PGL Major Copenhagen 2024

Counter-Strike 2 tournament
  • Natus Vincere
1st runners-up
  • FaZe Clan
2nd runners-up
  • Team Vitality
  • G2 Esports
MVPJustinas "jL" Lekavicius
← Paris 2023
Shanghai 2024 →

The PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 was the first Counter-Strike 2 Major Championship and twentieth Counter-Strike Major overall.[1] It was held in Copenhagen, Denmark at the Royal Arena from March 17 to 31, 2024. Twenty-four teams qualified from regional qualifiers for the tournament, which involved a prize pool of US$1,250,000.[2] It is the fourth Counter-Strike Major organized by PGL after PGL Major: Kraków 2017, PGL Major Stockholm 2021 and PGL Major Antwerp 2022. Natus Vincere were the tournament's champions, following a 2–1 victory over FaZe Clan.[3]

Background

Counter-Strike 2 is a multiplayer first-person shooter video game developed and published by Valve Corporation. It is the fifth game in the Counter-Strike series. In professional Counter-Strike, the Valve-sponsored Majors are considered the most prestigious tournaments.[4]

The defending Major champions were Team Vitality, who won their first Major championship at Blast Paris Major 2023.[5] They would be eliminated following a semi-final defeat to FaZe Clan.

Talent

On March 13, 2024, PGL announced the full talent lineup for the Major, including the first ever "Newbie" stream, intended to ease in newer viewers unfamiliar with Counter-Strike.[6][7][8][9]

Hosts

Analysts

  • Jacob "Pimp" Winneche
  • Mathieu "Maniac" Quiquerez
  • Sudhen "Bleh" Wahengbam
  • Jason "moses" O'Toole

Casters

  • Anders Blume
  • Henry "HenryG" Greer
  • Chad "SPUNJ" Burchill
  • Alex "Machine" Richardson
  • Harry "JustHarry" Russell
  • Hugo Byron
  • Mohan "launders" Govindasamy
  • Conner "scrawny" Girvan
  • Vince Hill (Newbie stream)
  • Jack "Jacky" Peters (Newbie stream)

Format

On November 4, 2023, it was announced that Valve had renamed the Major's stages from Challengers Stage, Legends Stage and Champions Stage to "Opening Stage", "Elimination Stage" and "Playoffs Stage", respectively.[10]

Like previous Majors using a Swiss-system group stage, twenty-four teams qualified for the tournament. This includes sixteen teams who qualified for the Opening Stage. The top eight teams from the Opening Stage moved on to the Elimination Stage, along with eight teams directly from the Regional Major Ranking (RMR) qualifiers. Finally, the top eight teams from the Elimination Stage played a single-elimination Playoffs Stage to determine a champion.

In the first two stages, all matches except for progression or elimination matches, which are played as bests-of-three, are played in a best-of-one format. All matches in the Playoff Stage are played in a best-of-three format.[11] It is the first Major to be played with Counter-Strike 2's new 12-round halves.

Map pool

  • Ancient
  • Anubis
  • Inferno
  • Mirage
  • Nuke
  • Overpass
  • Vertigo

Teams

Europe

Asia

  • TheMongolz
  • Lynn Vision

Americas

Qualification

Qualification took place through three Regional Major Ranking events, based on teams' geographical regions, events were held in Europe, Americas and Asia. Unlike in previous Majors where teams were seeded according to performance at RMRs, a number of Opening Stage and Elimination Stage places will instead be distributed according to Valve's own regional standings.[13]

Seven teams from Europe and one team from the Americas RMRs who qualified earned direct berths to the Elimination Stage, in accordance with the number of each region's teams that advanced from the Challengers Stage to the Legends Stage of Paris 2023.

