BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 opens the competitive CS2 calendar with one of the most unusual formats the scene has seen so far. Unlike traditional LAN events, this tournament begins with a high-stakes online Closed Qualifier, where preparation, confidence, and decision-making matter as much as raw skill. With a new map pool, a bounty-based system, and only eight LAN spots available, BLAST Bounty is less about easing into the season — and more about surviving it.
Format
The tournament begins with a 32-team Closed Qualifier, played entirely online in Europe. Instead of a standard seeded bracket, BLAST Bounty uses a bounty-based opponent selection system:
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Higher-seeded teams choose their opponents in early rounds
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Each team carries a cash bounty based on seeding
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Eliminating an opponent transfers their bounty to the winner
This turns every matchup into a strategic choice — teams must decide between safe progression or high-risk, high-reward picks.
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All matches are best-of-three
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The qualifier runs from January 13–18
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Only 8 teams qualify for the LAN stage
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Every round increases pressure as bounties stack
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With a new map pool in play from day one, teams are forced to adapt immediately, often without comfort picks to fall back on.
Prize Pool & Bounties
Unlike traditional prize pools, BLAST Bounty distributes money dynamically through bounties.
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Top seeds enter with bounties of up to $60,000
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Mid-tier teams carry smaller bounties
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Lower seeds may start with $0
When a team is eliminated:
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Their bounty is claimed and banked by the winner
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The deeper a team goes, the more valuable they become
Beating a favorite isn’t just an upset — it’s a financial swing that can define the entire run.
Schedule (CET)
All matches will be played from January 13 to 18 in Central European Time (CET).
Tuesday, January 13 — Round of 32
- 12:00 — OG vs FUT
- 14:30 — EYEBALLERS vs FaZe
- 17:00 — fnatic vs Astralis
- 19:30 — HOTU vs Aurora
Wednesday, January 14 — Round of 32
- 12:00 — Passion UA vs GamerLegion
- 14:30 — NRG vs HEROIC
- 17:00 — Monte vs Natus Vincere
- 19:30 — Virtus.pro vs Vitality
Thursday, January 15 — Round of 32
- 12:00 — M80 vs Gentle Mates
- 14:30 — Inner Circle vs 3DMAX
- 17:00 — Ninjas in Pyjamas vs Liquid
- 19:30 — ECSTATIC vs Falcons
Friday, January 16 — Round of 32
- 11:00 — ENCE vs PARIVISION
- 13:30 — SINNERS vs Spirit
- 16:00 — BetBoom vs paiN
- 18:30 — 9INE vs FURIA
Saturday, January 17 — Stage 2 (Round of 16)
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- 12:00 — Round of 16 Match #1
- 14:30 — Round of 16 Match #2
- 17:00 — Round of 16 Match #3
- 19:30 — Round of 16 Match #4
Sunday, January 18 — Stage 2 (Round of 16)
- 12:00 — Round of 16 Match #5
- 14:30 — Round of 16 Match #6
- 17:00 — Round of 16 Match #7
- 19:30 — Round of 16 Match #8
Where to Watch
The event will be broadcast live online on BLAST’s official Twitch and YouTube channels, alongside approved community co-streams and regional language broadcasts. As an online tournament, all matches will be available to watch live from start to finish without venue restrictions.
Why Watch BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1
As the first major tournament of the 2026 CS2 season, BLAST Bounty sets the tone for what’s to come. It’s the first real look at team form after the offseason and the first high-level event played on the new map pool. With a bounty-based format, an online environment, and only eight LAN spots available, every match carries immediate consequences. Favorites are under pressure, underdogs are incentivized to take risks, and early mistakes can end a run instantly. BLAST Bounty isn’t just a qualifier — it’s an early-season stress test that will reveal which teams are ready, and which ones still have work to do.
