The Esports Radar has lifted the lid on the shortlists for the inaugural Esports Leaders Honours, with EA, BLAST, Team Vitality, G2, Heroic, EFG, Logitech G and The MongolZ among the names in the running across six categories. Winners will be announced live at Cologne City Hall on Friday 19 June 2026, with Lord Mayor Torsten Burmester in attendance as part of Global Esports Industry Week.

The new awards programme is positioned as a year-in-review platform for the people, organisations and projects that defined esports over the past 12 months. It sits alongside IEM Cologne, the long-running Counter-Strike tournament that anchors GEIW each summer.

What The Esports Leaders Honours Actually Is

Esports Leaders Honours is a brand new awards platform created by The Esports Radar, the editorial arm of The Insights Group. The idea is to run a curated, annual list rather than a fan-vote popularity contest, with shortlists chosen by The Esports Radar team following an open public call for submissions.

Six standing categories make up the main awards: Esports Leader, Rising Star in Esports, Standout Esports Advertising Campaigns, Best Product Innovation in Esports, Access and Grassroots Champions in Esports, and Industry Development of the Year. A seventh category, Local Hero, rotates based on the host city and does not carry a public shortlist. For the Cologne edition, German federation E-Sport-Bund Deutschland (ESBD) has been brought in to pick the local winner.

The ceremony itself is an invitation-only evening event running from 18:30 to 21:30 CET at Kölner Rathaus, with the awards handed out on the main stage between 19:00 and 20:30.

The Esports Leader Shortlist

The headline category puts eight senior figures in contention, spanning publishers, tournament organisers, federations and team ownership. The lineup leans heavily on people who have spent years building infrastructure around the competitive scene rather than newer arrivals.

• Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder, NODWIN Gaming
• Anna Rozwandowicz, Founder and CEO, The Story Mob
• Fabien ‘neo’ Devide, Co-owner and CEO, Team Vitality
• HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman, Saudi Esports Federation
• Monica Dinsmore, Head of Esports, Electronic Arts
• Niccolo Maisto, CEO, ESL FACEIT Group
• Ralf Reichert, CEO, Esports Foundation
• Robbie Douek, CEO, BLAST

Rising Star In Esports

The Rising Star list mixes team founders with operators working further down the pipeline in education, partnerships and media. Notably, Bilguunbat Enkhbayar’s inclusion comes off the back of a breakout year for The MongolZ on the Counter-Strike circuit.

• Bilguunbat Enkhbayar, Co-Founder and CEO, The MongolZ
• Emanuele Acerbis, CEO and Co-Founder, NOVO Esports
• Heloisa Passos, Founder, trexx
• Kalam Neale, Head of Education, British Esports
• Liam Whitehead, Head of Partnerships, Method
• Meg Cabaras, Senior Account Executive, Esports and Gaming, Octagon
• Sheridan McGuire, Founder, College Esports News

Standout Esports Advertising Campaigns

This category looks at brand work that landed with esports audiences over the past year. Team Vitality is the only org with two campaigns on the list, picking up nods for both its Nescafé Latte activation and its more controversial Stake partnership.

• DHL x EFG x Chew Productions, The Dispatch
• G2 x Solo Leveling, in partnership with Crunchyroll
• HEROIC x Razed
• Jameel Motorsport x Esports World Cup 2025
• Team Liquid x Magnus Carlsen
• Team Vitality x Nescafé Latte
• Team Vitality x Stake

Best Product Innovation In Esports

Hardware, analytics platforms and venue infrastructure all sit in the same category here, which gives a decent snapshot of where money is actually being spent in the back end of the industry.

DPM LOL

The League of Legends stats platform co-founded with content creator Caedrel makes the cut on the back of its new Esports Hub, pitched as a single destination for LoL competitive data.

EVA

Esports Virtual Arenas is recognised for the expansion of its physical venues, a fresh fundraising round, and the launch of its Challenger and Pro Leagues. The Pro League roster includes G2, Team Vitality, GIANTX and SK Gaming.

Logitech G

The peripherals giant is shortlisted for the Pro X2 Superstrike mouse and its broader spend on sports science work tied to pro performance.

Runestone

Also the Title Partner of GEIW 2026 itself, Runestone makes the list for partnerships signed with PGL, StarLadder and NODWIN since its launch.

Shikenso

The sponsorship analytics company is included for its continued work on Campaign, its real-time media value measurement product covering multiple content formats.

UNEVN

UNEVN’s nomination centres on its BASE PC Solution, designed to make it easier for smaller operators to stand up gaming and esports infrastructure.

ZOWIE By BenQ

BenQ’s gaming arm is recognised for ongoing investment in the ZOWIE Sports Science Labs and equipment development work with pro players.

