ESL has announced the initial team list for the upcoming Intel Extreme Masters Beijing 2026. The main event will feature 16 of the top Counter-Strike 2 teams competing for a significant prize pool and points toward the ESL Grand Slam. All current invites are based on the Valve Regional Standings data from August 3, 2026.
Tournament format and prize pool
The tournament is scheduled to take place from November 2 to November 8. The main event will see 16 teams split into two double-elimination groups of eight, with the top three teams from each group advancing to the playoffs. Competitors will fight for a share of the $1,250,000 total winnings. The winning organization will also secure a title in the race for the $1,000,000 ESL Grand Slam.
According to ESL, all participating teams must maintain a majority roster from the original Valve Regional Standings invite date to remain eligible. The final roster submission deadline is set for October 19, 2026.
Spirit and Vitality decline invitations
Two of the highest-ranked teams in the world will not be traveling to China for the event. Team Vitality, currently ranked fifth in the Valve Regional Standings, declined their invitation due to two players taking paternity leave during the tournament period. Parivision, holding the 12th position in the rankings, has been invited in their place.
Team Spirit, the highest-ranked team in the standings, also declined their invite. The organization cited a busy calendar. FaZe Clan, ranked 13th, has accepted the replacement slot.
Initial team list and qualification process
The first 13 teams confirmed for the main event are as follows:
- Team Liquid (North America VRS)
- 9z Globant (South America VRS)
- The MongolZ (Asia VRS)
- Team Falcons (Global VRS)
- MOUZ (Global VRS)
- Natus Vincere (Global VRS)
- Legacy (Global VRS)
- FURIA (Global VRS)
- BetBoom Team (Global VRS)
- G2 Esports (Global VRS)
- Aurora Gaming (Global VRS)
- Parivision (Global VRS replacement)
- FaZe Clan (Global VRS replacement)
The final three slots for the main event will be determined through regional closed qualifiers. These qualifiers will feature 24 teams competing in double-elimination brackets. The global closed qualifier will host 16 teams and award two main event spots to the winner and the second-place team. The Asia closed qualifier will feature eight teams, with the winner securing the final spot in the main event. Closed qualifier participants will be announced once the final team list is locked.
