PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 Review – Vitality Stay on Top

PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 became another major event in the CS2 calendar. The tournament brought together strong teams, delivered several intense matches, and was not without its surprises. However, the final ended with an expected result — Vitality claimed the championship title and once again confirmed their status as the strongest team in CS2. In this article, we take a look at how the events unfolded at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026, as well as the biggest surprises and disappointments of the tournament.

PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 – Group Stage: The Fight for Playoffs

All group stage matches at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 were played in a Swiss format — teams were eliminated after three losses, while three wins were required to secure a playoff spot. This format traditionally leaves room for error but quickly eliminates those unable to maintain consistent performances.

The tournament started without major upsets. In the opening matches, the favorites confirmed their status and confidently began their path toward 3-0 or 3-1 finishes. At the same time, for some teams, the event ended very quickly.

The first teams to exit PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 were 3DMAX and paiN, both finishing with a 0-3 record. 3DMAX fell to Falcons, HEROIC, and Astralis, while paiN failed to challenge The MongolZ, Aurora, and G2.

Vitality and Falcons posted perfect 3-0 records — both teams advanced undefeated and were the first to secure playoff spots.

The most intense battles unfolded in the 2-2 bracket matches, where each series decided a team’s fate in the tournament. In the decisive matches, PARIVISION, Aurora, and NAVI claimed victories, using their last chance to advance to the next stage.

Teams eliminated with a 1-3 record:

• FaZe Clan
• B8
• HEROIC

Teams eliminated with a 2-3 record:

• Astralis
• FUT
• G2

Teams that advanced to the PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 playoffs:

• Vitality
• Falcons
• MOUZ
• The MongolZ
• FURIA
• Aurora
• PARIVISION
• NAVI

One of the biggest disappointments of the group stage was FaZe Clan’s performance. After finishing second at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, the team was considered a contender for a deep run. However, in Cluj-Napoca they managed to secure only one victory — against HEROIC — and finished the tournament with a 1-3 record.

PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 – Playoffs: The Road to the Trophy

Eight teams survived the group stage and advanced to the playoffs. The quarterfinals delivered several surprising results. PARIVISION defeated Falcons 2-1, while The MongolZ secured a victory on the deciding third map against FURIA.

NAVI showed resistance only on the first map in their match against MOUZ but then almost without a fight conceded Inferno and Mirage, finishing their run in 5th–8th place.

The semifinals also brought surprises for Counter-Strike fans. PARIVISION confidently defeated MOUZ 2-0 to reach the grand final. The second semifinal ended with an expected 2-0 victory for Vitality over The MongolZ.

In the grand final of PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026, PARIVISION faced Vitality, where the French squad confidently secured another title with a dominant 3-0 win.

The Biggest Surprises and Disappointments of Cluj-Napoca

Among the biggest surprises of the tournament was The MongolZ’s performance. Before the event, more modest expectations surrounded the team, yet they managed to challenge top contenders and reach the semifinals. Special mention goes to newcomer cobra. Across 19 maps played, he posted a 1.07 rating, which is impressive considering the level of competition. For a young player, it was a confident debut on the big stage.

Another pleasant surprise was PARIVISION. The team was not considered one of the main favorites, but throughout the tournament they demonstrated mature and disciplined gameplay. Their playoff victories — especially the convincing semifinal performance — allowed them to sensationally reach the grand final and compete for the title.

Among the disappointments, FaZe Clan stand out first. After reaching the Major playoffs in Budapest, the team was viewed as a contender for another deep run in Cluj-Napoca. Instead, their campaign ended in the group stage with just one win and a 1-3 record.

NAVI also failed to meet expectations. The team, which had reached the Major playoffs, was eliminated in the quarterfinals in Cluj-Napoca after losing to MOUZ. Despite a strong start to the series, NAVI failed to maintain momentum and exited the tournament without a fight for medals.

MOUZ should also be mentioned. The team once again reached the playoffs but failed to take the final step toward the grand final. The semifinal loss extended an unfortunate trend — consistent high-level performances without reaching the decisive title match.

What’s Next After PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026?

Following their victory at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026, Vitality continue to dominate the scene. In 2026, the team has already won IEM Krakow and Cluj-Napoca, confirming that they remain the strongest roster at the moment.

At the same time, Vitality will not participate in ESL Pro League Season 23, which will take place from March 1 to March 15. This opens the door for a more competitive title race, giving other top teams the opportunity to strengthen their positions.

For lower-ranked teams, the event will serve as a valuable opportunity to prove themselves, earn important points, and challenge the favorites. ESL Pro League Season 23 could significantly impact the balance of power in the first half of the season.