PGL Major Singapore 2026 will mark another symbolic moment in Counter-Strike history. Among the participating teams, only two organizations also competed at the very first CS Major in 2013 — Natus Vincere and Ninjas in Pyjamas. More than a decade later, both clubs are set to return to the game’s most prestigious tournament.
From the first Major to Singapore
The first CS Major took place back in 2013, when the professional scene looked completely different. Since then, dozens of organizations have disappeared, changed direction, or lost their place among the elite, while Counter-Strike itself has transitioned from CS to CS2.
Against this backdrop, the presence of NAVI and NIP at PGL Major Singapore 2026 is particularly significant. These are entirely different rosters competing in a different era, but both organizations have maintained their connection to the most prestigious tournaments in the series for more than a decade.
NIP have competed at 18 Majors
Ninjas in Pyjamas were one of the defining organizations of Counter-Strike’s early era. The Swedish club regularly reached the decisive stages of the first major tournaments, with its greatest achievement being victory at ESL One Cologne 2014.
NIP head into PGL Major Singapore 2026 having competed at 18 Majors throughout their history. The team no longer enjoys the dominance it displayed during the early years of CS, but returning to a Major allows the organization to continue a legacy that began at the very start of the tournament series.
NAVI have an even more extensive history
NAVI have an even longer history of Major appearances. Ahead of Singapore, the organization have competed at 25 tournaments in this category and won two championship titles — at PGL Major Stockholm 2021 and PGL Major Copenhagen 2024.
It is particularly symbolic that NAVI have managed to win Majors in two different versions of Counter-Strike. The team claimed the Stockholm title in CS, while their victory in Copenhagen marked the organization’s first Major trophy in CS2.
Two organizations have survived several generations of the scene
Over the years, NAVI and NIP have completely transformed their rosters, coaching staffs, and approaches to team building. None of the players who represented the clubs at the beginning of Major history remain in their current lineups, so this achievement reflects the longevity of the organizations rather than any particular five-player roster.
That is precisely what makes the statistic so interesting. The Major scene has witnessed several generations of teams, changes to tournament formats and ranking systems, and even the transition to a new game, yet two brands from the inaugural event remain part of Counter-Strike’s biggest competitions.
Singapore will continue the legacy of NAVI and NIP
PGL Major Singapore 2026 will become the next chapter in the long histories of both clubs. For NIP, it will be their 19th Major, while NAVI are set to extend their record to 26 appearances at tournaments in this category.
Of all the organizations that helped establish the Major scene in CS, NAVI and NIP are the ones that have made it to Singapore. They will once again compete on the same stage, continuing a legacy that began with the inaugural Major, but in a very different era of Counter-Strike.