Access And Grassroots Champions In Esports

The grassroots category leans toward founders and community builders rather than corporate operators, with a mix of regional initiatives represented from Norway, Africa, the UK and beyond.

• Stefy Bau, CEO, Init Esports
• Mags Byrne, Founder, EStars
• Ole Martin Gjestad, Founder, KRED Norge
• Désiré Koussawo, President, SAGES Africa
• David Kosir, Founder, Friendly Fire
• Elliot Mack, Co-Founder and CEO, DAIGON Esports
• Jon Winkle, Founder, EPIC.LAN

Industry Development Of The Year

This is arguably the most loaded shortlist, with several entries representing nine and ten-figure deals that have reshaped ownership across the sector. The PIF, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners bid for Electronic Arts sits at a reported valuation of around 55 billion US dollars, while Savvy Games Group’s acquisition of Moonton, the studio behind Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, was valued at roughly 6 billion US dollars.

• BLAST and GamingMalta’s multi-year partnership, including a permanent studio of over 1,000 square metres
• The launch of the Esports Nations Cup
• India’s new rules formally recognising esports as sport under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
• Savvy Games Group’s acquisition of Moonton at around 6 billion US dollars
• Qiddiya-owned RTS fully acquiring Evo
• Riot Games opening up to betting sponsors in EMEA and the Americas
• PIF, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners’ move to acquire EA for 55 billion US dollars

How Winners Are Being Picked

According to the organisers, the shortlists were drawn up by a panel from The Esports Radar after a public submissions window, rather than through an open vote. Winners across all categories will only be revealed on the night in Cologne.

Sam Cooke, CEO of The Insights Group, framed the cut as deliberately tight. “As ever with this kind of exercise and selecting those who deserve recognition across these areas this was extremely difficult, but we’re really pleased with those we’ve chosen,” he said, adding that the platform is intended to scale into something more globally representative after this first edition.

GEIW 2026 And The Wider Cologne Week

The Honours ceremony is one piece of Global Esports Industry Week, which runs in parallel with IEM Cologne at the Lanxess Arena. ESL FACEIT Group is the Host Partner for the week, with Runestone signed on as Title Partner and ZOWIE and Abios as Supporting Partners. Strategic partners include ESBD, the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s Arbitration and Mediation Centre, and the International Games and Esports Tribunal.

For viewers outside the room, the ceremony is invitation-only, but updates from the night will run through The Esports Radar’s LinkedIn and X channels.

What Happens After June 19

Cooke has already signalled that the platform will be reworked after the Cologne edition, with a stated ambition to make future editions more representative of esports globally. That suggests both the category structure and the geographic spread of nominees could shift before the next run, which is worth watching given how Europe-heavy this first shortlist skews outside of NODWIN, The MongolZ and the Saudi Esports Federation entries.

The post Esports Leaders Honours 2026 Shortlists Featuring Vitality, G2, HEROIC, Team Liquid And The MongolZ Among Nominees appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

BC.Game have confirmed the loan signing of Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold from The MongolZ, bringing the Mongolian rifler in as the fourth member of the team’s active Counter-Strike 2 roster. Assistant coach Robin “ScrunK” Röpke will step in as the in-game leader for the team’s next two events while the organisation continues its search for a permanent captain.

Welcome @Senzucs to BC Game Esports 🤩@bcgame pic.twitter.com/evENqDHOgd

— BC Game Esports (@BCGameEsports) April 27, 2026

The move was announced on Sunday by BC.Game Esports, The MongolZ, and Senzu himself across their respective social channels. It marks the latest step in BC.Game’s roster overhaul following the recent departures of Christopher “MUTiRiS” Fernandes and António “aragornN” Barbosa.

Senzu Joins BC.Game On Loan From The MongolZ

Senzu arrives at BC.Game on a loan deal that runs through the team’s upcoming tournament cycle. The 21-year-old had been playing on loan at Passion UA since February 2026, where he posted a team-high 1.21 rating but was unable to lift the Ukrainian side’s results. His final outing for Passion UA came at FRAG 20, where the squad finished third.

Senzu was ranked 13th on HLTV’s Top 20 Players of 2025 list, and is widely regarded as one of the strongest individual riflers to come out of the Asian region. His addition gives BC.Game a fourth core player to slot alongside Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, Denis “electroNic” Sharipov, and Adones “krazy” Nobre.

ScrunK Steps In As IGL For IEM Atlanta And CS Asia Championship

With the in-game leader spot still vacant, BC.Game have turned to assistant coach ScrunK to call the shots in the short term. The German veteran will stand in as IGL for IEM Atlanta, which begins on 11 May, and the CS Asia Championship that follows shortly after in China.