The RMR tournaments took place in the following cities:[14]

RMR Results

Region Opening Stage Elimination Stage
Europe A
Europe B
  • Cloud9
  • ENCE
  • Apeks
  • HEROIC
  • ECSTATIC
Americas
Asia
  • TheMongolz
  • Lynn Vision
 —
Last Chance Qualifier —

Source:[11]

Team Seeding

Following the conclusion of the Americas RMRs, Valve updated their regional standings and awarded teams Elimination Stage berths based on their new rankings.

Valve Regional Standings for qualified teams (as of March 4, 2024)[15]
Europe
Standing Team Name Roster Seed
1 FaZe karrigan, rain, frozen, ropz, broky Elimination Stage
2 Spirit chopper, sh1ro, magixx, zont1x, donk
3 Vitality apEX, ZywOo, flameZ, Spinx, mezii
4 MOUZ Brollan, siuhy, torzsi, Jimpphat, xertioN
5 Virtus.pro mir, FL1T, Jame, n0rb3r7, fame
6 Natus Vincere Aleksib, iM, b1t, jL, w0nderful
7 G2 NiKo, huNter-, nexa, HooXi, m0NESY
9 Cloud9 HObbit, electroNic, Boombl4, Ax1Le, Perfecto Opening Stage
10 Eternal Fire MAJ3R, XANTARES, woxic, Calyx, Wicadia
11 ENCE gla1ve, Goofy, dycha, hades, Kylar
12 Apeks STYKO, jkaem, nawwk, sense, CacaNito
13 HEROIC NertZ, TeSeS, nicoodoz, sjuush, kyxsan
14 GamerLegion Snax, acoR, Keoz, isak, volt
19 9Pandas[a] seized, clax, iDISBALANCE, glowiing, d1Ledez —
20 SAW MUTiRiS, roman, story, ewjerkz, arrozdoce Opening Stage
21 ECSTATIC Nodios, Patti, Queenix, kraghen, salazar
23 AMKAL NickelBack, Krad, Forester, TRAVIS, ICY
27 KOI JUST, mopoz, stadodo, dav1g, adamS
Americas
Standing Team Name Roster Seed
1 Complexity EliGE, JT, floppy, hallzerk, Grim Elimination Stage
2 FURIA FalleN, chelo, arT, yuurih, KSCERATO Opening Stage
5 Imperial HEN1, felps, VINI, decenty, noway
7 paiN biguzera, n1ssim, nqz, kauez, lux
9 Legacy coldzera, NEKIZ, dumau, b4rtiN, latto
Asia
Standing Team Name Roster Seed
1 TheMongolz bLitz, Techno, Senzu, mzinho, 910 Opening Stage
2 Lynn Vision Westmelon, z4kr, Starry, Jee, EmiliaQAQ

Opening Stage

On November 4, 2023, it was announced that Valve had renamed the Challengers Stage and Legends Stage of the Major to "Opening Stage" and "Elimination Stage" respectively. Teams would also be seeded into these stages according to their regional standings.[10] Like previous Majors using a Swiss-system bracket, sixteen teams will compete for eight Elimination Stage spots, with all matches besides elimination and progression matches, which are bests-of-three, being bests-of-one.

The Opening Stage was played between March 17 and March 20, 2024.

Pos Team W L RW RL RD BS Qualification
1 HEROIC 3 0 58 40 +18 1 Qualification
to Elimination Stage
2 Cloud9 3 0 58 46 +12 0
3 Eternal Fire 3 1 77 63 +14 5
4 ECSTATIC 3 1 72 57 +15 3
5 paiN 3 1 54 41 +13 -3
6 Imperial 3 2 113 105 +8 0
7 TheMongolz 3 2 102 80 +22 -2
8 FURIA 3 2 100 75 +25 -9
9 SAW 2 3 83 97 -14 2 Eliminated
10 Legacy 2 3 71 79 -8 2
11 GamerLegion 2 3 88 93 -5 -2
12 Lynn Vision 1 3 40 61 -21 7
13 ENCE 1 3 55 73 -18 1
14 Apeks 1 3 45 65 -10 -1
15 AMKAL 0 3 46 63 -17 -2
16 KOI 0 3 31 55 -24 -2
Updated to match(es) played on March 20, 2024. Source: [1]

Elimination Stage

Like the Opening Stage, the Elimination Stage is played in a Swiss-system bracket, with eight teams advancing to a single-elimination Playoffs Stage. The Elimination Stage includes the eight teams that advance from the Opening Stage, as well as the seven highest teams from the Europe RMR and the highest team from the Americas RMR in Valve's regional standings. Matches are played in the same format as in the Opening Stage.

