From September 12 to 21, Belgrade’s Arena will welcome sixteen teams for FISSURE Playground #2, one of the final S-Tier tournaments before the fall Major. With a $1,250,000 prize pool and a packed international field, every round of the Swiss stage carries weight — a slow start could mean elimination before playoffs even begin. Once the bracket arrives, the pressure only intensifies: single-elimination play means one slip is enough to end a team’s championship hopes.
Format
The Swiss stage runs from September 12 to 17, with all matches played in a best-of-three format. The top eight teams advance to the main bracket. Playoffs will take place from September 19 to 21 as a single-elimination bracket. Quarterfinals and semifinals will be best-of-three, while the grand final will be a best-of-five.
S-Tier — The MongolZ, Falcons, FURIA
The MongolZ continue their meteoric rise, playing fearless Counter-Strike built on firepower and tempo. Falcons enter with sky-high expectations after recent upgrades and a roster full of experience and talent. FURIA look increasingly dangerous — molodoy has adapted seamlessly, and the squad is gaining momentum. This tournament could be their best chance to finally lift a major international trophy.
A-Tier — Aurora, G2, Astralis, paiN
Aurora remain a dangerous dark horse with their structured style, and their EWC 2025 Grand Final run proved it. G2 have shown excellent form, with their recent victory at BLAST Open Fall 2025 underlining their LAN potential, though their AWPer continues to be a weak link that sometimes holds them back. Astralis made a bold move by bringing back Magisk, and it will be fascinating to see how his experience impacts the new lineup. paiN have been working in the shadows, training for months, and this could be their breakout — a chance to replicate their surprising Austin Major run.
B-Tier — FaZe, GamerLegion, Liquid, TYLOO, Legacy
FaZe reached the playoffs at BLAST with a rookie in the lineup, and now he’s gaining valuable experience. If broky can deliver the same impact he’s shown online, playoffs are the minimum expectation. GamerLegion’s disciplined, structured play makes them tough opponents in any best-of-three. Liquid, on the other hand, are in turmoil: the team clearly needs changes and a rebuild, but they continue to grind through events without a clear direction. TYLOO and Legacy are capable of surprise victories, yet their lack of depth usually shows over longer series against elite competition.
C-Tier — HEROIC, 3DMAX, Lynn Vision
Heroic enter with a reshaped roster, but losing their best player leaves them in a fragile state, and competing at this level will be difficult. 3DMAX impressed at EWC 2025 with surprising resilience and could compete with stronger teams if they find the same rhythm again. Lynn Vision remain dangerous thanks to past achievements and solid fundamentals, and they could push higher-ranked opponents to the limit.
D-Tier — Virtus.pro
Virtus.pro are the biggest mystery of the tournament. The team is under new leadership, promoting a captain from the academy, which may be a step toward the future. Yet the departure of electronic leaves questions — it could benefit the team in the long run, but it also strips them of firepower and experience. Whether VP can turn this transition into success or collapse entirely is an open question.
Playoff Prediction
Based on form and expectations, the safest bets to advance through the Swiss stage into the playoffs are The MongolZ, Falcons, FURIA, G2, FaZe, GamerLegion, and Astralis. The final playoff spot should come down to a battle between Legacy and paiN. Legacy bring more firepower and individual ambition, while paiN offer structure and the ability to grind out long series. That head-to-head clash could define the bottom line of the Swiss stage.
Final Thoughts
FISSURE Playground #2 promises intense storylines and potential upsets at every turn. The MongolZ and FURIA look like the most reliable bets for a finals run, but Falcons may have the right combination of experience and raw talent to disrupt the hierarchy. Aurora and Astralis are dangerous floaters, while G2 and FaZe bring unpredictability that makes them difficult to write off.
If current form holds, The MongolZ and FURIA should be considered the main title contenders, but the margin for error in Belgrade is razor thin. One slip, one bad veto, or one off-day could swing the entire tournament and crown a surprise champion.
