Tournaments

PGL Major Antwerp 2023: Overview

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has come a long way, especially with the effect of the pandemic all over the world, limiting Valve’s and Hidden Part Entertainment’s options to host big tournaments like face-to-face events or even major games.

The CS:GO circuit is full of high-quality competitions, but the Majors continue to stand out. PGL, the same organization that hosted the 2021 Stockholm Major, will run the 17th edition of the legendary Valve-sponsored event.

The first CSGO major of 2023 is rapidly approaching. The PGL Antwerp Major will kick off on May 9th with the Challenger stage, and for the next two weeks, we’ll be able to watch the world’s best CSGO teams compete – and we now know who will be competing in the highly anticipated tournament. More than six months have gone since the Avicii Arena in Stockholm witnessed NAVI’s first significant victory in CS:GO. Now we find ourselves in front of a major in one of the most popular FPS Esport.

To reduce the number of competing teams to 24, 52 teams competed in the Regional Major Rankings games. Between the 9th and the 12th of May, 16 teams will compete in the Challenger Stage, with the top eight teams progressing to the Legends Stage, where the remaining 16 teams will compete for a seat in the Champions Stage and a chance to play in front of a crowd of over 10,000 in Antwerp’s Sportpaleis.

PGL Major Antwerp may 2023

What You Need to Know More About PGL Major Antwerp 2023

PGL Major Antwerp is one of the anticipated events for Esports players, especially for CS:GO players, enthusiasts, panels, and talents, because it’s the first major after about two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming major:

Format

The Challengers Stage: May 9 – 12, 2023

  • Swiss System Format for 16 Teams
  • Bo3 matches are used for elimination and advancement
  • All other games are in Best-of-one
  • Matches are seeded using the Buchholz system and initial seeds
  • The Legends Stage is reserved for the top eight teams
  • Teams in the bottom eight are eliminated

The Legends Stage: May 14 – 17, 2023

  • Swiss System Format for 16 Teams
  • Bo3 matches are used for elimination and advancement
  • All other games are in best-of-one
  • Matches are seeded using the Buchholz system and initial seeds
  • The top eight teams advance to the Champions Stage
  • Teams in the bottom eight are eliminated

The Champions Stage: May 19 – 22, 2023

  • Bracket with a single elimination
  • The Legends Stage final rankings were used to seed the players
  • All games are best-of-three

Prize Pool and Tournament Circuit Points

PlaceUSD DistributionTeamPro TourBlast Premier
1st Place500,000 USDTBA1800 ptsWorld Final + 400 pts
2nd Place150,000 USDTBA1400 pts2000 pts
3rd Place70,000 USDTBA1100 pts1250 pts
4th Place35,000 USDTBA1100 pts375 pts
5th – 8th8,750 USDTBA700 pts
9th – 11th8,750 USDTBA330 pts
12th – 14thTBA200 pts
15th – 16thTBA105 pts
17th – 19thTBA60 pts
20th – 22ndTBA20 pts