During a 2–2 bracket match between Virtus.pro and G2 Esports, Virtus.pro player Dzhami "Jame" Ali experienced a game crash, after what was later determined to be an NVIDIA driver crash. The event led to G2 reaching map point, and caused a response regarding controversial technical issues with the Major, including from G2 player Nikola "NiKo" Kovač.[16]

The Elimination Stage was played between March 21 and March 24, 2024.

Pos Team W L RW RL RD BS Qualification
1 Spirit 3 0 65 41 +27 1 Qualification
to Playoffs Stage
2 MOUZ 3 0 52 25 +27 -1
3 Eternal Fire 3 1 69 50 +19 5
4 Cloud9 3 1 73 49 +24 3
5 Vitality 3 1 75 70 +5 -4
6 Natus Vincere 3 2 108 119 -11 2
7 G2 3 2 110 90 +20 -3
8 FaZe 3 2 84 74 +10 -6
9 Complexity 2 3 86 117 -31 3 Eliminated
10 Virtus.pro 2 3 91 100 -9 -2
11 paiN 2 3 107 109 -2 -6
12 Imperial 1 3 53 66 -13 5
13 ECSTATIC 1 3 82 93 -11 3
14 HEROIC 1 3 51 68 -17 -2
15 TheMongolz 0 3 61 70 -9 2
16 FURIA 0 3 40 66 -26 0
Updated to match(es) played on March 24, 2024. Source: [2]

Playoffs Stage

The top eight teams from the Elimination Stage will advance to a single-elimination bracket. Each match in the Playoffs Stage is played in a best-of-three format.

On March 29, during a quarter-final match between G2 and MOUZ, spectators rushed the stage and were tackled by event security, damaging the trophy. PGL released a statement following the incident stating that they intended to press charges against the disruptors, who were reportedly involved with a Counter-Strike gambling platform.[17]

The Playoffs Stage was played between March 28 and March 31, 2024.

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
                  
1 Spirit 7 19 14 1
8 FaZe 13 16 16 2
FaZe 13 5 13 2
Vitality 7 13 8 1
5 Vitality 13 13 – 2
4 Cloud9 8 2 – 0
FaZe 9 13 3 1
Natus Vincere 13 2 13 2
3 Eternal Fire 13 9 – 0
6 Natus Vincere 16 13 – 2
Natus Vincere 16 7 13 2
G2 13 13 11 1
7 G2 13 13 – 2
2 MOUZ 9 6 – 0

Final standings

The final placings are shown below. In addition, the prize distribution, seed for the next major, roster, and coaches are shown.

