZ
- BETBOOM
Falcons were the notable exception when the main event invitations were announced, with the other leading invited teams accepting places in Bucharest. That leaves qualification as the only remaining route into the tournament for teams outside the 12-team direct invite list.
PGL Masters Bucharest Qualifier Schedule
The qualification calendar moves quickly from the open stage into the regional closed brackets. Europe and the Americas have four days scheduled for their closed qualifiers, while the Asia-Pacific route is divided between regional qualifiers and the final APAC stage.
| Stage | Dates | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Open Qualifiers | 3 to 6 September | Complete the regional closed qualifier fields |
| Europe Closed Qualifier | 9 to 12 September | One team qualifies for Bucharest |
| North America Closed Qualifier | 9 to 12 September | One team qualifies for Bucharest |
| South America Closed Qualifier | 9 to 12 September | One team qualifies for Bucharest |
| Oceania, East Asia and West Asia Closed Qualifiers | 9 to 10 September | Feed into the APAC qualification process |
| APAC Closed Qualifier | 13 September | One team qualifies for Bucharest |
| PGL Masters Bucharest 2026 | 24 to 31 October | 16 teams compete for $1.25 million |
The last qualification spot will be decided through the APAC closed qualifier on 13 September, completing the four regional berths and setting the full 16-team field for PGL Masters Bucharest 2026.
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