Participating Teams

LEGENDS
No.TeamPlayers/RosterQualified From
1.Heroicstavn, cadiaN, TeSeS, refrezh, sjuush, XiztEuropean RMR A
2.Copenhagen Flamesjabbi, nicoodoz, roeJ, HooXi, Zyphon, vorborgEuropean RMR B
3.BIGtabseN, tiziaN, syrsoN, faveN, Krimbo, enkay JEuropean RMR A
4Cloud9nafany, sh1ro, interz, Ax1Le, HObbit, grooveEuropean RMR B
5.Furia Esportsyuurih, arT, KSCERATO, drop, saffee, tacitusAmericas RMR
6.FaZe Clanrain, broky, Twistzz, karrigan, ropz, hanseouloEuropean RMR A
7.Ninjas in PyjamasREZ, Plopski, hampus, es3tag, BrollanEuropean RMR B
8.Natus Vinceres1mple, electroNic, Boombl4, Perfecto, b1t, B1ad3European RMR A
Challengers
No.TeamPlayers/RosterQualified From
9.ENCESnappi, Spinx, dycha, hades, maden, sAwEuropean RMR B
10.G2 EsportsJACKZ, huNter-, NiKo, m0NESY, Aleksib, XTQZZZEuropean RMR B
11.forZeJerry, KENSI, zorte, Norwi, shalfey, FierceEuropean RMR A
12.AstralisXyp9x, gla1ve, k0nfig, blameF, farlig, traceEuropean RMR B
13.Team VitalityapEX, ZywOo, misutaaa, dupreeh, Magisk, zonicEuropean RMR A
14.MIBRchelo, exit, WOOD7, Tuurtle, JOTA, nakAmericas RMR
15.Imperial EsportsFalleN, fer, fnx, boltz, VINI, peacemakerAmericas RMR
16.Bad News EaglesSENER1, gxx-, juanflatroo, sinnopsyy, rigoN, stikle-European RMR B
Contenders
No.TeamPlayers/RosterQualified From
17.Eternal FireXANTARES, woxic, Calyx, imoRR, xfl0ud, bishopEuropean RMR A
18.Team Spiritchopper, magixx, degster, Patsi, s1ren, hallyEuropean RMR B
19.Outsidersbuster, Qikert, Jame, YEKINDAR, FL1T, dastanEuropean RMR A
20.Complexity GamingJT, FaNg, floppy, Grim, junior, T.cAmericas RMR
21.IHC EsportsbLitz, Techno4k, kabal, nin9, sk0R, maaRaaAsia-Pacific RMR
22.RenegadesSico, INS, Hatz, aliStair, Liazz, KingfisherAsia-Pacific RMR
23.Team LiquidEliGE, NAF, oSee, shox, nitr0, adreNAmericas RMR
24.9z Teamdgt, max, rox, Luken, dav1d, zakkAmericas RMR

Challengers Stage

TeamMatchesRoundsRDBUR1R2R3R4R5
ENCE   9z Team    
G2 Esports   Team Liquid    
forZe   Renegades    
Astralis   IHC Esports    
Team Vitality   Complexity Gaming    
MIBR   Outsiders    
Imperial Esports   Team Spirit    
Bad News Eagles   Eternal Fire    
Eternal Fire   Bad News Eagles    
Team Spirit   Imperial Esports    
Outsiders   MIBR    
Complexity Gaming   Team Vitality    
IHC Esports   Astralis    
Renegades   forZe    
Team Liquid   G2 Esports    
9z Team   ENCE    

Broadcast Talent

Stage Host

  • Frankie “Frankie” Ward

Desk Hosts

  • Freya “Freya” Spiers
  • Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere
PGL Major Antwerp 2023

Analysts

  • Jacob “Pimp” Winneche
  • Matthieu “Maniac” Quiquerez
  • Alex “Mauisnake” Ellenberg

Interviewer

  • James Banks

Observers

  • Jake “Jak3y” Elton
  • Efren “encg” Chuong
  • Ryan “ItsRandall” Randall
  • Bastian “UnknownFME” Faber
  • Markus “pinqu” Eliasen
  • Jake “zarx” Karakouzian
  • Marko “shev” Krajčeski

Commentators

  • Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill
  • Alex “Machine” Richardson
  • Harry “JustHarry” Russell
  • Hugo Byron
  • Conner “Scrawny” Girvan
  • Mohan “launders” Govindasamy
  • Vince “Vince” Hill
  • Sudhen “Bleh” Wahengbam

Top 3 Teams to Look Out in PGL Major Antwerp 2023

FaZe Clan

Is a professional esports and entertainment group based in the United States that was created in May 2010. Their team has been outstanding in their previous tournaments, placing first both in ESL Pro League Season 15 against ENCE and Intel Extreme Masters XVI – Katowice with a clean sweep of 3-0 against G2 Esports. With this momentum, they’re looking forward to bagging this major event.

Natus Vincere

Natus Vincere (Latin for “born to win,” and previously Na’Vi) is a professional esports organization based in Ukraine. With their playmaker “s1mple”, the team makes everyone go wild when he clutches needed points to win a match by wiping the opposing team. Also, with their streak of wins in their previous tournaments, they’re likely the crowd’s favorite on winning the PGL Major Antwerp 2023.

FURIA Esports

FURIA Esports was launched in August 2017 as a Brazilian esports organization. The team is based in the United States at the moment and is currently considered the underdog in this tournament that is able to go against popular and high-tier teams. With their recent performance in PGL Major Antwerp 2023: American RMR, the team has the potential to be part of the Legends Stage.

About author

Articles

Daniel Witman is a professional esports journalist who reviews esports events and trends in the industry. Recently, he’d decided to create the blog csgo-bets.org where he could share his passion with the readers interested in the topic.
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