Place Prize Money Team Roster Coach Seed
1st US$500,000 Natus Vincere Aleksib, iM, b1t, jL, w0nderful B1ad3 TBD
2nd US$170,000 FaZe Clan karrigan, rain, frozen, broky, ropz NEO
3rd – 4th US$80,000 G2 Esports NiKo, huNter-, nexa, HooXi, m0NESY TaZ
Team Vitality apEX, ZywOo, flameZ, Spinx, mezii XTQZZZ
5th – 8th US$45,000 MOUZ siuhy, Brollan, torzsi, Jimpphat, xertioN sycrone
Eternal Fire MAJ3R, XANTARES, woxic, Calyx, Wicadia Fabre
Team Spirit chopper, sh1ro, magixx, zont1x, donk hally
Cloud9 HObbit, electroNic, Perfecto, Boombl4, Ax1Le groove
9th – 11th US$20,000 paiN Gaming biguzera, n1ssim, nqz, kauez, lux rikz
Virtus.pro mir, FL1T, Jame, n0rb3r7, fame dastan
Complexity Gaming JT, hallzerk, EliGE, floppy, Grim T.c
12th – 14th HEROIC NertZ, nicoodoz, sjuush, TeSeS, kyxsan sAw
ECSTATIC Nodios, Patti, kraghen, salazar, Queenix casle
Imperial Esports HEN1, felps, VINI, decenty, noway zakk
15th – 16th FURIA Esports arT, FalleN, chelo, yuurih, KSCERATO guerri
TheMongolz bLitz, 910, Techno, Senzu, mzinho maaRaa
17th – 19th US$10,000 SAW MUTiRiS, story, arrozdoce, ewjerkz, roman NABOWOW
GamerLegion isak, Snax, Keoz, acoR, volt ash
Legacy coldzera, NEKIZ, dumau, b4rtiN, latto chucky
20th – 22nd ENCE gla1ve, Goofy, hades, dycha, Kylar kuben
Apeks STYKO, jkaem, nawwk, sense, CacaNito mithR
Lynn Vision Westmelon, EmiliaQAQ, Jee, Starry, z4kr GUM
23rd – 24th Movistar KOI JUST, mopoz, adamS, dav1g, stadodo deLonge
AMKAL ESPORTS NickelBack, ICY, Krad, Forester, TRAVIS svyat

Source:[18][19]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c GamerLegion, who were the runners-up in the Last Chance Qualifier, replaced 9Pandas following reported visa issues.[12]

References

  1. ^ "PGL to run Counter-Strike 2's first Major in Copenhagen". Dexerto. March 28, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  2. ^ "PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 - The first ever Counter-Strike 2 Major will take place next year in Denmark". PGL. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  3. ^ "NAVI Wins The First 'Counter-Strike 2' Major In Copenhagen". Forbes. March 31, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  4. ^ Šimić, Ivan (July 6, 2023). "What are the most popular Counter-Strike esports events?". Esports Insider. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Stubbs, Mike. "Vitality Win The BLAST Paris Major To Become Last Ever CS:GO World Champions". Forbes. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  6. ^ "Unveiling the Voices Behind PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024: The Casters and Observers". PGL. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  7. ^ "Unveiling the Voices Behind PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024: Desk Hosts, Stage Host, and Content". PGL. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "Unveiling the Voices Behind PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024: The Analysts". PGL. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  9. ^ "First CS2 Major in Copenhagen gets newbie stream. Here's how to watch it". escorenews. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Cooke, Hunter (November 4, 2023). "Valve make stealth changes to the CS2 Major format". Dot Esports. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "How to watch PGL Major Copenhagen 2024: Stream, teams & more". Dexerto. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  12. ^ Stubbs, Mike (March 16, 2024). "9Pandas Replaced By GamerLegion At First 'CS2' Major". Forbes. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  13. ^ "PGL Copenhagen Major Europe RMRs: Schedule, results, more". Dot Esports. February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  14. ^ "PGL Regional Major Rankings (RMR) 2024: Unveiling the Battlegrounds - Bucharest, Monterrey and Shanghai". PGL. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  15. ^ "counter-strike/regional_standings at main · ValveSoftware/counter-strike". GitHub. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  16. ^ "Devastating CS2 crash costs Virtus Pro playoffs spot at PGL Copenhagen Major". Dexerto. March 24, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  17. ^ Wilde, Tyler (March 29, 2024). "Spectator rushes stage at CS2 tournament and gets tackled into trophy, smashing it to pieces". PC Gamer. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  18. ^ "PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024". March 31, 2024.
  19. ^ "PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 Opening Stage". March 20, 2024.
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