Rotterdam Ready: Your Complete BLAST Open 2026 Preview

  • What: BLAST Open Rotterdam
  • Date: Wednesday, March 18th-23rd, 2026
  • Location: Ahoy Arena, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • How to Watch: Twitch

Counter-Strike 2’s biggest teams are heading to Rotterdam this month. The BLAST Premier Open Rotterdam takes over the iconic Ahoy Arena. Sixteen teams compete for a share of $1.1 million USD in total prize money and team payments. Twelve teams received direct invites via the Valve Regional Standings, with four more qualifying through regional Rising tournaments.

The two groups are filled with talented teams: Group A features FURIA, Falcons, Natus Vincere, Aurora, FaZe, B8, NRG, and TYLOO. Group B includes Vitality, PARIVISION, Spriti, MOUZ, The MongolZ, Liquid, Ninjas in Pyjamas, and 9z.

Watch out for the MongolZ as a genuine dark horse. They have shown the firepower to upset any team on a given day. NRG, fresh from their qualifier run, could also surprise a few established names.

Notably, G2 narrowly missed out on a direct invite after finishing 13th in the February VRS Standings. Their absence leaves the field slightly more open at the top.

Oddsmakers have priced Team Vitality as the favorite at +150 odds to win the tournament outright. They are one of the top Counter-Strike teams in the world. MOUZ is priced at +1400 due to a string of runner-up finishes.

Before we dive into the betting picks for the BLAST Open Rotterdam, check out our guide to the best esports betting sites and the best sports betting apps and mobile options. 

BLAST Open Rotterdam Odds

WinnerBetOnline Sportsbook & Casino Review 2026BetUS Sportsbook Review 2026Bovada Sportsbook Review 2026
Team Vitality+150+150+150
FURIA Esports+400+400+400
Team Spirit+450+450+450
Team Falcons+750+750+750
Parivision+1000+1000+1000
MOUZ+1400+1400+1400
Aurora Gaming+2000+2000+2000
Natus Vincere+2000+2000+2000
FaZe Clan+2400+2400+2400
Team Liquid+3300+3300+3300
The MongolZ+3300+3300+3300
B8+5000+5000+5000
NRG+7000+7000+7000
Ninjas In Pyjamas+10000+10000+10000
TYLOO+15000+15000+15000
9z+15000+15000+15000

Team Vitality

Team Vitality currently sits ranked first out of 343 teams worldwide. Their current lineup features apEX, ropz, ZywOo, flameZ, and mezii. The team ran an extraordinary 30-match winning streak from February to May 2025. They have one of the top rosters in CS2 history.

ZywOo remains the heartbeat of everything Vitality does. He recently became the first CS player to reach 30 MVP awards. He was named MVP at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 just weeks ago, as Vitality claimed the title there. They also won IEM Krakow 2026 and the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025.

Their only vulnerability may be complacency. FURIA and The MongolZ both have the individual talent ot punish any lapse. But if Vitality plays to their ceiling, they are the team to beat.

I would pass on them at +150 in this tournament; that price will be better later.

Team VitalityTO WIN 2026 BLAST Open Rotterdam
★★★★★
+150
Bet now

FURIA Esports

FURIA’s rolling into Rotterdam and a hot streak. They currently rank second in global team rankings, trailing only Vitality. They have won titles at IEM Chengdu 2025, Thunderpick World Championship 2025, and BLAST Rivals Fall 2025. Their roster features FalleN, yuurih, YEKINDAR, KSCERATO, and molodoy.

In addition to those titles, they also reached the final at IEM Krakow 2026, finishing as runners-up to Vitality. They’ve won seven of their last ten matches. If FalleN’s leadership clicks and molodoy delivers on the big stage, FURIA could be lifting the trophy in Rotterdam.

I think FURIA is the squad most capable of stopping Vitality’s run, and I’d bet them at +400.

FURIA EsportsTO WIN 2026 BLAST Open Rotterdam
★★★★★
+400
Bet now

MOUZ

MOUZ arrive in Rotterdam with a point to prove. Their current roster features Brollan, Spinx, torzsi, Jimpphat, and xertioN. It is a young, aggressive lineup with tons of individual talent.

Their most significant recent achievement was winning PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, earning $400,000. That title proved MOUZ can close out tournaments. That said, a string of near-misses followed, including runner-up finishes at IEM Cologne 2025 and IEM Dallas 2025. The so-called silver curse has followed them into 2026.

Brollan took over as captain and adapted well, leading the team to that Cluj-Napoca title despite limited IGL experience. His leadership will be tested again on the Rotterdam stage. Spinx, who joined from Vitality, brings big-stage experience and an aggressive style, significantly improving the roster.

MOUZ ended Vitality’s lengthy winning streak at IEM Cologne 2025, demonstrating they are capable of toppling the very best. Rotterdam represents another chance to shake off the runner-up tag and claim a marquee title.

This is my favorite dark horse at the tournament. At +1400, you’re getting tremendous value.

MOUZTO WIN 2026 BLAST Open Rotterdam
★★★★★
+1400
Bet now

The MongolZ

The MongolZ are the most compelling story in Counter-Strike right now. They became the first Asian team to reach number one in both the HLTV World Rankings and the Valve Regional Standings. Their current lineup of bLitz, Techno4K, mzinho, 910, and cobrazera sits seventh in global rankings.

The Mongolz signed cobrazera to replace Senzu after a turbulent second half of 2025, and the new roster chemistry is still being tested. Their 2025 resume includes winning the Esports World Cup and reaching the BLAST Austin Major final, becoming the first Asian team to do so.

They’re an inconsistent squad, but when they click, they are capable of upsetting any team in this field. At +3300, this is a fun lotto ticket worth buying.

The MongolZTO WIN 2026 BLAST Open Rotterdam
★★★★★
+3300
Bet now

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Tony Reyes

Tony is a pro sports journalist who dedicates most of his free time to watching the latest matches and games on TV. When he's not participating in sports-related activities or seeing his friends, Tony enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and basketball. In addition to being a sports expert, Tony has extensive knowledge of finances and accou...

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