XSE Pro League Guangzhou 2026 may not have been the most prestigious event of the season, but it certainly delivered its fair share of surprises. The tournament saw 9z lift their first-ever international trophy, PARIVISION continue their impressive rise, and several favorites suffer disappointing exits.
Complete Failure: SINNERS and Luminosity
Let’s begin with the teams that completely failed to deliver. SINNERS and Luminosity finished in 15th–16th place after failing to seriously challenge even opponents of a similar level. SINNERS’ situation is particularly disappointing. Once again, the team struggled to perform on the international stage, leaving behind more questions than answers.
Luminosity also continue searching for consistency. The Brazilians occasionally show flashes of quality on individual maps, but when it comes to full series against competitive opponents, they simply cannot maintain their level.
12th–14th Place — The Biggest Questions Surround NiP and 3DMAX
Ninjas in Pyjamas, 3DMAX, Lynn Vision, and MIBR finished slightly higher, but not everyone can be satisfied. The biggest disappointments are undoubtedly NiP and 3DMAX. Both organizations have ambitions far beyond an early playoff exit. 3DMAX, in particular, continue alternating between promising tournaments and underwhelming performances.
Lynn Vision also fell short of expectations on home soil, although the level of competition was extremely high. As for MIBR, their result feels more neutral. The team is still rebuilding and does not yet appear ready to consistently compete for deep playoff runs.
EYEBALLERS and B8 — About What Was Expected
EYEBALLERS and B8 both finished in 9th–11th place. To be honest, neither result came as a surprise. Both teams managed to win individual matches, but once the level of opposition increased, they could not progress any further. For B8, this tournament once again showed that the team is capable of competing, but still lacks the experience needed to consistently reach the latter stages of international events.
BIG, BetBoom, and TYLOO — Capable of More
BIG, BetBoom, and TYLOO all finished inside the top eight. However, considering the quality of these rosters, it feels like all three were capable of going much further. BetBoom looked especially impressive during the opening stages and even defeated BIG. However, once the playoffs began, they failed to maintain that momentum.
TYLOO also left a positive impression, but playing at home naturally raised expectations, and many hoped to see them reach at least the semifinals. BIG once again proved they are one of the toughest opponents to face, but once more fell just short of taking the next step.
FaZe and Alliance — Pleasant Surprises
Before the tournament began, very few people expected FaZe and Alliance to finish among the top four. FaZe finally showed signs of recovery after a difficult period. The team looked much more convincing than in recent events, and a semifinal appearance represents an important step toward returning to title contention. Alliance were one of the biggest revelations of the tournament. Their young roster showed no fear against established organizations and fully deserved their place in the semifinals.
PARIVISION — Another Grand Final, and It Is No Longer a Coincidence
PARIVISION once again proved that their recent success is no fluke. The team confidently navigated the bracket, eliminated BIG and FaZe, and reached another international grand final in a remarkably short period of time.
Although they fell short of lifting the trophy, PARIVISION can no longer be considered a dark horse. They have firmly established themselves as a genuine top-10 team capable of consistently reaching the biggest matches.
9z — A Historic Triumph
The undisputed hero of the tournament was 9z. The Argentine organization did not just win the tournament—they dominated it. Throughout the event, they defeated 3DMAX, MIBR, TYLOO, and Alliance before sweeping PARIVISION 3–0 in the grand final.
Even more importantly, this victory marks the first major international title in the organization’s history. After years of rebuilding, roster changes, and heartbreaking defeats, 9z finally reached the top. Stories like this are what make Counter-Strike so special. A team that few considered a title contender before the event went on to dominate the competition and deservedly lifted the trophy.
Final Thoughts: The Scene Is Becoming More Competitive
XSE Pro League Guangzhou 2026 once again demonstrated that the gap between teams outside the world’s top five continues to shrink. Yesterday’s underdogs are now capable of winning international tournaments, while established organizations increasingly find themselves leaving events without medals.
If this tournament proved anything, it is that in 2026 any team hitting peak form has a realistic chance of lifting a trophy. And that makes every upcoming event even more exciting for Counter-Strike fans.
