BLAST Open Porto 2026:Teams, Schedule, Format, Prize Pool
Everything you need to know about BLAST Open Porto 2026, including all 16 teams, schedule, format, prize pool, groups, playoffs, favorites and where to watch.
BLAST Open Porto 2026 is the second BLAST Premier Open of the 2026 season, and marks BLAST's return to Portugal. Sixteen Counter-Strike 2 teams compete for a $1,100,000 prize pool from August 26 to September 6 — with the group stage played at BLAST Studios in Copenhagen before the tournament moves to the Super Bock Arena in Porto for the playoffs.
The tournament arrives shortly after the Esports World Cup 2026, giving many of the world's leading teams another shot at a major international LAN with barely any time to reset in between.
This guide covers the format, all 16 teams and both groups, the full schedule, prize distribution, where to watch, and CS2owl's own favorites, dark horses and players to watch heading into the opening round.
Dates
Aug 26 – Sep 6, 2026
Teams
16
Prize Pool
$1,100,000
Group Stage
Aug 26–31 · Copenhagen
Playoffs
Sep 4–6 · Porto
Format
Groups (Bo3) + Playoffs
Two Cities, One Trophy
Despite the name, BLAST Open Porto isn't played entirely in Porto. The group stage runs at BLAST's own studios in Copenhagen; only the six teams who survive it travel to Portugal for the playoffs.
Format
Group Stage
16 teams are split into two 8-team groups (A and B), each playing its own double-elimination bracket, best-of-three throughout. Per group: the winner advances directly to the playoff semi-finals, while the 2nd- and 3rd-placed teams advance to the quarter-finals. The remaining five teams per group are eliminated. Six teams total reach the playoffs.
Playoffs
Six teams, single-elimination: quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the Grand Final. Every playoff match is best-of-three — except the Grand Final, which is the tournament's only best-of-five.
Teams
All 16 teams, ordered by HLTV World Ranking (captured August 17, 2026).
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#8
#9
#10
#12
#14
#18
#28
#31
#34
#40Groups
Group A opens on August 26, Group B on August 27. Group standings are blank below since the group stage hasn't started yet — this table will fill in with real results once it does.
Group A — opens Aug 26
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Spirit | — |
| FURIA | — |
| Natus Vincere | — |
| Aurora | — |
| G2 | — |
| paiN | — |
| DENDELE | — |
| M80 | — |
Group B — opens Aug 27
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Falcons | — |
| Vitality | — |
| MOUZ | — |
| 9z | — |
| Legacy | — |
| FUT | — |
| Inner Circle | — |
| Lynn Vision | — |
Brackets
Group A Bracket
Double-elimination. Opening Round matchups/times/links match the day-by-day schedule below — everything past that is genuinely undecided until those matches are played.
Upper Bracket
Opening Round
Upper Semis
Upper Final
→ Group A winner, Playoff Semis
Lower Bracket
Lower Round 1
Opening Round losers
Lower Round 2
+ Upper Semis losers
Lower Final
→ Group A 3rd, Playoff QF
Group B Bracket
Upper Bracket
Opening Round
Upper Semis
Upper Final
→ Group B winner, Playoff Semis
Lower Bracket
Lower Round 1
Opening Round losers
Lower Round 2
+ Upper Semis losers
Lower Final
→ Group B 3rd, Playoff QF
Playoffs Bracket — Porto
Single-elimination. Six teams: both group winners enter directly at the semi-finals, the four 2nd/3rd-placed teams start at the quarter-finals.
Playoffs
Quarter-Finals
2nd/3rd from each group
Semi-Finals
+ both group winners
Grand Final
Bo5
Schedule
Wednesday, August 26
Prize Pool
Total Prize Pool
$1,100,000
| Placement | Player Prize | Club Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $150,000 | + $100,000 club share |
| 2nd | $60,000 | + $100,000 club share |
| 3rd–4th | $40,000 | + $75,000 club share |
| 5th–6th | $20,000 | + $55,000 club share |
| 7th–8th | $10,000 | + $40,000 club share |
| 9th–12th | $7,500 | + $25,000 club share |
| 13th–16th | $5,000 | + $15,000 club share |
Where to Watch
BLAST Open Porto 2026 streams live on BLAST's official channels, with regional broadcasts available in multiple languages.
Favorites
CS2Owl's predictions for who takes the title, based on team rankings, recent form, and current momentum — going beyond the numbers.
Dark Horses
AuroraRanked #8, but with more individual talent than that suggests. XANTARES and woxic have both been top-level fraggers for years, and on a good day either one can carry a map on their own.9zRanked #9, the strongest Americas side in the field. Their opener against MOUZ won't be easy, but 9z have upset higher-ranked teams before and have the tools to do it again.LegacyRanked #12, built around arT's IGL experience and a patient style that's suited to punishing teams who underestimate them in a Bo3.Players to Watch
Key Storylines
Can Spirit finally close one out?
Spirit have been one of the world's best teams for months, but their most recent Major run ended in the semi-final against Falcons. Porto is another chance to turn that consistency into a trophy, with donk playing some of the best individual Counter-Strike of anyone in the field.
Can Falcons hold the #1 spot?
Falcons arrive as the team to beat — reigning IEM Cologne Major 2026 champions and HLTV's current #1. Backing that up with another deep run, rather than a letdown right after the biggest result of the roster's short time together, is the real test here.
Which underdog reaches the playoffs?
Six of the sixteen teams advance. Aurora, 9z and Legacy all have a real case, but four regional wildcards — Inner Circle, DENDELE, Lynn Vision and M80 — are also in the draw. This format has a track record of producing at least one surprise name in the final six. Legacy in particular arrive off the back of a Round of 16 date with Natus Vincere at the Esports World Cup 2026, a rivalry that's been split down the middle in their meetings so far.
CS2 Skins to Watch
Professional Counter-Strike is also one of the best places to see rare and iconic CS2 skins in action. BLAST Open Porto features some of the world's most recognizable players — here are a few high-profile skins worth keeping an eye out for on broadcast, not a claim that any specific player will be using them.
FAQ
When is BLAST Open Porto 2026?
August 26 to September 6, 2026.
How many teams are playing?
16 teams.
What is the BLAST Open Porto 2026 prize pool?
$1,100,000, split across 16 placements plus club shares.
Where is BLAST Open Porto 2026 played?
The group stage is played at BLAST Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark (Aug 26–31). The playoffs move to the Super Bock Arena in Porto, Portugal (Sep 4–6).
What is the format?
Two 8-team double-elimination Bo3 groups. Each group's winner advances directly to the playoff semi-finals; the 2nd- and 3rd-placed teams advance to the quarter-finals. Playoffs are single-elimination Bo3, except the Grand Final, which is Bo5.
When are the playoffs?
September 4–6, 2026, at the Super Bock Arena in Porto.
Where can I watch BLAST Open Porto 2026?
Live on BLAST's official Twitch, YouTube, TikTok and Kick channels, alongside regional broadcasts in multiple languages.
Who are the favorites?
CS2owl's picks are Spirit, Falcons, Vitality, FURIA and MOUZ — see the Favorites section above for the full breakdown. These are editorial predictions, not confirmed outcomes.
Data Notes
This article will be updated after each major stage of the tournament (opening round, group stage completion, playoffs, and the Grand Final).
Sources: teams, groups, schedule, format and prize distribution from HLTV and BLAST; team rankings from the HLTV World Ranking (August 17, 2026); the jL/mezii lineup change from HLTV; kyousuke's rating from HLTV Stats.