BC.Game stated that the stand-in arrangement is strictly temporary. The organisation plans to sign a permanent IGL once the next Counter-Strike Major concludes, meaning ScrunK’s playing role is unlikely to extend beyond the team’s current commitments.

Read More: karrigan Joins Falcons From FaZe As kyxsan Benched Ahead Of IEM Cologne Major

Read More: nocries Joins BC.Game as Stand-In for IEM Atlanta 2026 Alongside s1mple

The Reasoning Behind BC.Game’s Restructure

The Senzu loan caps off a turbulent stretch for BC.Game. The organisation parted ways with MUTiRiS and aragornN earlier in the month after a sustained run of underwhelming results, including a group-stage exit at PGL Bucharest and a failed run at qualifying for the Cologne Major.

Bringing in Senzu signals that BC.Game are leaning into raw firepower while they sort out their leadership question. Pairing his rifling with the experience of s1mple and electroNic gives the team a high individual ceiling, but the roster’s success will hinge on how quickly ScrunK can stabilise the in-game calling.

BC.Game’s Updated Roster For Upcoming Events

Below is the BC.Game lineup that will compete at IEM Atlanta and CS Asia Championship.

What Comes Next For BC.Game

BC.Game’s next test arrives at IEM Atlanta on 11 May, where the new-look five will get its first competitive run together. The CS Asia Championship in China follows soon after, giving Senzu a return to home turf in front of regional fans.

The bigger question is what happens after the Major. BC.Game have made it clear that the IGL search is the priority once the dust settles, and the answer to that search will likely determine whether Senzu’s loan converts into something more permanent or whether he returns to The MongolZ at the end of the agreement.

The post BC.Game Loan Signs Senzu From The MongolZ As Fourth Player, ScrunK To Stand In As IGL appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 playoff bracket has officially been confirmed, with the group stage now wrapped up and six teams heading to the Ahoy Arena in the Netherlands for the final stage of the tournament.

With heavy hitters already waiting in the semi-finals and some high-stakes rematches lined up in the quarters, the road to the trophy is shaping up to be a serious test for every team still in contention.

Playoff Bracket Confirmed After Group Stage

Following the conclusion of the group stage in Copenhagen, the remaining teams have locked in their positions for the Rotterdam playoffs.

According to BLAST Premier’s official announcement, the bracket is now set, confirming both the quarter-final matchups and the semi-final structure. Six teams will compete on stage in front of a live crowd at the Ahoy Arena, marking the shift from studio play to arena competition.

The MongolZ secured the final playoff spot in dramatic fashion, with Ayush “mzinho” Batbold delivering a standout performance to push his team past Spirit. That result not only kept their tournament run alive but also finalised the bracket heading into Rotterdam.

Quarter-Finals Feature A High-Stakes Rematch

The opening round of the playoffs will feature two best-of-three clashes, both with strong storylines behind them.

Aurora will take on The MongolZ in what will be the first match on stage. The Mongolian squad comes in with momentum after their elimination win over Spirit, while Aurora will be looking to shut that run down early.

The second quarter-final is arguably the headline matchup. Falcons are set to face PARIVISION in a rematch of their PGL Cluj-Napoca quarter-final, where PARIVISION previously edged out a 2–1 victory. This time around, Falcons are chasing redemption, while PARIVISION will aim to prove that result was no fluke.

Semi-Finals Already Waiting With Top Seeds

Two of the tournament favourites have already secured their places in the semi-finals thanks to topping their respective groups.

Team Vitality will face the winner of Aurora vs The MongolZ, giving them time to prepare while scouting both potential opponents. Meanwhile, Natus Vincere are set to meet the winner of Falcons vs PARIVISION, setting up a potential clash with either a revenge-driven Falcons roster or a confident PARIVISION side.

This structure puts immediate pressure on the quarter-final winners, who will have to quickly adapt before facing well-rested top seeds.

Full BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 Playoff Schedule

The full schedule for the playoffs spans three days, with quarter-finals on Friday, semi-finals on Saturday, and the grand final closing out the event on Sunday.

Playoff Match Schedule

Momentum And Pressure Collide In Rotterdam

With the BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 playoff bracket now locked, the stage is set for a mix of momentum-driven underdogs and rested top seeds to collide.

Teams like The MongolZ arrive with confidence after fighting through elimination matches, while squads such as Vitality and Natus Vincere will be looking to capitalise on their direct semi-final entries.

The added layer of rematches, especially between Falcons and PARIVISION, gives this playoff run an extra edge, with past results likely to influence how these teams approach their next encounter.

As the tournament shifts to a live arena environment, performance under pressure becomes just as important as strategy, and that’s often where champions separate themselves from the rest.

