PGL have officially announced the broadcast talent lineup for PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026, set to kick off on February 14. The Romanian event will feature a 15-person international broadcast team covering all key aspects of a modern LAN production: a studio desk, analysts, on-site and remote casting, as well as full stage hosting. The announcement continues PGL’s commitment to a “big broadcast” approach — built around proven faces, clearly defined roles, and a balance between experience and emotional delivery.
Studio and analysis: a focus on stability and authority
The studio will be hosted by Richard Lewis and Sam Wright (Tech Girl) — a duo that blends journalistic sharpness with accessible presentation. Richard Lewis will handle hard-hitting topics and broader context, while Tech Girl brings pace, flow, and direct engagement with the audience.
The analyst desk features four familiar names:
- Jacob Winneche (Pimp) — in-depth tactical breakdowns and attention to micro-details,
- Janko Paunović (YNk) — a strategic outlook shaped by experience with top-tier teams,
- Alex Ellenberg (Mauisnake) — modern analysis with a focus on CS2 trends and direction,
- Dustin Mouret (dusT) — a balance between data, macro understanding, and TV-friendly delivery.
This lineup allows PGL to cater both to hardcore viewers and to a broader, more casual audience.
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Casting booths: a mix of LAN energy and remote production
The casting team will be split between on-site and remote pairs — a standard setup for major events that preserves scheduling flexibility while maintaining production quality.
On-site casters
Working directly from the arena will be:
- Conner Girvan (Scrawny) / Mohan Govindasamy (launders) — an energetic and already iconic duo,
- Chad Burchill (SPUNJ) / Alex Richardson (Machine) — a combination of analytical depth and headline-level delivery.
Remote casters
Casting remotely will be:
- Hugo Byron (Hugo) / Harry Russell (JustHarry),
- Jason O’Toole (moses) / Adam Hawthorne (Dinko).
This split ensures that key playoff matches benefit from maximum stage atmosphere, while the group stages receive consistent, high-quality commentary.
James Banks (BanKs) will serve as both stage host and interviewer. For PGL, this is a proven choice — Banks is closely associated with major LAN events, live crowd interaction, and emotional post-match interviews.
Community reaction: memes, criticism, and overall approval
The talent announcement quickly went viral on X (Twitter) and Reddit. Part of the discussion immediately turned humorous, with users commenting on the official photos of certain talents. Mauisnake and Machine drew the most memes, with fans comparing the images to “NPCs from a car mechanic simulator” or poking fun at the monochrome portraits.
There were also questions from the community, particularly regarding the absence of jaxi and sjokz, which sparked separate discussion threads about PGL’s selection choices.
Still, the overall reaction was overwhelmingly positive. James Banks himself joined the conversation, reminding fans that last year’s Cluj-Napoca “wow’d” the CS community with its atmosphere and promising an even bigger event this time around. Many users also highlighted the return of Tech Girl, while the lineup as a whole was widely described as “stacked” and fitting for a top-tier LAN tournament.
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What this lineup says about PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 is shaping up to deliver more than just a standard casting roster. Instead, it brings a full-scale broadcast lineup aimed at international reach, high production value, and deep event coverage. The blend of trusted talent, LAN energy, and active engagement with the community sends a clear message: PGL are preparing a tournament that aims to be one of the defining CS2 events of the early season.
