PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 ended with another triumph for Vitality, but beyond the final, the tournament delivered far more storylines. For some, it was a breakthrough. For others, a painful blow to their ambitions. And for several major brands, it was a cold and unexpected reality check.
Major Failures: paiN and 3DMAX
paiN were a 100% disappointment. The team managed to take just two maps across two matches, but the overall picture looked weak. They failed to apply sustained pressure, showed little stability, and left their fans in complete shock.
3DMAX had an even worse scenario. Not a single map win throughout the entire tournament. For a team aiming to remain competitive within the European scene, this is a serious alarm bell. If the trend continues, roster changes or a significant drop in the VRS standings could be inevitable.
read more
FaZe, B8, and HEROIC — Instability as a Verdict
FaZe were arguably the biggest brand among the early exits. The finalists of the last Major crashing out near the start of the tournament is difficult to justify. This is a team that has proven it can win big events, but the issue is consistency. Occasional peaks in form might be forgiven for younger squads — not for FaZe.
B8’s situation is less critical. The team is still experimenting with its lineup, searching for balance. There is potential, but for now, the results are simply not there.
HEROIC also have to consider this event a failure. This team either surprises everyone or exits early — and this time, it was the latter. For a project with high ambitions, that is a disappointing outcome.
Astralis, FUT, and G2 — A Complicated Trio
Astralis, after their recent roster changes, showed a relatively decent level of play. It is too early to draw firm conclusions — they need time. There is potential, but the result remains debatable for now.
FUT should not be labeled a disappointment. They are still relatively new on the big tournament stage and continue adapting to top-level competition. Their opening-day victory over Aurora proved they can compete with elite teams. They are definitely a squad worth watching moving forward.
G2, however, stand out as the biggest disappointment among the three. A 9–11th place finish is simply not enough for a brand of this magnitude. G2 are always expected to at least push for a semifinal spot. This time, they fell well short of those expectations.
Quarterfinalists: Good, But Not Good Enough
Aurora, NAVI, Falcons, and FURIA all reached the quarterfinals.
On one hand, that is a respectable result. On the other, these are massive projects with huge fan bases — and thousands of fans hoped to see them at least in the semifinals.
Falcons had a brilliant group stage. FURIA advanced with a 3–1 record. NAVI and Aurora had to grind their way through razor-thin series. But the reality remains: all four were eliminated immediately after stepping into the playoffs. It is not a failure — but it is certainly below expectations.
The MongolZ — Not a Sensation, But Solid
The MongolZ were neither a surprise nor a disappointment. A fourth-place finish is a strong result. The lineup finally looks complete and competitive. With more time for adaptation, talk of a potential “MongolZ era” might not sound so unrealistic.
MOUZ — A Strong Result With a Bitter Aftertaste
MOUZ secured third place — objectively a solid finish. However, there is one unpleasant detail: their loss to PARIVISION in the semifinal.
Many expected MOUZ to comfortably defeat them, especially after crushing the same opponent in the group stage. Instead, a 0–2 defeat shocked the scene. And this is exactly why we love Counter-Strike — tournament logic does not always hold.
PARIVISION — The Tournament’s Biggest Sensation
PARIVISION once again proved their results are no accident. They squeezed into the playoffs with a 3–2 record and then eliminated Falcons and MOUZ on their way to the grand final.
It was an incredible run. In the VRS rankings, they already sit at No.4 in the world, and this tournament only strengthens their position in the global top 10. Perhaps we are witnessing the rise of a new powerhouse — and their peak may still lie ahead.
Vitality — A Machine Without Flaws
Vitality are champions once again. Ten consecutive match victories. Just one map dropped throughout the tournament. Another MVP for ZywOo. A phenomenal final performance from flameZ. The well-oiled Vitality machine is operating at full capacity.
At this point, it is no longer a surprise — it is the new normal. Vitality did not just win PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026. They made another statement about their ambition to dominate the 2026 season. And if this trend continues, the next Major may once again fall under their control.
read more
Final Thoughts: The Scene Is Dividing
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 revealed a clear stratification within the scene. Some teams are gaining momentum and cementing their place among the elite. Others remain stuck in instability. And then there is Vitality — in a category of their own.
The season is only beginning, but one thing is already clear: the battle for the top VRS spots will be brutal. And the biggest question of 2026 is becoming increasingly obvious — who can stop Vitality?