The post BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 Playoff Bracket Set, Key Matches Locked In appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 playoff bracket is officially locked in, with eight teams advancing to the knockout stage after the conclusion of the group phase. The action now shifts to the BT Arena, where the quarterfinals begin on February 20 and the race for the trophy enters its most intense stretch.

All quarterfinals will be played in a best of three format, setting up three straight days of high-stakes Counter-Strike before the champion is crowned in a best of five grand final on Sunday.

Quarterfinal Matchups Confirmed At BT Arena

The opening playoff clash sees Falcons take on PARIVISION. The two recently faced each other at the BLAST Bounty S1 Finals, where Dzhami “Jame” Ali’s side came out on top in a best of five series against a Falcons lineup missing Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin. That result adds a bit of extra spice heading into their latest meeting in Cluj.

Next up is MOUZ versus Natus Vincere, a matchup many fans have circled as the headline series of the quarterfinal stage. NAVI will have strong local support behind Mihai “iM” Ivan, who is finally set to compete in front of his home crowd after the organisation declined their invitation to last year’s edition of the tournament.

Vitality then meet Aurora in what shapes up as a rematch of their dramatic IEM Krakow encounter. That series famously took place on Ancient and required four overtimes to decide, underlining just how evenly matched these two squads can be.

The final quarterfinal sees FURIA face The MongolZ. This pairing has become surprisingly frequent over the past year, with the teams meeting eight times in the last 12 months. Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo and his Brazilian side currently hold a 5–3 edge in that head to head record.

Full Quarterfinal Schedule And Format

All quarterfinal matches will take place on Friday, February 20, with match times listed in Eastern European Time.

• 10:00 — Falcons vs PARIVISION
• 13:00 — MOUZ vs Natus Vincere
• 16:00 — Vitality vs Aurora
• 19:00 — FURIA vs The MongolZ

Each series will be played as a best of three.

⏭️ We’re going to BTarena on Friday for PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 Playoffs 🇷🇴

with…

🔥 @FalconsEsport | @parivisiongg | @mousesports
| @natusvincere | @TeamVitalityCS | @AuroraCS2_GG | @FURIA | @1mongolz 🔥

🎟️ Get your tickets: https://t.co/IZmRMTK3Pt#PGLClujNapoca pic.twitter.com/GFNyVtKTCv

— PGL (@pglesports) February 18, 2026

The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, February 21, at 17:00 and 20:00 respectively, also in a best of three format. The bracket is structured so that the winner of Falcons vs PARIVISION will face the winner of MOUZ vs NAVI, while the Vitality vs Aurora winner meets either FURIA or The MongolZ.

Grand Final And Third Place Match Details

Sunday, February 22 will feature both the third place match and the grand final. The third place decider is set for 14:00, followed by the championship series at 18:00.

The grand final will be played as a best of five, giving the two remaining teams a full stage to prove themselves over an extended series. With several title contenders still in the bracket, including Major level rosters and recent big event finalists, the final weekend in Cluj is shaping up to feel more like a tier one LAN playoff than a routine stop on the calendar.

With previous rivalries being renewed and several storylines already brewing from earlier meetings this season, PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 now moves into the phase where one bad map can end a campaign. For fans heading to the BT Arena or tuning in from home, the next three days should deliver some of the most competitive Counter-Strike of the year so far.

The post PGL Cluj Napoca 2026 Playoff Bracket Set As Quarterfinal Matchups Confirmed appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The transfer of Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold to Passion UA has taken an unexpected turn, after the organisation’s CEO claimed they outbid Natus Vincere for the Mongolian star, only for NAVI to publicly deny making any offer at all.

In an interview, Passion UA CEO Artemijs Rjabovs said the club agreed to pay slightly more than what NAVI were allegedly willing to spend. Hours later, NAVI’s sporting director Amiran “aMi” Rekhviashvili took to X to call the claim “a lie”, insisting the organisation “didn’t offer anything”

Here’s what we know so far.

Rjabovs Says Passion UA Won A Bidding War

Speaking in an interview with Konstantin “leniniw” Sivko, Rjabovs described difficult negotiations with The MongolZ, noting that this was likely the first time the Mongolian organisation had sold a player.

According to Rjabovs, there were rumours about NAVI’s interest and how much they were willing to pay. Passion UA, he claimed, agreed with The MongolZ on a “slightly higher sum” than what NAVI were offering.

He also confirmed that the deal includes an option to make Senzu’s move permanent after IEM Cologne, if all parties are satisfied. Senzu initially joined Passion UA on loan, with the agreement running through the end of the current season.

That version of events paints the picture of a competitive transfer race, with Passion UA stepping up financially to secure one of the most promising riflers in the scene.

NAVI Respond: “We Didn’t Offer Anything”

Shortly after those comments gained traction, NAVI’s sporting director Amiran “aMi” Rekhviashvili publicly refuted the claim on X.

