CS Asia Championships 2026 opens in Shanghai with 16 teams, a $1 million prize pool, and the most stacked Asian CS event of the year. The tournament runs May 20-24 with double-elimination group stages, Bo1 openers, Bo3 advancement, and a Bo5 grand final. Aurora were originally scheduled but withdrew; Ninjas in Pyjamas took the slot.
The team list
Group A: Falcons, MOUZ, Legacy, TYLOO, BC.Game, paiN Gaming, M80, NRG. Group B: The MongolZ, Liquid, PARIVISION, Ninjas in Pyjamas, 3DMAX, MIBR, Lynn Vision, plus one more invitee. The opening matchups are stacked — MOUZ vs TYLOO (already played, see the upset), Falcons vs BC.Game (karrigan vs s1mple), PARIVISION vs Liquid (already in the books), MongolZ vs Lynn Vision, 3DMAX vs MIBR.
Prize and format
The $1M is split into player and club shares. First place takes $150,000 player + $250,000 club. Second place gets $70,000 player + $100,000 club. Top three from each group reach playoffs — group winners straight to semi-finals, second and third placers into quarter-finals. Single-elimination from there, Bo5 grand final.
The storylines worth tracking
Liquid’s malbsMd visa situation. MOUZ evaluating jL on loan — he told HLTV the event is ‘a good chance for MOUZ to try me out.’ Falcons hoping karrigan momentum carries into the s1mple matchup. MongolZ continuing to prove they’re Asia’s strongest CS2 team. The broadcast features Anders, HenryG, Pimp, Bleh, Mac, Pala, vENdetta, and Striker. HLTV Fantasy is open. The tournament is one of the last major international LAN events before the IEM Cologne Major.
