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BLAST Open Porto: Teams, Format, Schedule, and more
Just three days after Team Spirit was crowned CS2 EWC Champions, the teams set their sights on Porto, Portugal as they prepare for the BLAST Open Fall 2026.
Starting August 26, the second BLAST tournament of the season will feature the strongest squads worldwide playing for $1.1 million and valuable VRS points as the Singapore Major inches closer.
Teams & Format
BLAST Open Fall 2026 kicks off with 16 teams; these are:
|
VRS Invites | |||
|
Regional Qualifiers | |||
|
Inner Circle Esports (EU) |
M80 (NA) |
DENDELE CS (SA) |
Lynn Vision Gaming (Asia) |
The action starts with the group stage, with only 6 teams booking their tickets for the Playoffs at the Super Bock Arena in Porto.
Group Stage
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Two 8-team double-elimination brackets
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Top three teams from each group qualify for the playoffs
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All games are Bo3
Playoffs
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6-team single-elimination bracket
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Group winners are seeded into the semifinals
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Lower seeds play in the quarterfinals
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Quarters and Semifinals are Bo3
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Grand Finals are Bo5
Schedule
The tournament will span two weeks, concluding in Porto on September 6. The complete overall tournament schedule is as follows:
| Group Stage (August 26 - August 31) | |
| Wednesday, August 26 | Group A UB Quarterfinals |
| Thursday, August 27 | Group B UB Quarterfinals |
| Friday, August 28 | Group A Lower Group A UB Semifinals |
| Saturday, August 29 | Group B Lower Group B UB Semifinals |
| Sunday, August 30 | Group A LB Semifinals Group B LB Semifinals |
| Monday, August 31 | Group A UB Finals Group A LB Finals Group B UB Finals Group B LB Finals |
| Playoffs (September 4 - September 6) | |
| Friday, September 4 | Quarterfinals |
| Saturday, September 5 | Semifinals |
| Sunday, September 6 | Grand Finals |
For a detailed look at the individual fixtures and localised times, check out the Strafe match page and filter for the tournament you are looking for.
What to Expect from BLAST Open Fall 2026?
With jL replacing mezii for Team Vitality at the BLAST Open Fall 2026, there is only one question on everyone’s mind: Is the Team Vitality era officially over?
While there is no doubt that this Vitality team is one of the greatest rosters in CS esports history, multiple challengers have risen to answer them.
First, Falcons denied them a Major three-peat at Cologne. Then, they failed to make it past the opening stage of BLAST Bounty Summer Open Qualifiers. And now, Spirit took them down for the first time since 2024.
Additionally, apEX will miss PGL Masters Bucharest, and the team will skip IEM Beijing altogether. This gives them fewer tournaments to straighten out their game plan before the Singapore Major. It also allows the competition level to rise and make Vitality’s life extremely difficult on the server.
Aside from Vitality, the competition is heating up immensely. Legacy and FURIA runs at the EWC have reinvigorated Brazilian hopes. While Falcons have looked shaky, they have the pieces and karrigan to recover. Xfloud is settling in amazingly with FUT. G2 did not go on an insane run but did well enough to earn another chance to show what they are capable of.
All in all, BLAST Open Fall will set the tone for the rest of the year!!!
Where to Watch?
BLAST will broadcast the tournament on Twitch/YouTube starting August 26, 11:00 am CEST.
You can also follow the games on Strafe.
Don't forget to follow Strafe Esports for the latest news about your favorite esports and to check out our X account for the most recent content and coverage.
Also, stay tuned to the Strafe YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and much more.
Featured Image Credits: BLAST
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