That’s a lie, we didn’t offer anything. Delusional CEO 🤡
Let’s reject NAVI and join PassionUA 😂 https://t.co/qUD2BefMhN

— ami 💛💙 (@NAVIami_R) February 15, 2026

“That’s a lie, we didn’t offer anything,” he wrote, adding a pointed remark suggesting the idea that Senzu “rejected NAVI and joined Passion UA” was delusional.

This directly contradicts Rjabovs’ suggestion that Passion UA had outbid NAVI. At this stage, there’s no public evidence of a formal offer from NAVI, and the organisation’s stance is clear, they say no offer was made.

Earlier context from NAVI coach Andrey “B1ad3” Gorodenskiy adds another layer. He previously confirmed that NAVI spoke to potential targets towards the end of 2025, but stressed it was part of a long-term strategy and “doesn’t mean we will take them.” That leaves open the possibility of exploratory talks, without any official bid being submitted.

What The Senzu Deal Actually Includes

Putting the back-and-forth aside, the confirmed details of the transfer are significant on their own.

Senzu joined Passion UA on 13 February on a loan deal that includes a buyout option. The loan runs until the end of the season, and Rjabovs says the organisation can make it permanent after IEM Cologne if everyone is happy with how things progress.

His debut is set to come at ESL Pro League Season 23, which runs its online stage from 27 February to 9 March. That event will determine which eight teams advance to the LAN finals out of 24 competing squads.

He will miss Roman Imperium Cup V due to the registration deadline, meaning fans will have to wait a little longer to see the new lineup in action.

The team has not officially confirmed which rifler will step aside for Senzu. Reports indicate Michael “Grim” Wince is set to move to NRG, which would allow Nick “nicx” Lee to remain as the team’s anchor.

A Statement Of Ambition From Passion UA

Beyond the transfer drama, this move signals how serious Passion UA are about climbing the rankings.

The organisation, backed by Arsenal footballer Oleksandr Zinchenko, has already shown ambition by acquiring the former Complexity core late in 2025. That roster change pushed them into bigger events, but the addition of Senzu and Argentine AWPer Santino “try” Rigal marks another step up.

Rjabovs framed it in almost emotional terms, pointing out that just two years ago the team were competing in smaller events like United21. Now they are signing a player ranked No. 13 on HLTV and targeting title contention rather than just top 20 placements.

He also revealed that Zinchenko personally called try multiple times to convince him to join, despite interest from three top-ten teams. The CEO highlighted try’s Major performances as a key reason for prioritising the signing, saying the team lacked the consistency a top sniper must bring.

Senzu, for his part, is set to take English lessons to integrate more smoothly into the squad, following the example of Vladyslav “Kvem” Korol, who improved significantly after joining the team.

Where This Leaves The NAVI Angle

Right now, the situation boils down to two conflicting public statements.

Passion UA’s CEO says they agreed to pay more than NAVI were willing to offer. NAVI’s sporting director says no offer was made at all. Without documentation from either side, it remains a matter of word against word.

What is certain is that Senzu is now part of Passion UA’s project, at least for the remainder of the season, and his performance at ESL Pro League Season 23 will likely define how this story is remembered.

If he helps elevate the squad into genuine title contention, the debate over who bid what may quickly fade into the background.

The post Passion UA CEO Claims They Outbid NAVI For Senzu As NAVI Deny Making Offer appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

A New Chapter For Mongolia’s Top CS2 Team

The MongolZ have officially completed their roster rebuild, announcing the signing of Anarbileg “cobrazera” Uuganbayar as a full-time starter. The move confirms the end of Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold’s run in the active lineup, following his surprise benching back in October.

The Roster is Locked. pic.twitter.com/2jn3Q9Fvsp

— The MongolZ (@1mongolz) December 31, 2025

At just 20 years old, cobrazera steps into one of the most scrutinised roles in Asian Counter-Strike, replacing a player who had become the face of the organisation’s historic rise during 2025.

Why cobrazera Was The Long-Term Choice

cobrazera arrives from The Huns after an impressive year on paper. Across 207 maps in 2025, he posted a strong 1.16 average rating, the second-highest on his former team. That consistency marked him as one of the region’s most promising young talents, even if most of his experience came in Asian events.

An earlier move to The MongolZ was impossible. Both teams qualified for the StarLadder Budapest Major, which prevented any player transfers between Major-qualified squads. With that restriction now lifted, The MongolZ wasted no time locking him in.

The controlez Stand-In Era Explained

During the transfer lock, The MongolZ turned to veteran Unudelger “controlez” Baasanjargal from Chinggis Warriors as a temporary solution. Over appearances at IEM Chengdu, BLAST Rivals Season 2, and the Budapest Major, controlez delivered a respectable 1.05 rating.

