PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 Viewer Guide: Schedule, Format and Prize Pool

Starting October 26, CS fans will once again get to enjoy thrilling matches. This time, it’s PGL Masters Bucharest 2025, which will bring together 16 teams from different countries competing for the championship title and a $200,000 prize pool. In this article, we’ll look at the current form of the teams and their chances of victory.

Format, Dates, and Teams at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025

PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 will take place from October 26 to November 1 in Romania’s capital, Bucharest. The tournament will feature 16 teams competing in a Swiss system format. Rounds 2–5 will be seeded using the Buchholz system and initial seeding. All matches will be played in Bo3 format. The top 8 teams will advance to the playoffs, where all matches except the grand final will also be Bo3.

Aurora Gaming

The Turkish squad has shown average results this season. Despite the strong individual form of players like XANTARES, Wicadia, and woxic, their performance is often not enough to secure wins in key matches. Recently, Aurora participated in Thunderpick World Championship 2025, finishing 4th after losing 1–2 to The MongolZ.

3DMAX

The French roster delivered an impressive performance at CS Asia Championships 2025, reaching the grand final. There, they faced Legacy in a tense best-of-five series, eventually falling 2–3. Despite their previous inconsistency, 3DMAX proved they can challenge even top-tier teams.

Astralis

The Danish team is not in its best form. Their most notable results came at PGL Astana 2025 and FISSURE Playground #1, where Astralis placed 2nd. However, at ESL Pro League Season 22, they finished only 15–16th. The return of Magisk has yet to provide the expected boost, though it’s possible the team simply needs more time to regain synergy.

HEROIC

The team has struggled to achieve strong results this season. At ESL Pro League Season 22, HEROIC placed 20–22nd, while at CS Asia Championships 2025, they reached the playoffs but were eliminated by Team Liquid 0–2, finishing 4th.

GamerLegion

GamerLegion has had a packed schedule but few results to show for it. They placed 15–16th at ESL Pro League Season 22, despite a strong start in the opening stage, and 13–16th at CS Asia Championships 2025, losing 1–2 to Lynn Vision. The team needs a more aggressive playstyle, as recent defeats to weaker opponents suggest they are still searching for a consistent identity.

paiN Gaming

The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 quarterfinalists — and one of the event’s biggest surprises — have struggled to maintain momentum since their impressive Major run. After finishing 4th at the Major, they couldn’t replicate that success at smaller events. At CS Asia Championships 2025, paiN placed 9–12th, losing 0–2 to FUT. To reach similar heights again, paiN will need both composure and determination.

Legacy

Legacy made headlines at the summer Major by defeating Vitality on Inferno in a Bo1 upset. While they didn’t go all the way, that victory gave them confidence. This season, they became champions of the CS Asia Championships 2025, earning their first major trophy worth $150,000. If they can maintain that momentum, Legacy has every chance to compete for the PGL Masters Bucharest title.

BetBoom

The Russian team has had a busy schedule competing in tier-2 tournaments, delivering mostly average results. However, they recently won Exort The Proving Grounds Season 5, earning $40,600. PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 represents an opportunity for BetBoom to return to the big stage and prove their potential.

fnatic

fnatic’s season has been relatively modest. They picked up wins at DraculaN #1 and Frag Blocktober 2025, but finished 5–6th at CS Asia Championships 2025, losing 1–2 to 3DMAX. With most of their appearances being tier-2 events, Bucharest is a chance for fnatic to prove they can still compete on a top level.

SAW

The Portuguese lineup hasn’t claimed any big trophies this season but managed a respectable 3–4th place at FISSURE Playground #1, where stronger teams were also present. PGL Masters Bucharest is a great opportunity for SAW to make their mark on a major stage.

B8

The Ukrainian team has delivered decent performances this season. At StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025, they reached the playoffs but fell 0–2 to NiP. At ESL Pro League Season 22, they placed 17–19th, and 13–16th at CS Asia Championships 2025. Despite mixed results, B8 continues to play confidently and can be dangerous for any opponent — even as underdogs.

NiP

NiP have also struggled to find consistency. Although they reached the final of StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025 — where they lost 0–2 to NAVI — the team has yet to secure a major title in recent months. This tournament could become a turning point for them.

FlyQuest

A young roster still finding its footing, FlyQuest has yet to win a title but continues to gain valuable experience in tier-2 events. PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 could be the stage where they finally pull off an upset.

Gentle Mates

Founded in 2023 and entering the CS scene in August 2025, Gentle Mates already made an impression at ESL Pro League Season 22. While they didn’t achieve a breakout result, the team showed promise and readiness to challenge strong opponents.

Team Liquid

Since the start of 2025, Team Liquid have struggled for form, often failing to reach playoffs. Their loss to VP.prodigy at RES Showdown Fall 2025 raised questions about their competitiveness. However, recent improvements — including 3–4th at FISSURE Playground #2 and 3rd at both Birch Cup 2025 and CS Asia Championships 2025 — suggest the team is getting back on track.

MIBR

The Brazilian team has long been absent from top-tier contention. This season has been average overall, with wins at smaller events like FERJEE Rush 2025 and Circuit X South America Season 1. At CS Asia Championships 2025, MIBR placed 9–12th, showing they still struggle even against mid-level opposition.

Favorites, Underdogs, and Dark Horses at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025

Heading into the event, the main favorites are Aurora Gaming, Legacy, and 3DMAX. The Turkish side has a balanced roster with star players capable of winning any matchup. Legacy arrives full of confidence after their recent championship run at the CS Asia Championships 2025, while 3DMAX proved they can go toe-to-toe with elite teams after reaching the grand final of that same tournament. These three teams look the most ready to battle for the title in Bucharest.

Potential dark horses include Astralis, B8, and Gentle Mates. The Danes are still rebuilding, but the experience of Magisk and his teammates could make the difference in key games. B8 has been performing well at top-tier events and could pull off an upset against stronger teams, while Gentle Mates — despite being new to the scene — have already shown they can challenge established names. On the other hand, BetBoom, FlyQuest, and MIBR currently appear weaker than their competition and are the main underdogs of the tournament.

Where to Watch PGL Masters Bucharest 2025

All matches will be streamed on the official PGL Twitch and YouTube channels. You can also follow live scores and results on our website.

Starting October 26, we’ll dive together into an exciting week of Counter-Strike action! Sixteen teams, one trophy, and countless unforgettable moments await. Don’t miss a single round of PGL Masters Bucharest 2025!