Blast Bounty 2026 S1 Preview: Top Teams Clash in Malta for Season 1 Glory

Jan 09 - 8:42 PM

Get ready for an explosive start to the 2026 season as the world’s best aimers descend upon Malta for the inaugural Blast Bounty 2026 S1.

The holiday break is over, the strats have been refreshed, and the servers are live. We are looking at one of the most stacked fields in recent memory, with 32 teams converging on the Mediterranean to prove who owns the new year. Whether you are a die-hard fan of the Brazilian playstyle or a believer in the European powerhouses, this tournament promises high-octane Counter-Strike 2 action from day one.

Tournament Overview: The Malta Showdown

The Blast Bounty 2026 S1 is set to take over the BLAST Arena Studios in Attard, Malta. Known for its intense atmosphere and high production value, this venue has become a staple for tier-one CS.

Start Date: January 12, 2026
End Date: January 25, 2026
Location: MFCC South Gate National Stadium, Millennium Stand, Attard, Malta.

This two-week sprint will test the endurance and tactical depth of every squad involved. While the specific prize pool distribution has not been disclosed at the time of writing, the "Bounty" moniker suggests a format where every match—and potentially every map—carries significant weight.

Pro Tip: With a 32-team field, expect the first few days to be a marathon of matches. If you are playing fantasy, keep a close eye on the schedule to ensure your starters aren't sitting out on rest days!

Key Contenders & Stories to Watch

With such a massive list of participants, the competition is going to be cutthroat. Based on the current tournament rankings provided for this event, here is who you need to watch.

1. The Brazilian Powerhouse: FURIA

Coming in as the #1 ranked team for this event, FURIA is looking to silence critics and claim a major trophy. Their aggressive playstyle often catches structured European teams off guard. If their stars are hitting their shots, they could run away with the title early. The pressure is on them to maintain this top-seed status against a field of hungry challengers.

2. The European Titans: Vitality and Spirit

Team Vitality (#2) and Spirit (#4) remain the gold standard for tactical excellence and raw firepower. Vitality’s ability to close out tight rounds makes them a safe bet for a deep run. Meanwhile, Spirit has shown time and again that they can topple giants. The potential semi-final clash between these heavy hitters is the kind of Counter-Strike fans dream about.

3. The "Superteam" Factor: Falcons

Sitting at rank #3, Falcons have a roster built for championships. 2026 is the year they need to convert potential into silverware. All eyes will be on their map pool depth; can they survive a best-of-three series against a chaotic team like NAVI or FaZe?

4. The Dark Horses

Don't sleep on teams like Aurora (#9) or 3DMAX (#14). In a bounty-style or large bracket environment, these teams often thrive on upsets, ruining the brackets of fans who only bet on the top 5.

Participating Teams

The field is set with 32 teams ready to compete. Here is the complete list of challengers confirmed for Malta, ranked by their seeding entering the event:

FURIA
Vitality
Falcons
Spirit
Natus Vincere (NAVI)
FaZe
Aurora
Liquid
3DMAX
Astralis
PARIVISION
HEROIC
paiN
FUT
Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP)
Passion UA
NRG
GamerLegion
BetBoom
Gentle Mates
HOTU
M80
fnatic
EYEBALLERS
9INE
ECSTATIC
Monte
ENCE
SINNERS
Inner Circle
OG
Virtus.pro

Logistics: How to Watch

The action takes place in the Central European Time (CET) zone, which is great news for European viewers and manageable for morning viewers in the Americas.

Stream: Tune into the official BLAST Premier Twitch and YouTube channels.
Venue: BLAST Arena Studios, Attard.

Make sure to follow the official bracket updates, as concurrent matches may require you to squad-stream to catch all the action.

Join the Action

Don't just watch the matches—predict them! Prove your knowledge by building the ultimate roster in our fantasy league.

Join the Blast Bounty 2026 S1 Fantasy League

FAQ

Q: When does Blast Bounty 2026 S1 start? A: The tournament begins on January 12, 2026, and concludes with the Grand Final on January 25, 2026.

Q: Where is the tournament being held? A: The event is hosted at the BLAST Arena Studios in Attard, Malta.

Q: Which teams are the favorites to win? A: Based on current seeding, FURIA, Vitality, and Falcons are the top three favorites, though NAVI and Spirit are also strong contenders.

Q: How can I play fantasy CS2 for this event? A: You can draft your team and compete against friends by visiting the Blast Bounty 2026 S1 Fantasy page.

Key Takeaways

Dates: Jan 12 – Jan 25, 2026.
Venue: BLAST Arena Studios, Malta.
Field: 32 teams, led by top-seed FURIA.
Action: Two weeks of non-stop Tier-1 CS2.
Engagement: Set your Fantasy Roster now!