PGL Masters Bucharest 2025: Schedule, Format, Teams & Predictions
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 is one of the first Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) Tier 1 LAN events where teams can earn those all-important VRS points for IEM Cologne Major 2026. Boasting a massive prize pool and some of the best CS2 teams in attendance, the tournament promises non-stop excitement.
Let’s dive into all the PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 details, including format, schedule, prize pool distribution, the teams competing, and how you can watch the action unfold.
Image Source: PGL / X
- 1. When Is PGL Masters Bucharest 2025?
- 2. What Is The PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 Schedule & Format?
- Prize Pool Distribution
- 3. Teams Competing At PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
- 4. How To Watch PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
- 5. Top Teams At PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
- Aurora Gaming
- Astralis
- Team Liquid
- 6. FAQs
- 7. References
When Is PGL Masters Bucharest 2025?
PGL Masters Bucharest runs from October 26 to November 1, 2025. The event takes place on LAN at the PGL Studios venue in Bucharest, Romania.
What Is The PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 Schedule & Format?
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 begins with a 16-team Swiss Stage on October 26, 2025. All matches are played as a best-of-three, with initial seedings and pairings determined by VRS standings. The top eight teams will advance to the Playoffs Stage.
The tournament will then shift to a single-elimination Playoffs bracket. Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Third-Place Decider are all contested in best-of-three series, while the Grand Final raises the stakes with a best-of-five showdown on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
The tournament was previously known as PGL Belgrade 2025. Due to “unforeseen circumstances,” the organizers decided to move it from Serbia to the PGL Studios venue in the capital of Romania.
— PGL (@pglesports) June 4, 2025
Prize Pool Distribution
The tournament boasts a total prize pool of $1,250,000, equally split between the team share and a club share.
| Place | Total Prize | Team Share (Players) | Club Share (Orgs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | $400,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| 2nd | $187,500 | $93,750 | $93,750 |
| 3rd | $150,000 | $75,000 | $75,000 |
| 4th | $87,500 | $43,750 | $43,750 |
| 5th-8th | $62,500 | $31,250 | $31,250 |
| 9th-11th | $31,250 | $15,625 | $15,625 |
| 12th-14th | $18,750 | $9,375 | $9,375 |
| 15th-16th | $12,500 | $6,250 | $6,250 |
| Total | $1,250,000 | $625,000 | $625,000 |
Teams Competing At PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Sixteen teams are competing at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025. Invites were based on September 2025 VRS rankings. The tournament organizer confirmed the complete list of participants on September 29.
- Aurora Gaming
- 3DMAX
- Astralis
- HEROIC
- GamerLegion
- paiN Gaming
- BetBoom Team
- Legacy
- Fnatic
- SAW
- B8
- NIP
- Gentle Mates
- Team Liquid
- FlyQuest
- MIBR
Image source: PGL / X
How To Watch PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
You can watch all the PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 action via the PGL Twitch, YouTube, and Kick channels.
Top Teams At PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
The trophy is wide open for the taking, with most of the top 10 CS2 teams absent, creating an exciting and unpredictable spectacle for esports fans. Considering past performances and current form, we’ve picked three top contenders to highlight.
Aurora Gaming
Turkish powerhouse Aurora Gaming is the team to beat heading into PGL Masters Bucharest 2025. Based on VRS standings, Aurora Gaming is the highest-ranked (#7) team in attendance.
Showing immense consistency by staying in the top 10 for most of 2025, ranking from #5 to #11 on the VRS, the Aurora Gaming roster (previously Eternal Fire), boasts incredible firepower.
With star rifler İsmailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş as the spearhead of attack, Engin “MAJ3R” Küpeli calling the shots on the server, and Özgür “woxic” Eker wielding the Big Green (AWP) with renewed vigor, Aurora Gaming is looking for their first Tier 1 trophy.
There’s confidence that the Turkish side can pull it off. After all, Aurora Gaming came incredibly close at the Esports World Cup, losing to The MongolZ in the Grand Final.
Aurora Gaming roster:
- İsmailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş
- Ali “Wicadia” Haydar Yalçın
- Özgür “woxic” Eker
- Samet “jottAAA” Köklü
- Engin “MAJ3R” Küpeli (IGL)
- Sezgin “Fabre” Kalaycı (Coach)
Astralis
The all-Danish team has had moments of brilliance in 2025, placing 2nd at both FISSURE Playground 1 and PGL Astana 2025. However, they couldn’t qualify for the BLAST.tv Austin Major, and dropped out in 9th-16th place at the Esports World Cup.
On September 1, 2025, Martin “stavn” Lund took a break from competition due to personal circumstances. In his place is the legendary, four-time Major Championship winner Emil “Magisk” Reif, reuniting with AWPer Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz. The combo should send shivers down the spines of many CS2 esports fans and competitors.
With IGL Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen acclimating well since joining in June, the PGL Masters Bucharest trophy might just gravitate towards the Danish team’s stacked cabinet.
Astralis roster:
- Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz
- Victor “Staehr” Staehr
- Jakob “jabbi” Nygaard
- Emil “Magisk” Reif
- Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen (IGL)
- Casper “ruggah” Due (Coach)
Team Liquid
PGL Masters Bucharest marks Team Liquid’s first Tier 1 event since IGL Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken left for FaZe Clan, and the return of Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski. Before Twistzz’s exit, Liquid placed 3rd-4th at FISSURE Playground 2, sweeping Aurora Gaming 2-0 before falling to The MongolZ.
Eyes are on Polish rifler Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek, who is picking up the mantle of in-game leader, and EliGE. It’s an exciting time for Team Liquid fans. If the squad can help Polish AWPer Roland “ultimate” Tomkowiak find his form, they might just have enough firepower to go all the way.
Team Liquid roster:
- Keith “NAF” Markovic
- Roland “ultimate” Tomkowiak
- Guy “NertZ” Iluz
- Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski
- Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek (IGL)
- Viktor “flashie” Tamás Bea (Coach)
Honorable mention goes to the French side 3DMAX, who could just as easily earn a podium finish.
FAQs
Where will PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 take place?
The tournament will take place on LAN at the PGL Studios venue in Bucharest, Romania.
Who will win PGL Masters Bucharest 2025?
Aurora Gaming is the highest-ranked team at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025, and the favorite to win. Based on the VRS rankings, Astralis, Team Liquid, 3DMAX, paiN Gaming, and NIP are among the top contenders.
When does PGL Masters Bucharest start?
The PGL Masters Bucharest tournament is scheduled to begin on October 26, 2025.
Which teams are PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 underdogs?
FlyQuest is the lowest-ranked team at the tournament, followed by HEROIC and BetBoom.
Why did the PGL Masters Bucharest dates change?
The event was shortened to resolve a scheduling clash with IEM Chengdu, as PGL announced the Grand Final would take place on Saturday, November 1.
References
- PGL (X)
- PGL on X: “🇷🇴 Welcome to PGL Masters Bucharest 2025!… (X)
- PGL (Twitch)
- PGL (YouTube)
- PGL (Kick)
- Aurora CS2. (X)
- Astralis Counter-Strike (X)
- PGL on X: “PGL Counter-Strike 2 Updates (X)
