BLAST Rivals 2026 Season 1 arrives at a crucial moment in the calendar as one of the final top-tier events before the Major race fully takes over. With only eight invited teams, no easy opening matches, and direct semifinal spots for group winners, every series carries serious weight. Unlike larger marathon events, BLAST Rivals offers immediate pressure—one bad start can completely change a team’s playoff path.
Team Vitality, Natus Vincere, and FURIA arrive as the main favorites, while G2 Esports, Astralis, and FaZe Clan are looking to prove they are ready for the final stretch of the season.
Format
BLAST Rivals 2026 Season 1 features eight teams split into two groups of four. The tournament begins with the Group Stage on April 29–30, using a classic GSL double-elimination format. Every match is played as a best-of-three series, leaving very little room for slow starts or experimental approaches.
The top three teams from each group advance to the Playoffs, but placement matters heavily. Group winners skip the quarterfinals entirely and advance directly to the semifinals. Group runners-up reach the quarterfinals as high seeds, while third-place teams qualify as low seeds and face the hardest playoff road.
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The Playoffs take place from May 1–3 and use a single-elimination bracket. Quarterfinals and semifinals are played as Bo3, while the Grand Final is a Bo5.
Prize Pool
The total prize pool for BLAST Rivals 2026 Season 1 is $350,000 USD, with additional prestige coming from elite-level preparation before the Major.
- 1st place — $125,000
- 2nd place — $60,000
- 3rd–4th place — $30,000
- 5th–6th place — $20,000
- 7th–8th place — $15,000
More importantly, this event gives teams one final chance to test form against direct Major rivals before the most important tournaments of the year begin.
Schedule (CEST)
Wednesday, April 29 — Opening Matches
- 17:00 — Team Vitality vs FUT Esports
- 19:30 — Astralis vs G2 Esports
- 22:00 — Natus Vincere vs FaZe Clan
Thursday, April 30 — Group Progression
- 00:30 — FURIA vs GamerLegion
- 17:00 — Group A Lower Bracket Final
- 19:30 — Group A Upper Bracket Final
- 22:00 — Group B Lower Bracket Final
Friday, May 1 — Group Stage Conclusion + Quarterfinal
- 00:30 — Group B Upper Bracket Final
- 21:30 — Quarterfinal #1
Saturday, May 2 — Playoff Push
- 00:30 — Quarterfinal #2
- 19:30 — Semifinal #1
- 22:30 — Semifinal #2
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Sunday, May 3 — Grand Final
- 19:30 — Grand Final (Bo5)
Where to Watch
BLAST Rivals 2026 Season 1 will be broadcast live on BLAST’s official Twitch and YouTube channels, alongside approved regional streams and community co-streams. Every stage of the event will be fully streamed, from the opening GSL matches to the Grand Final.
With only eight teams and a short format, there are no wasted days—every match directly impacts the title race. For fans following the road to the Major, this is one of the most important tournaments of the spring.
