All top 12 teams from HLTV’s world rankings are competing after receiving direct invitations, while FURIA and regional underdogs M80, Imperial, and The Huns secured their spots through the BLAST Rising qualifiers. Astralis also made it through the same route. Due to seeding based on an older version of Valve’s rankings, Spirit and back-to-back champions Vitality find themselves in a particularly tough Group A.
The format of the tournament mirrors IEM Katowice and Cologne, featuring two groups of eight teams in a double-elimination bracket. Three teams from each group will move on to the playoffs, with upper bracket winners going straight to the semi-finals, while two more from each group will qualify through the lower bracket. All matches will be best-of-three, except for the grand final, which will be a best-of-five.
The group stage follows a rolling schedule with four matches per day, starting at 16:00 CET. Playoffs will take place from March 28-30, with the grand final set for Sunday at 20:30 CET. Here are the opening matches:
The tournament offers a total prize pool of $400,000, with the winner taking home $150,000 and three Frequent Flyer tokens, while the runner-up secures $60,000 and one token. Prize money decreases from there, with 13th-16th place earning $5,000 each. Unlike ESL and PGL, which use a club-share model to boost their prize pools to $1 million, BLAST sticks to a traditional distribution method. However, teams will still receive participation fees and benefit from the $2.5 million annual Frequent Flyers program.
The broadcast lineup features top-tier talent, including Nathan "NBK-" Schmitt as the desk’s ex-pro alongside Jacob "Pimp" Winneche, Alex "Mauisnake" Ellenberg, and returning YouTuber Donald "voo" Parkhurst. Commentators Alex "Machine" Richardson and Chad "SPUNJ" Burchill will also be on board, bringing their signature energy.
Many users search for guides explaining how to use Rainbet before creating an account or depositing funds. Rainbet is an online crypto gambling and betting platform that may offer casino games, sportsbook betting, live casino features, and esports betting options depending on the user’s location and account access.
Like many online gambling platforms, Rainbet typically requires users to register an account, complete any required verification steps, and deposit supported funds before accessing betting or gaming features. However, platform availability can vary depending on local gambling laws, regional restrictions, and updates to the platform’s Terms and policies.
Users should also understand that gambling involves financial risk and outcomes are never guaranteed. Before using any online betting platform, it is important to review local regulations, read the latest platform Terms, and only participate with money that can afford to be lost.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Online gambling laws vary by country and may change over time. Users should check local regulations and Rainbet’s latest Terms before using the platform. Gambling involves financial risk. Users should only gamble with money they can afford to lose.
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