The organizers of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 have officially finalized the full list of participants for the LAN finals of the tournament, which will take place in Malta. Eight teams advanced to the decisive stage after overcoming the online qualifiers and will now fight for the trophy and the large prize pool of $772,500.
For many teams, this will be their first serious LAN test of 2026, and the tournament itself will serve as an indicator of the real strength of the rosters after the offseason changes and rebuilds.
BLAST Bounty
BLAST Bounty remains one of the key tournaments at the start of the season, where teams from different regions and with different styles clash. The LAN finals format creates conditions as close as possible to the Major level: a stage, pressure, a full playoff, and minimal room for error.
It is at tournaments like these that the first real understanding of the hierarchy of power in the new season is often formed. For top teams, it is an opportunity to cement their status as favorites, while for second-tier rosters it is a chance to sharply rise in the rankings and change how they are perceived by the scene and the fans.
All participants of the LAN stage of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1
- Vitality
- FURIA
- Falcons
- Spirit
- Liquid
- PARIVISION
- GamerLegion
- HEROIC
This lineup makes the BLAST Bounty LAN finals one of the most competitive tournaments at the start of the year: several teams consistently sit in the world top-5, while others get the chance to make a breakthrough and secure a place among the elite.
Favorites and balance of power
On paper, the main contenders for the trophy look to be Vitality, FURIA, Spirit, and Falcons.
Vitality approach the tournament with the status of one of the most stable teams in the world. Their experience in big finals and deep playoff runs makes them a natural favorite in any LAN format. If the team quickly finds its rhythm, they are likely to set the pace for the entire tournament.
FURIA, meanwhile, look like the most dangerous “dark horse” among the favorites. The Brazilians are traditionally strong on LAN, and their aggressive style can create problems even for the most structured opponents. For them, BLAST Bounty is a chance to prove that they are once again ready to consistently fight for titles.
Spirit come in with a reputation as one of the strongest teams in terms of individual skill. If they avoid issues with consistency, they are capable of beating anyone, especially in a single-elimination format.
Falcons, in turn, are at a point where every big LAN is a test of the project’s viability. For them, a successful performance in Malta could become the first real confirmation of top-team status.
A chance for upsets and breakthroughs
The battle among the second-tier teams looks no less interesting: Liquid, GamerLegion, PARIVISION, and HEROIC.
Liquid have a unique opportunity to redeem themselves after the unstable results at the end of last season. The BLAST Bounty LAN finals can become their reset point and a return to the top-10.
GamerLegion and PARIVISION are classic teams that can “explode” over a short distance. In a single-elimination format, even one successful series can change the course of the entire tournament and create a sensation.
HEROIC are traditionally dangerous in matches against favorites, especially when those underestimate their structured style of play. For them, BLAST Bounty is a chance to once again remind everyone that they are a team capable of breaking predictions.
As a result, the LAN stage of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 looks not just like another tournament on the calendar, but like the first true test of the balance of power in the new season. It will define not only the favorites, but also those who can become the main revelations of early 2026.
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Hierarchy of power for 2026
The BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 LAN finals in Malta become one of the key starting points of the new CS2 season. The participant lineup combines both unquestionable favorites in the form of Vitality, FURIA, Spirit, and Falcons, as well as teams for whom this tournament could become a turning point and a breakthrough. A format with minimal room for error, a large prize pool, and the status of the first serious LAN of the year make every match максимально significant.
It is here that the real hierarchy of power for 2026 will begin to take shape. For some, it is a chance to confirm dominance; for others, an opportunity to drastically change their own status on the world stage. BLAST Bounty will effectively become the first marker of who is ready to fight for titles throughout the season, and who is still only searching for stability.
