Valve have released the official March 2, 2026 VRS update — and this is no ordinary ranking refresh. With only one month remaining before the April cutoff that will determine Major invitations, every position now carries strategic weight.
This ranking will be used to distribute invites for upcoming Tier-1 events such as PGL Astana 2026, BLAST Rivals Season 1, FISSURE Playground 3, and CCT Global Finals 2026. While these tournaments themselves do not directly affect Major invites, the April VRS update will — and March is the final preparation window. The pressure phase has officially begun
When and How the Ranking Updates
Valve updates the official VRS ranking once per month, on the first Monday. This is the only ranking that determines:
- Direct invites to Tier-1 tournaments
- Qualification pathways
- Seeding priority
- Major invitation slots (based on the April cutoff)
Between official updates, rankings can be recalculated by third parties, but only the monthly Valve release determines invitations. March is the penultimate checkpoint. April will decide the Major.
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What This Update Impacts
The March ranking already shaped invite distribution for:
- PGL Astana 2026
- BLAST Rivals Season 1
- CCT Global Finals 2026
Teams inside the Top 15–20 are now effectively fighting for stability. Teams between 20–35 are in direct danger. And those outside the Top 40 must produce immediate results to stay relevant.
100 Thieves
The biggest story of the update. From outside the Top 100 to #37 in just weeks. Their incredible run at DraculaN Season 5 — reaching the final and defeating higher-ranked opponents — generated massive VRS value. Beating stronger teams multiplies point gains. In just two tournaments, they forced themselves into the Major conversation. This is not gradual improvement. It is structural acceleration.
9z
9z began the year without a Valve ranking after losing their best player in a controversial split that wiped their VRS status. Now they sit inside the Top 25. They recently won $30,000 at BetBoom RUSH B Summit Season 2, reinforcing their upward trend. From no ranking to direct Stage 2 Major contention — one of the strongest rebuild arcs of 2026.
WHITEBIRD
WHITEBIRD, a grind-heavy mix roster, climbed back into the Top 50 after winning CCT Season 3 Europe Series 16.
Their rise reflects persistence and volume. In the VRS system, consistent participation at weighted events builds structural growth.
HEROIC
HEROIC won DraculaN Season 5 and were rewarded immediately. Tournament victories remain one of the strongest ranking accelerators. Their move into the Top 20 stabilizes their invite position heading into April.
Sharks
Sharks reached the final of BetBoom RUSH B Summit Season 2, translating that deep run into valuable ranking points. In a compressed 30–40 zone, even one strong performance can create meaningful upward movement.
Liquid
Liquid slipped inside the competitive Top 25 zone. This is not catastrophic, but the 18–25 range is the invite tension area — small drops matter here.
fnatic
Two losses at the PGL Bucharest 2026 Europe Closed Qualifier — including one against a lower-ranked team — triggered a correction. The VRS system heavily penalizes weak losses.
Ninjas in Pyjamas
NiP did not play during the update window while competitors accumulated points. Inactivity during an active cycle often results in ranking loss.
ECSTATIC
Limited activity — just one match — combined with strong performances from surrounding teams pushed ECSTATIC downward. In a compressed zone, momentum matters.
Legacy
Legacy have not played tournaments for nearly a month. In the VRS ecosystem, stagnation leads to decline. The ranking does not freeze — others climb past you.
Valve Global Ranking – March 2, 2026
- 1st place Vitality – 2029 (0)
- 2nd place FURIA – 1893 (–2)
- 3rd place MOUZ – 1886 (–1)
- 4th place PARIVISION – 1873 (–1)
- 5th place Falcons – 1842 (–10)
- 6th place Spirit – 1777 (–5)
- 7th place Aurora – 1707 (–1)
- 8th place Natus Vincere – 1686 (–12)
- 9th place The MongolZ – 1616 (–16)
- 10th place (up from 11th) Astralis – 1588 (–4)
- 11th place (down from 10th) G2 – 1587 (–9)
- 12th place FaZe – 1552 (–9)
- 13th place (up from 14th) GamerLegion – 1535 (+42)
- 14th place (down from 13th) FUT – 1530 (–3)
- 15th place Gentle Mates – 1476 (–4)
- 16th place (up from 28th) HEROIC – 1475 (+125)
- 17th place NRG – 1434 (–17)
- 18th place Monte – 1429 (–1)
- 19th place BetBoom – 1417 (–30)
- 20th place (up from 23rd) MIBR – 1407 (+29)
- 21st place B8 – 1404 (–17)
- 22nd place (down from 20th) HOTU – 1401 (–22)
- 23rd place (down from 19th) Liquid – 1400 (–27)
- 24th place (down from 22nd) 3DMAX – 1397 (–10)
- 25th place (up from 46th) 9z – 1382 (+206)
- 26th place illwill – 1369 (+13)
- 27th place Legacy – 1350 (–20)
- 28th place Ninjas in Pyjamas – 1349 (+5)
- 29th place M80 – 1344 (–8)
- 30th place BIG – 1340 (–5)
- 31st place SINNERS – 1338 (–24)
- 32nd place BC.Game – 1331 (–5)
- 33rd place (up from 40th) Sharks – 1321 (+91)
- 34th place paiN – 1308 (–22)
- 35th place K27 – 1307 (+19)
- 36th place FlyQuest – 1307 (+63)
- 37th place (up from 102nd) 100 Thieves – 1306 (+ massive gain)
- 38th place Alliance – 1303 (–33)
- 39th place Passion UA – 1288 (–14)
- 40th place ECSTATIC – 1270 (+4)
- 41st place fnatic – 1238 (–31)
- 42nd place 9INE – 1225 (–10)
- 43rd place WHITEBIRD – 1220 (+14)
- 44th place EYEBALLERS – 1204 (–23)
- 45th place Nemiga – 1203 (+10)
- 46th place RED Canids – 1202 (new)
- 47th place magic – 1201 (–13)
- 48th place BESTIA – 1200 (+22)
- 49th place Nuclear TigRES – 1200 (–9)
- 50th place (up from 54th) KOLESIE – 1198 (+53)
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One Month to Decide Everything
The March update clarified the picture. The top remains stable, but the middle of the ranking is tightening fast. Only one official update remains before the April cutoff that will determine Major invitations. Every LAN in March now carries real weight. A deep run can secure a slot. A weak qualifier or inactivity can cost it. For teams sitting between 15th and 35th, this is the decisive stretch. The race is no longer building — it is already underway.
