Preview: PGL Astana 2025

While some of the biggest names are sitting this one out, PGL Astana is still shaping up to be a highly competitive and entertaining tournament.

With a massive $1.25 million prize pool on the line, the Kazakh event will feature a stacked lineup including G2, NAVI, Astralis, and tournament favourites Spirit.

There are plenty of intriguing storylines heading into the action in Astana. Among them:

• Ninjas in Pyjamas will play their first top-tier tournament of 2025
• HooXi is set to make his debut for Astralis after taking over from cadiaN
• FURIA’s new international roster will play their first official event

Below is all the key info you need ahead of the event.

Dates and location

️ May 10–18, 2025
Barys Arena, Astana in Kazakstan
Prize pool: $1,250,000

Attending teams

Format

Group Stage:

• 16 Team Swiss System Format
  • All matches are Bo3
  • Top 8 teams proceed to Playoffs

Playoffs: 

• Single-Elimination bracket
• All matches (excl. Grand Final) are Bo3
• The Grand Final is Bo5

(Source: Liquipedia)

Prize distribution

– $400,000
– $187,500
– $150,000
4th – $87,500
5–8th – $62,500
9–11th – $31,250
12–14th – $18,750
15–16th – $12,500

Broadcast talents

Hosts:

• James “BanKs” Banks (Stage)
• Richard “Richard Lewis” Lewis (Desk)
• Sam “Tech Girl” Wright (Desk)

Analysts

• Dustin “dusT” Mouret
• Alex “Mauisnake” Ellenberg
• Sudhen “Bleh” Wahengbam
• Janko “YNk” Paunović

Casters:

• Harry “JustHarry” Russell
• Anders “Anders” Blume
• Alex “Machine” Richardson
• Jason “moses” O’Toole
• Hugo “Hugo” Byron
• Daniel “ddk” Kapadia
• Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill
• Adam “Dinko” Hawthorne

Bookmakers favorite

Here’s the list of outright winner odds for PGL Astana, according to bet365. The odds are from April 30th.

• Team Spirit – 2.25
• The MongolZ – 4.00
• Natus Vincere – 5.50
• Aurora – 5.50
• G2 Esports – 11.00
• GamerLegion – 14.00
• Virtus.pro – 21.00
• Astralis – 26.00
• FURIA – 41.00
• paiN Gaming – 51.00
• MIBR – 51.00
• Ninjas in Pyjamas – 76.00
• M80 – 101.00
• BIG – 101.00
• ODDIK – 251.00
• HOTU – 501.00

How to watch

PGL on YouTube

PGL on Twitch