PGL Masters Bucharest: Teams, Format, Schedule and Prize Pool Explained
The $1.25 million PGL Masters Bucharest starts October 24 with 16 teams, a Swiss stage and a best-of-five final, and it is the last tier-1 LAN before the Major invite cut-off.
What is at stake
PGL Masters Bucharest brings together a stacked field, and it matters beyond the trophy. According to HLTV, it is the last tier-1 LAN before the Major invite cut-off, so teams still have a final chance to earn VRS points before November 2.
Twelve of the 13 highest-ranked teams in the July 6 VRS accepted invites. The exception was Falcons, who declined a spot. That leaves them with no further chances to earn VRS points before the cut-off for Singapore Major invites.
The teams
The 12 invited teams are Spirit, MOUZ, Vitality, FURIA, FUT, G2, Legacy, Aurora, Natus Vincere, 9z, The MongolZ and BETBOOM. Reigning Bucharest champions Aurora are in the field, and so are FURIA, who recently won a world championship event.
Four regional qualifier winners complete the lineup:
- Europe: Nemiga
- North America: Liquid
- South America: DENDELE
- Asia: TYLOO
There are two roster notes. Álvaro "SunPayus" García will make his debut for FUT after replacing Nikita "cmtry" Samolotov on the AWP. Vitality will again use Justinas "jL" Lekavicius as a stand-in, this time for Dan "apEX" Madesclaire.
Format and schedule
The event uses a best-of-three Swiss stage. Eight teams advance to a single-elimination playoff bracket, and the final is a best-of-five.
Each of the first three days has eight best-of-three series, and there are no days off between the Swiss stage and the playoffs. HLTV lists the opening matchups for October 24 as:
- Aurora vs. The MongolZ (09:00)
- FUT vs. TYLOO (09:00)
- Spirit vs. BETBOOM (12:00)
- MOUZ vs. Liquid (12:00)
- Vitality vs. 9z (15:00)
- Legacy vs. Nemiga (15:00)
- G2 vs. Natus Vincere (18:00)
- FURIA vs. DENDELE (18:00)
The source does not state the time zone for these start times. Check the official event page for the full schedule.
Prize pool
The $1,250,000 is split between a player share and a club share. Each is paid out on the same scale:
- 1st: $225,000
- 2nd: $100,000
- 3rd: $68,750
- 4th: $43,750
- 5th–8th: $25,000
- 9th–11th: $15,625
- 12th–14th: $9,375
- 15th–16th: $6,250
Broadcast talent
A 15-person crew will cover the event. Richard "Richard Lewis" Lewis is the desk host. HLTV's Zvonimir "Professeur" Burazin is among the analysts, and James "BanKs" Banks is an interviewer. Conner "Scrawny" Girvan and Mohan "launders" Govindasamy are one of four casting pairs.
What happens next
The event opens October 24, and because the schedule has no rest days, the playoff field is set quickly. The result also shapes the final VRS picture before the November 2 cut-off for Singapore Major invites. Falcons will watch from the sidelines with no more chances to add points.
Quick answers
When does PGL Masters Bucharest start?
The first matches are on October 24, with eight best-of-three series scheduled that day.
How many teams advance to the playoffs?
Eight of the 16 teams move from the Swiss stage to a single-elimination bracket.
Why is Falcons missing?
HLTV reports that Falcons turned down their invite. They now have no more chances to earn VRS points before the November 2 Major invite cut-off.
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