PGL is back with another major Counter-Strike 2 event — the PGL Masters Bucharest 2025, kicking off on October 26 and running until November 1 in Bucharest, Romania.
The tournament features a $1.25 million prize pool, split evenly between club and player shares. Sixteen teams will fight for the title, and interestingly, only one top-10 team will be in attendance, making this event unpredictable and exciting to watch.
In this article, we’ll break down the tournament format, participating teams, key favorites, potential underdogs, and how to catch all the action live.
PGL Masters Bucharest Tournament Format
Group Stage
- 16 Team Swiss System Format
- Rounds 2 to 5 are seeded using the Buchholz system & teams’ initial seeds
- All matches are Bo3
- Top 8 teams proceed to Playoffs
Playoffs
- Single-Elimination bracket
- All matches (excl. Grand Final) are Bo3
- Grand Final is Bo5
PGL Masters Bucharest Teams, Favorites & Underdogs
Favorites
Aurora stands as the only top-10 team attending the event, making it the natural frontrunner. However, Astralis, HEROIC, and Liquid bring immense experience and a history of championship-caliber performances, keeping them firmly in the favorites’ circle.
Two other teams worth watching closely are Legacy and 3DMAX. Both made deep runs at the recent CS Asia Championship, where Legacy triumphed 3–2 over 3DMAX in the Grand Final after each team upset higher-ranked opponents such as HEROIC and Liquid. Their recent form and confidence could make them dangerous contenders in Bucharest.
Dark Horses
Several teams have shown flashes of brilliance this year, which could cause major upsets: BetBoom, paiN, Gentle Mates, and GamerLegion. Each squad has managed to take down top teams in recent tournaments. If they can find consistency across the Bo3 format, they have a real chance to make deep playoff runs.
Underdogs
The remaining teams enter Bucharest as underdogs. While they haven’t produced strong results throughout 2025, tournaments like this often provide the perfect stage for surprise runs. It’s anyone’s game — and unpredictability makes this event so intriguing.
PGL Masters Bucharest Opening Matches Schedule
October 26
- Legacy vs. Liquid and paiN vs. Gentle Mates starting at 10:00 CET
- GamerLegion vs. FlyQuest and HEROIC vs. Ninjas in Pyjamas starting at 13:00 CET
- 3DMAX vs. SAW and BetBoom vs. MIBR starting at 16:00 CET
- Aurora vs. fnatic and Astralis vs. B8 starting at 19:00 CET
How to Watch PGL Masters Bucharest
The PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 will be streamed live for viewers worldwide. You can enjoy every thrilling moment at home, work, or on the go.
There will be official Twitch, YouTube, and K1CK streams:
Closing Thoughts: A Tournament Full of Opportunity and Surprise
The PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 might be one of the most unpredictable tournaments. With only one top-10 team attending the event, any squad can make a statement, and for veterans, it’s a chance to reclaim their glory and regain their confidence. The combination of a high-stakes prize pool, competitive format, and a mix of teams sets the stage for thrilling storylines and unforgettable matches.
Whether you’re cheering for favorites like Aurora or hoping for a dark horse or underdog miracle run, Bucharest will deliver plenty of drama and excitement.
