PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 returns as one of the most important LAN events of the early CS2 season. From February 14 to February 22, sixteen teams will compete in Romania for a $625,000 prize pool and crucial momentum heading deeper into 2026.
Format
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 begins with a 16-team Swiss System group stage. All matches are best-of-three. Teams play until they reach three wins (and advance) or three losses (and are eliminated). Rounds two through five are seeded using the Buchholz system combined with initial seeding, meaning strength of opponents matters. Early wins can create momentum — early losses create brutal matchups. The top eight teams advance to the Playoffs. The Playoffs follow a single-elimination bracket. All matches are best-of-three, except the Grand Final, which is best-of-five. Stage 1 takes place in a studio environment, where focus and preparation dominate. Only the Playoffs move to the arena stage, where pressure and crowd energy shift the dynamic entirely.
Prize Pool Breakdown
The prize pool of PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 amounts to $625,000, and every team receives a share regardless of their final placement. While the champion claims the largest portion of the earnings, each position carries meaningful financial value — even teams eliminated in the early Swiss stage secure a guaranteed payout. In a tightly contested field, every win directly impacts both prestige and prize money. The distribution is as follows:
read more
- 1st — $225,000
- 2nd — $100,000
- 3rd — $68,750
- 4th — $43,750
- 5th–8th — $25,000
- 9th–11th — $15,625
- 12th–14th — $9,375
- 15th–16th — $6,250
The difference between lifting the trophy and finishing second is $125,000 — and the ranking implications are even bigger.
Schedule (CET)
Saturday, February 14 — Swiss Round 1
-
09:00 — Natus Vincere vs Astralis
-
09:00 — Aurora vs FUT
-
12:00 — MOUZ vs PARIVISION
-
12:00 — FaZe Clan vs HEROIC
-
15:00 — Team Vitality vs G2 Esports
-
15:00 — Team Falcons vs 3DMAX
-
18:00 — FURIA vs B8
-
18:00 — The MongolZ vs paiN Gaming
Sunday, February 15 — Swiss Round 2
-
09:00 — Swiss Round 2 Match #1
-
09:00 — Swiss Round 2 Match #2
-
12:00 — Swiss Round 2 Match #3
-
12:00 — Swiss Round 2 Match #4
-
15:00 — Swiss Round 2 Match #5
-
15:00 — Swiss Round 2 Match #6
-
18:00 — Swiss Round 2 Match #7
-
18:00 — Swiss Round 2 Match #8
Monday, February 16 — Swiss Round 3
-
09:00 — Swiss Round 3 Match #1
-
09:00 — Swiss Round 3 Match #2
-
12:00 — Swiss Round 3 Match #3
-
12:00 — Swiss Round 3 Match #4
-
15:00 — Swiss Round 3 Match #5
-
15:00 — Swiss Round 3 Match #6
-
18:00 — Swiss Round 3 Match #7
-
18:00 — Swiss Round 3 Match #8
read more
Tuesday, February 17 — Swiss Round 4 (Qualification & Elimination Matches)
-
11:00 — Swiss Round 4 Match #1
-
11:00 — Swiss Round 4 Match #2
-
14:00 — Swiss Round 4 Match #3
-
14:00 — Swiss Round 4 Match #4
-
17:00 — Swiss Round 4 Match #5
-
17:00 — Swiss Round 4 Match #6
All matches are Bo3. Teams reaching three wins qualify for Playoffs. Teams reaching three losses are eliminated.
Wednesday, February 18 — Swiss Round 5 (Final Qualification Matches)
-
11:00 — Swiss Round 5 Match #1
-
14:00 — Swiss Round 5 Match #2
-
17:00 — Swiss Round 5 Match #3
All matches are Bo3. By the end of this day, the eight playoff teams are confirmed.
Playoffs — Arena Stage
Friday, February 20 — Quarterfinals
-
09:00 — Quarterfinal #1
-
12:00 — Quarterfinal #2
-
15:00 — Quarterfinal #3
-
18:00 — Quarterfinal #4
Saturday, February 21 — Semifinals
-
16:00 — Semifinal #1
-
19:00 — Semifinal #2
Sunday, February 22 — Finals Day
-
13:00 — 3rd Place Decider Match (Bo3)
-
17:00 — Grand Final (Bo5)
Why Watch PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026?
Cluj is where narratives solidify. Vitality look to confirm dominance after Kraków. MOUZ defend last year’s title. FURIA aim to prove their form is sustainable. FaZe chase another deep playoff run. NAVI search for stability. Falcons continue their evolution. Swiss exposes weaknesses. Arena magnifies pressure. Cluj reveals who is ready for the rest of the season.
