NAVI Faces Aurora in ESL Pro League S23 Grand Finals

Natus Vincere is all set to take on Aurora Gaming in the Grand Final showdown at the ESL Pro League Season 23. The finale at the Annexet in Stockholm will see the two European teams battle in a best-of-five series to secure their first title of the 2026 season, a $100,000 cash prize, and valuable VRS (Valve Regional Standings) points. Below, we share our analysis and prediction for who will come out on top.

NAVI - Is A Return to Glory Within Reach?

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Natus Vincere endured a rocky start to the season. Though they currently have a spot in the VRS rankings’ top 10, their performances so far this year have offered fans little reason for optimism, following a 9th-12th place finish at IEM Katowice and a top 8 finish at PGL Cluj-Napoca. But after a string of promising matches in the ESL Pro League, NAVI appears to be on track toward a return to form.

The current NAVI roster is stacked with exceptional talent. The core trio of b1t, iM, and Aleksib has been together for nearly three years, with b1t carrying over valuable experience from the previous NAVI lineup. Their most recent addition, 19-year-old makazze, has slotted in pretty well, adding to the team's firepower; he's also been performing consistently well throughout this tournament.

So far in Pro League Season 23, NAVI has played seven matches, winning five, and has taken 11 maps out of 18. Their two losses came against G2 (1-2) and Legacy (0-2) in Stage 2. The team's victories include wins over Monte, B8, and 3DMAX in Stage 2, followed by playoff wins against The MongolZ and FUT.

Aurora Gaming - Can They Claim Their First Trophy of the Year?

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Aurora Gaming had a respectable start to the season. They reached the playoffs at IEM Katowice, securing a 5th-6th place finish, and followed it up with a top 8 run at PGL Cluj-Napoca, falling to eventual champions Vitality in the quarterfinals. Currently ranked sixth in the VRS standings, Aurora appears to be trending in the right direction as they build toward the Cologne Major. Their strongest performance of the season has come in the ESL Pro League, where they've firmly held their ground so far.

Aurora's all-Turkish lineup features a balanced mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talent. XANTARES, woxic, and MAJ3R each bring over a decade of experience, with MAJ3R having been part of the competitive scene since the early days of Counter-Strike. woxic has long been a reliable AWPer, while XANTARES serves as a lethal entry fragger whom opponents constantly have to account for. Meanwhile, youngsters Wicadia and soulfly contribute ample firepower and flexibility to the roster.

So far in the tournament, Aurora has played six matches, winning five and taking 10 maps out of 15. Their only loss came at the hands of The MongolZ in the previous stage. They opened their campaign with wins over Legacy, paiN, and G2 in Stage 2, then carried that momentum into the playoffs. Aurora went on to defeat Legacy again in a rematch and overcome Astralis in the semifinals to punch their ticket to the Grand Final.

Head-to-head Results

The core lineups of NAVI and Aurora have faced each other a total of 10 times, with six of those encounters occurring when Aurora's players competed under their previous banner, Eternal Fire. NAVI has won 9 of the 10 matchups, taking 19 maps compared to Aurora's 7. The latter's sole victory came at the 2025 Blast Open Lisbon, where they defeated NAVI 2-0 in the Group Stage.

In terms of recent results, the two teams have met only once in 2026, at the PGL Cluj-Napoca Group Stage, with NAVI securing a 2-1 victory. Notably, they have faced off in a best-of-five only once before: at the ESL Pro League Season 20 Grand Finals, where NAVI won 3-2. It's worth mentioning that both teams fielded slightly different rosters at the time, with jL still playing for NAVI and Eternal Fire featuring Calyx in place of soulfly.

NAVI vs Aurora: Who Will Win the Grand Finals?

Past results tilt the odds heavily in NAVI's favor, but Aurora is far from a pushover. In fact, Aurora has had the stronger start to the season and appears to be in better form throughout this tournament, with wins over teams like Astralis, G2, and paiN. Their star players, XANTARES and woxic, are often the difference-makers in high-stakes fixtures, and they'll be expected to shine again against NAVI. Adding to their strength is veteran IGL MAJ3R, who provides a solid tactical foundation.

NAVI, for their part, boasts a formidable lineup featuring players who have spent considerable time together, including multiple Major winners. However, since their decline in 2025, the team has struggled to find its way back to the top. This Grand Final represents more than just a trophy; it's a golden opportunity to reclaim their lost glory.

On paper, NAVI holds a slight edge. But given Aurora's current form and momentum, they may have the upper hand heading into the match and could very well lift the trophy. Honestly, this one feels like a true 50-50. Either team could walk away victorious. But one thing is certain: we have a thrilling matchup on our hands.

Where to Watch NAVI vs Aurora at ESL Pro League S23 Grand Finals

You can tune into ESL’s official Twitch and YouTube handles to watch NAVI take on Aurora at the ESL Pro League Grand Finals. The best-of-five series will kick off at 9 am PDT/5 pm CET on March 15, 2026. You can also follow the tournament on Strafe.

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Featured Image Credit: ESL Counter Strike

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