BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 has officially received its final list of participants. In March, one of Europe’s premier venues — Ahoy Arena — will host 16 teams, forming one of the strongest lineups of the CS2 spring season.
Rotterdam Open 2026
BLAST continue to build their own ecosystem of major LAN events, and Rotterdam Open 2026 is yet another confirmation of this strategy. The tournament combines direct invites for top teams with slots for regional representatives, allowing a balance to be maintained between the scene’s elite and ambitious squads from the Rising circuit.
Rotterdam becomes a natural point of convergence — a new market for CS2, a modern arena, and extremely dense competition already at the group stage.
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A lineup that leaves no room for a warm-up
The participant list features nearly the entire current tier-one scene. Vitality, FaZe, Spirit, MOUZ, FURIA, and Falcons have all confirmed their attendance — teams for whom anything short of a playoff finish is already considered a failure.
They are joined by Natus Vincere, Team Liquid, The MongolZ, and Aurora, squads that consistently hold strong positions in the global rankings and regularly challenge for titles.
Tournament geography: from tier one to Rising
BLAST Open Rotterdam is not limited to favorites alone. The lineup also includes NRG, Ninjas in Pyjamas, TYLOO, 9z, and B8.
For these rosters, Rotterdam is more than just a LAN — it is an opportunity to solidify their place in the upper part of the VRS and secure critically important points ahead of the summer stretch of the season. It is at tournaments like these that unexpected upsets and new tier-one names are often born.
Format and context
The tournament will take place from March 27 to 29 in a LAN format with a full arena and live audience. The double-elimination group stage creates additional room for comebacks, but at the same time does not forgive a weak start — one bad day can instantly push a team into survival mode.
For the favorites, this is a test of consistency; for mid-tier teams, a chance to break into the playoffs; and for Rising squads, a moment of truth that can change the trajectory of their season.
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A minimum of free wins
BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 looks like one of the most stacked tournaments of the spring. Sixteen teams, a minimum of easy matches, and maximum pressure from the very first round. Rotterdam promises not only big names, but a genuine fight for status, points, and positions in the global CS2 hierarchy.
