Erik “fl0m” Flom has announced his first-ever LAN tournament — fl0m’s Mythical LAN 2026, set to take place from January 9–11 at the legendary HyperX Esports Arena in Las Vegas. The event will feature a $30,000 prize pool, gather 500 live spectators, and host the top 8 North American teams supported by Monster Energy, opening a new chapter for the regional CS2 scene.
Format and qualification system
Eight North American teams that rank in the top 8 of the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) by the end of November 2025 will be invited to FML 2026. This decision adds an extra layer of intrigue, as the lineup of participants will directly depend on the results of the year’s final tournaments. The competition will follow a classic structure:
- Two GSL-style groups (best-of-three);
- The top two teams from each group advance to playoffs;
- Playoffs played in single-elimination format (best-of-three).
This structure ensures a balance between intense group matches and a climactic final, where not only prize money but also regional prestige will be at stake.
It's finally happening… Announcing @MonsterEnergy’s FML 2026, my very first LAN event!
⚔️ Top 8 Ranked NA VRS Teams
💰 $30,000 Prize Pool
📍 The HyperX Arena in Las Vegas
🧑🦲 500 live spectatorsTickets & Event Info ➡️ https://t.co/YizyoN4Jt4
See you there January 9th – 11th,… pic.twitter.com/9TAsXa8P1J— fl0m (@fl0mtv) October 3, 2025
Prize pool
Organizers confirmed the distribution of the $30,000 prize pool:
- 1st place — $12,500
- 2nd place — $7,000
- 3rd–4th place — $3,000
- 5th–6th place — $1,250
- 7th–8th place — $1,000
For a tier-two LAN event, this is a solid reward that could attract ambitious lineups seeking both stability and valuable stage experience in front of a live audience.
fl0m on his dream
In his announcement, fl0m did not hide his emotions, emphasizing that this tournament is the realization of a long-time dream:
Honestly, this is my dream coming true. I’ve always looked up to Beyond The Summit: it was such a cool format, where players were super relaxed, but there were no fans. Now I want to take HyperX Arena and make it the real house for players and fans alike.
Thus, FML 2026 aims to combine the friendly atmosphere of studio events with the excitement of a true LAN tournament.
Context: why it matters
The North American CS scene has been struggling in recent years: most top players have moved to Europe, and regional tournaments often cannot compete with major international leagues. In this context, the appearance of a new LAN event backed by strong sponsors and offering young teams the chance to perform on stage carries special importance.
For tier-two players, FML 2026 could become a crucial platform to showcase themselves. For fans, it’s a long-awaited return of LAN atmosphere to the American CS2 community. And for fl0m himself, it marks the beginning of an ambitious path as a tournament organizer.
Community reaction
The announcement of FML 2026 sparked an explosion on social media. Prominent players, insiders, journalists, and even entire organizations immediately voiced their support for fl0m’s initiative.
Jason Lake, Complexity’s founder, praised Erik’s effort:
Awesome work my friend
Insider and journalist Jake Lucky responded briefly but enthusiastically:
OH YESSIR
To which fl0m instantly replied: “You coming?”
Former player and content creator Trottah praised the format and emphasized the importance for the region:
This is so sick! Let’s go NA events
Professional players also joined in: EliGE wrote “sickkkkkk cool shit!”, while Sam Hall (samzorz) confirmed his attendance:
I’m comin
Streamer Jericho added emotionally:
now THIS is E-sports
Event partner Monster Gaming reacted in their trademark style:
LET’S FUCKING GOOOO!!!
Team Liquid CS also supported the announcement with a simple: “nice!”, alongside other creators like austinCSGO.
These reactions show that FML 2026 already enjoys massive support and credibility from the North American scene. Organizers, players, and fans alike expect the event to become a crucial step in reviving the region’s LAN culture.
Expectations and outlook
Given the shortage of stable LAN events in North America, FML 2026 could lay the foundation for a series of regular tournaments. If the Las Vegas debut proves successful, fl0m may well expand future editions, invite more teams, and possibly integrate European lineups.
It has already been confirmed that tickets are available at fl0m.com, and fan interest is huge.
