The PW Shanghai Major 2024 will be the second CS2 Major, following the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024. The event is set to be held between November 30th and December 15th, 2024, bringing many of the best CS2 teams from around the world to compete for Counter-Strike’s biggest prize. With $1.25 million on offer in total prize money, there’s more than just bragging rights up for grabs here.
Read on to find out all the crucial information you need to know about the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024.
Despite being hosted by Perfect World, all of the English-speaking streams will be hosted by PGL. Therefore, you’ll be able to watch all the action from the PW Shanghai Major 2024 from the official PGL Twitch channels, found below:
The PW Shanghai Major 2024 is set to follow a very familiar format for fans of competitive CS2. It will kick off with the 16-team Opening Stage, which will be played between November 30th and December 3rd. The format for this stage is as follows:
After this, we move to the Elimination Stage, where the competition really starts to heat up, and the pressure doubles on all the teams. This uses the same format as the Opening Stage and will be played between December 5th to 8th:
Last but certainly not least is the Playoffs. Here is where legends are made, and legacies are written between December 12th to 15th. It uses the most simple format of all:
Credit: Perfect World
Coming into the Opening Stage of the PW Shanghai Major 2024, there has to be a few teams favored to make it out to the next stage. Our first pick is FURIA. We’ve liked what we’ve seen from the Brazilian team of late, and the addition of skullz really seems to have made a difference. Watch out for them in Shanghai.
Then, we want to highlight GamerLegion. They made it through the RMR by the skin of their teeth, and this young squad showed grit and determination to bring it back from the 0:2 bracket. With talented coach ashhh at the helm, young IGL ztr making waves, and FL4MUS coming into his own, there’s no reason GamerLegion can’t be a problem in the PW Shanghai Major 2024.
Finally, we obviously have to fancy Team Liquid to get out of the opening stage. On paper, they should be a level above the teams around them, even with some shaky form of late. The only real concern will be YEKINDAR, who still looks miles off the pace in almost every match.
Opening Stage
Credit: Perfect World
Eight teams have already secured their spots in the Elimination Stage, and will later be joined by eight more later. In all likelihood, the winner of the PW Shanghai Major 2024 will come from this list of teams. The big favorite has to be NAVI, who became CS2 Major winners earlier this year at the PGL Major Copenhagen. They’ve been the big winners of 2024, and triumphing in back-to-back Majors would cement their place as one of the great rosters.
Meanwhile, we’re not counting out G2. This is being touted as a ‘last dance’ situation for this roster, and we all know how dangerous that can be. NiKo is still on the prowl for that elusive Major in what will be his final tournament with G2 – we certainly wouldn’t count them out. They’ve shown on multiple occasions throughout 2024 that they’re a team capable of winning trophies. They just have to peak at the right time. The Shanghai Major betting odds may not be on their side, but sometimes, the heart rules over the head.
Credit: Perfect World
As usual, CS2 Majors attract the biggest talent from within the scene to bring the action to life. Check out the full talent lineup for the event below – there are some great names putting their talents to use here.
Credit: Perfect World
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