FURIA are heading back to Malta with a title to defend. The Brazilian side won last year’s Thunderpick World Championship and will now attempt to repeat that success against seven challengers, including Falcons and Aurora. The five-day tournament begins on Wednesday, October 14, with $1 million in total prize money and the grand final scheduled for Sunday, October 18.
With only eight teams competing, there is little room for a poor start. Four teams will be eliminated before the playoffs, and several of the favourites could find themselves facing each other long before the final.
FURIA face strong competition from Falcons and Aurora
FURIA enter the tournament as defending champions and one of the highest-ranked teams in attendance. They have established themselves among Counter-Strike’s leading sides, but retaining the title will require them to navigate a difficult group featuring Legacy, PARIVISION and BETBOOM. Their opening match against BETBOOM will provide an early indication of whether they can reproduce last year’s success.
Falcons are likely to be one of their biggest challengers. The international lineup has the individual quality to compete for the trophy and enters the tournament as the highest-seeded team. Their first opponents will be Ninjas in Pyjamas, who received a late invitation after Virtus.pro withdrew from the event. Falcons will be expected to win that match, although the replacement gives NIP an unexpected opportunity to compete against some of the strongest teams in the world.
Aurora could also have a major influence on the tournament. The Turkish side have become increasingly competitive internationally and will share Group A with Falcons, NIP and 9z. With only two playoff places available, a potential meeting between Aurora and Falcons could determine which team enters the knockout stage in the stronger position.
NIP replace Virtus.pro as arT returns for Legacy
The final team list was confirmed following Virtus.pro’s withdrawal. The organisation had secured its place through the closed qualifier but was unable to attend because of visa complications involving Aleksandr “AquaRS” Kovalev and health issues affecting Dias “F0R3VER” Kutubay, who has temporarily stepped away from the active lineup.
Ninjas in Pyjamas were selected as their replacement and will now begin their campaign against Falcons on Wednesday. Although they enter as underdogs, the invitation gives them another opportunity to collect valuable ranking points ahead of the final months of the season.
Legacy have also received an important boost ahead of the tournament, with Andrei “arT” Piovezan returning to the lineup. The Brazilian in-game leader missed ESL Pro League Season 24 while recovering from meningitis, forcing the team to compete with Pedro “bobz” Rocha as a stand-in. Legacy were eliminated during the group stage in Poland, but having their regular captain back could make a difference in Malta, particularly against their opening opponents PARIVISION.
AdvertisementTournament format and opening matches
The eight participating teams have been divided into two groups of four. Each group follows a GSL double-elimination format, meaning teams must win two best-of-three series to reach the playoffs, while two defeats will end their tournament. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
Group A: Falcons, Ninjas in Pyjamas, 9z and Aurora.
Group B: Legacy, PARIVISION, FURIA and BETBOOM.
All eight teams begin their campaigns on Wednesday, October 14, with the following opening matches:
| UK time | Match |
|---|---|
| 09:30 | 9z vs Aurora |
| 12:00 | Falcons vs Ninjas in Pyjamas |
| 14:30 | Legacy vs PARIVISION |
| 17:00 | FURIA vs BETBOOM |
The opening day should give us a clearer picture of the title contenders. Falcons will want to justify their status as the highest seed, while FURIA face a BETBOOM side capable of making their title defence uncomfortable. Legacy’s meeting with PARIVISION is another match worth following, especially with arT returning to lead the Brazilian team.
Once the group stage is complete, the four remaining teams will compete in a single-elimination playoff bracket. The semi-finals and third-place match will be played as best-of-three series, while Sunday’s grand final will be a best-of-five.
$1 million prize pool
There is significant prize money available in Malta, with the tournament offering $1 million divided equally between player and club shares. The champions will receive a combined $500,000, while the runners-up will collect $250,000.
| Placement | Player share | Club share |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $250,000 | $250,000 |
| 2nd | $125,000 | $125,000 |
| 3rd | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| 4th | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| 5th–6th | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| 7th–8th | $10,000 | $10,000 |
Beyond the financial rewards, the event also carries importance for the Valve Regional Standings. Strong performances could help teams improve their positions ahead of upcoming tournaments, adding further significance to every match.
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Can FURIA win it again?
FURIA have the experience and quality to defend their title, but the competition looks stronger than the eight-team field might suggest. Falcons will be determined to turn their individual talent into another trophy, while Aurora have shown they can challenge established opposition. Legacy could also become a difficult opponent if arT’s return helps them rediscover their best form.
The format adds another layer of uncertainty. A team can recover from one group-stage defeat, but there is no second chance once the semi-finals begin. Even the strongest teams will need to perform consistently across several days rather than relying on one outstanding series.
FURIA arrive with the trophy everyone else wants. By Sunday evening, we will know whether the Brazilians have successfully defended their crown or whether Malta has produced a new Thunderpick World Champion.