More importantly, he helped guide the team to unexpected quarter-final finishes at both IEM Chengdu and the Budapest Major. Still, his impact could not fully replicate what Senzu had provided during the team’s peak months.

Life After Senzu Is A Bold Gamble

There is no escaping how significant Senzu’s departure feels. The 19-year-old was widely viewed as The MongolZ’s star performer throughout most of 2025, overcoming early arena struggles to play a key role in their run to the BLAST.tv Austin Major final.

His benching shocked fans and analysts alike, especially given the team’s unprecedented success. The MongolZ won their first Big Event title at the Esports World Cup, reached number one in both VRS and HLTV team rankings, and briefly stood at the top of global Counter-Strike.

Betting On Youth Once Again

cobrazera’s signing signals a familiar philosophy. Rather than leaning on experience, The MongolZ are once again backing young talent with long-term upside. While his international LAN numbers sit lower, with a 1.02 rating across five appearances, his potential has already been recognised.

He featured in HLTV’s first prospect report and climbed to 21st in the November update, reinforcing his reputation as a player to watch in 2026.

Looking Ahead To IEM Kraków

The MongolZ have declined an invite to the first BLAST Bounty event of 2026, opting instead for extra practice time with their new lineup. All signs point to cobrazera making his debut at IEM Kraków, where expectations will be high from day one.

With momentum still on their side after a record-breaking year, the next few months will determine whether this not Senzu era can keep The MongolZ among the world’s elite.

Current The MongolZ Roster

Garidmagnai “bLitz” Byambasuren
Sodbayar “Techno” Munkhbold
Ayush “mzinho” Batbold
Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch
Anarbileg “cobrazera” Uuganbayar

Coach: Erdenedalai “maaRaa” Bayanbat
Inactive: Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold

The post The MongolZ Confirm cobrazera Signing After Senzu Benching appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The MongolZ have officially parted ways with Unudelger “controlez” Baasanjargal, bringing an end to his short but impactful spell as the team’s stand-in. The announcement was shared on the organisation’s social media channels, thanking the veteran player for stepping up when the team needed him most.

You stepped in. You delivered.

Thank you for the energy, the laughs, and the impact.
One heck of a stand-in.

Respect always ❤️ pic.twitter.com/b2EB2IqnYi

— The MongolZ (@1mongolz) December 27, 2025

“You stepped in. You delivered,” the message read. “Thank you for the energy, the laughs, and the impact. One heck of a stand-in. Respect always.”

A Short Stint That Exceeded Expectations

Controlez joined The MongolZ on October 23, 2025, as an emergency replacement while the team navigated roster uncertainty. At 28 years old, he was brought in to cover for star rifler Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold and quickly proved his value.

Across three events, controlez helped The MongolZ reach the playoffs twice, including strong runs at Intel Extreme Masters Chengdu and the StarLadder Budapest Major. Statistically, he delivered an above-average 1.05 rating overall, outperforming expectations for a last-minute stand-in.

His most eye-catching performance came during Stage 3 of the Budapest Major, where he averaged a 1.23 rating before struggling in his first Major playoff appearance, which ultimately became his final match with the team.

Event Results With controlez

During his time wearing The MongolZ jersey, controlez competed in three major international tournaments:

• IEM Chengdu 2025, 5th–6th place, $12,500
• BLAST Rivals Fall 2025, 7th–8th place, $10,000
• StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, 5th–8th place, $45,000

While the team did not secure a trophy, the results were widely seen as respectable given the circumstances and the sudden roster changes.

The MongolZ Roster Situation Moving Forward

With controlez departing, The MongolZ are once again down to four active players. Head coach Erdenedalai “maaRaa” Bayanbat now has several options on the table, including promoting young talent Anarbileg “cobrazera” Uuganbayar or potentially recalling Senzu from inactivity.

The current lineup stands as:

• Garidmagnai “bLitz” Byambasuren
• Sodbayar “Techno” Munkhbold
• Ayush “mzinho” Batbold
• Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch

Coach: Erdenedalai “maaRaa” Bayanbat
Inactive: Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold

What’s Next for controlez?

Controlez has not yet commented publicly on his future plans for 2026. He is currently listed as inactive on Chinggis Warriors, the organisation he represented earlier in his career and where he made his first Major appearance in 2025.

Whether he returns to the Chinggis Warriors lineup or explores new opportunities elsewhere remains to be seen, but his composed showing with The MongolZ has likely kept him firmly on the radar.

The post The MongolZ Officially Say Goodbye to controlez After Stand-In Run appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

A Big Year For CS2 Viewership Comes To A Close

As IEM Chengdu wrapped up with FURIA lifting the trophy in front of a packed Chinese crowd, ESL also closed the book on the 2025 season of the Annual Club Incentive program. The system rewards teams based on their contribution to the ESL Pro Tour across the year, including attendance, viewership, and promotional activity. With the final event of the season now behind us, the 2025 standings are locked in, revealing who will take home a share of the massive 2.95 million US dollar pool.

As #IEM Chengdu 2025 wrapped up with @FURIA lifting the trophy, the first year of the Annual Club Incentive also concluded!

The $2,950,000 Annual Club Incentive has now officially come to a close and will be paid out in the first quarter of 2026. pic.twitter.com/CJ6rB3vFkB

— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) December 8, 2025

Team Falcons finished the year on top, claiming the highest share of the payout after maintaining strong viewership numbers throughout 2025. Their position at the summit has hardly shifted since IEM Dallas, and they now walk away with 407,422 US dollars. The MongolZ made one of the biggest late-season jumps, climbing from fourth to second after an impressive IEM Chengdu run.

How ESL Calculated The Final Rankings

The final standings were determined using average concurrent viewers from the Group Stage of IEM Chengdu, sourced from Esports Charts. Sixteen teams were ranked by average viewership, with the top twelve earning viewership points according to ESL’s matrix.

IEM Chengdu 2025 Viewership Leaders

To close out the year, the last 108 viewership points were handed out in Chengdu. These results, paired with each team’s event attendance, produced the final weighted totals for the season. Notable highlights include:

• Team Spirit led the Chengdu viewership board with an impressive 209,650 average viewers.
• The MongolZ and Team Falcons followed closely, both earning the maximum 12 points.
• FURIA, fresh off winning the event, secured 147,275 average viewers.
• Teams like FaZe Clan, Virtus.pro, 3DMAX, and Lynn Vision failed to crack the top twelve, earning no viewership points from the event.

IEM Chengdu also marked the final chance for teams to benefit from the Event Multiplier, which rewards consistent participation across ESL events throughout the year.

Final Annual Club Incentive Standings For 2025

Across all ESL tournaments in 2025, 42 clubs were ranked, with the top 16 receiving a cut of the 2.95 million US dollar fund. Falcons, The MongolZ, and FURIA led the pack with high points totals and strong international visibility.

Top 5 Teams

Falcons’ position reflects their massive draw across the year, with stars like m0NESY and NiKo keeping viewers locked in match after match. The MongolZ capitalised on their late-season surge, while FURIA and NAVI rounded out a highly competitive top four.

Further down the table, Astralis and paiN Gaming squeezed into the top 16 at the last minute, knocking out Eternal Fire and GamerLegion.

What Happens Next?

The 2025 season is officially complete, and ESL will distribute the Annual Club Incentive payments in the first quarter of 2026. All standings will reset for the new year, meaning every team starts fresh with equal footing when the 2026 circuit begins.

The next chapter starts soon, with IEM Kraków kicking off on 28 January and running through 8 February 2026. With viewership shaping such a significant part of the payout, teams will be entering the new season ready to capture audience attention from day one.

The post Team Falcons Top ESL Final Annual Club Incentive Standings For 2025 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The stage is finally set for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 playoffs, and fans are in for a massive weekend of Counter Strike. All eight teams in the bracket are ranked inside the global top 10, which means every match on the schedule has the potential to be a blockbuster. With long running rivalries, storylines that span the entire season, and a hometown favourite making a deep run, this Major is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years.

A Marquee Duel To Open The Playoffs

Spirit will open the playoffs against Falcons, setting up another chapter in the season long clash between Danil “donk” Kryshkovets and Nikola “NiKo” Kovač. It will be their fourth meeting of 2025, and so far NiKo has had the edge. Falcons also arrive with momentum, replacing paiN as the only new team returning to the playoffs after Austin, already marking their best ever finish at a Valve sponsored event.

With Spirit in top form and donk looking unstoppable throughout the Swiss stage, this matchup is the clear headline for day one.

A Grand Final Rematch With Serious Stakes

The second quarterfinal brings a rematch of the Austin Major grand final, as Vitality take on The MongolZ. Both sides have navigated a tough Swiss stage to reach this point, and the rivalry between them has only grown stronger across 2025. Expect a tight, high pressure best of three, where every round counts and neither team can afford early mistakes.

Hometown Energy As MOUZ Return To The Arena

Local fans will have plenty to cheer for as Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás and MOUZ step into the spotlight once again. Their matchup against Finn “karrigan” Andersen’s FaZe Clan is one of the most anticipated games of the weekend. FaZe bring a wealth of experience, while MOUZ look energised by the home crowd and their strong run through the Swiss bracket.

This quarterfinal will also open Friday’s schedule, setting the tone for the second day of playoff action.

FURIA vs NAVI: A Clash Of Titans

To close out the quarterfinals, world number one FURIA meet Natus Vincere in a heavyweight showdown. Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo is chasing his first Major trophy since 2016, and with FURIA sitting atop the rankings, the Brazilian squad enters with enormous expectations. NAVI, however, have proven time and time again that they thrive under high pressure. The two teams have met several times this year, and every encounter has delivered.

With single elimination rules in place, there is absolutely no room for hesitation.

Full Playoff Schedule

All matches will be played in best of three series, except for the grand final. The playoffs begin on 11 December and run through 14 December.

The #BudapestMajor Playoffs bracket reveal:@Team__Spirit vs. @FalconsEsport@TeamVitalityCS vs. @1mongolz @mousesports vs. @FaZeEsports @FURIA vs. @natusvincere pic.twitter.com/0cqmRhzCpT

— StarLadder CS2 (@StarLadder_CS) December 7, 2025

The post StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Playoffs Matchups Locked In appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The MongolZ has officially announced that Unudelger “Controlez” Baasanjargal will remain in the team’s starting lineup for the rest of the 2025 Counter-Strike 2 season, including the upcoming StarLadder Budapest Major.

Controlez to Close Out 2025 with The MongolZ

The 28-year-old veteran has been serving as a stand-in since late October, following the surprise benching of Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold. Now, The MongolZ has confirmed via Telegram that Controlez will compete in the team’s final three events of the year, IEM Chengdu, BLAST Rivals Fall, and the Budapest Major.

Image Credit: The MongolZ

This will be Controlez’s second Major appearance in 2025, having previously represented Chinggis Warriors at the BLAST.tv Austin Major earlier in June. The rifler will get another chance to shine on the international stage as part of Asia’s top-ranked CS2 roster.

Experience Over Firepower

Controlez brings a wealth of experience to The MongolZ lineup, having first played for the organisation back in 2017 when he began his Counter-Strike career. Despite his experience, his overall 2025 rating of 1.06 leaves a notable gap compared to Senzu’s higher fragging output.

Mongolian commentator Khatanbold “KEi” Batbayar, who spoke with Senzu following his benching, revealed burnout as the main reason for the roster change. With no time to trial academy players before the season’s end, The MongolZ opted for a proven, experienced stand-in to ensure stability heading into the final stretch.

Community Reactions

The announcement sparked plenty of debate across the CS2 community. On HLTV and social media, fans were divided between optimism and concern.

Some supporters praised the move, pointing out Controlez’s solid showing at the Austin Major and his years of experience in Mongolian Counter-Strike. One fan wrote, “With such an experienced player, The MongolZ will still be a massive threat to all teams.”

Others, however, expressed doubts about his firepower compared to Senzu. “Because it’s hard to imagine anyone replacing Senzu,” one user commented, “people are more disappointed about losing a title contender rather than thinking the team’s fallen off.”

Many fans also voiced sympathy for Senzu, with several pointing out that burnout at such a young age isn’t uncommon in esports. As one commenter put it, “It’s okay to be burnt out at 19, we’ve seen this happen before — hope he comes back stronger.”

Still, there’s no shortage of optimism. Comments like “MongolZ soon with the Major trophy under control ez” and “Get ready for Controlez Major MVP” show that the faith in Mongolia’s top team remains strong.

The MongolZ’s 2025 Run

It’s been a landmark year for The MongolZ, who have cemented themselves as one of the best teams in the world. Their 2025 achievements include winning the Esports World Cup and finishing runners-up at the BLAST.tv Austin Major, BLAST Bounty Season 2, and FISSURE Playground 2.

The MongolZ also recently topped the October Valve Regional Standings, entering November as the world’s highest-ranked CS2 team. Despite the shake-up, many fans still see them as a major threat heading into the Budapest Major, though others remain cautious about how the lineup will perform without Senzu’s firepower.

Full Roster and Upcoming Events

The MongolZ’s current roster now features:

• Garidmagnai “bLitz” Byambasuren
• Sodbayar “Techno” Munkhbold
• Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch
• Ayush “mzinho” Batbold
• Unudelger “Controlez” Baasanjargal (stand-in)
• Erdenedalai “maaRaa” Bayanbat (coach)

The team’s next test comes at IEM Chengdu 2025, running from November 3rd to 9th, where they’ll compete for a share of the $300,000 USD prize pool. The event serves as a crucial warm-up before the StarLadder Budapest Major, which begins on November 24th.

With Controlez stepping in and the team looking to maintain their top form, all eyes will be on whether The MongolZ can continue their strong year or if the late-season roster change will shake their momentum.

The post The MongolZ Confirms Controlez for StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.