StarLadder Berlin Major New Challengers matches revealed
With just a few days left until the StarLadder Berlin Major 2019, one of the biggest Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournaments ever held, Valve has announced the matchups for the first stage, the New Challengers, as well as the full tournament schedule.
The StarLadder Major will be starting on August 23 as the second CSGO major of the year. The tournament is beginning with the New Challengers stage, for which 16 teams have qualified. Teams that finish within the top eight of this stage will progress further into the tournament, while the bottom eight squads will be eliminated.
The New Challengers stage will last four days, which is one day shorter than usual as Valve is looking to lessen the impact that majors have on general tournament scheduling. Therefore, two matches will be played at the same time and live-streamed over two separate channels, except on the last day. Based on the assigned ELO system, the matchups for the first stage are as follows:
Team Vitality vs. Syman Gaming
NRG Esports vs. DreamEaters
G2 Esports vs. TYLOO
North vs. INTZ Esports
FURIA Esports vs. HellRaisers
Mousesports vs. ForZe
AVANGAR vs. Complexity Gaming
CR4ZY vs. Grayhound Gaming
Opening matches will be played as best-of-one games, while best-of-three series will be played for elimination and advancement matches later in the stage. The matches will be starting at 11:00 CEST / 2 AM PDT on each of the days except on August 24, when they will begin one hour later. The major will be played using the popular Swiss tournament format.
The top eight teams that progress through the New Challengers stage will go on to clash with the IEM Katowice major’s top eight squads in the New Legends stage. Following the same format, the top eight new legends will proceed to the final stage of the tournament, the New Champions stage, which will be played from September 5.
A total of 24 teams will be fighting their way through the major for a share of the $1,000,000 prize pool at the Mercedes Benz Arena in Berlin.
Read Also
Esports Betting
Here’s the complete Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 schedule
Hannan Mundia
The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 has finally arrived, and here’s the complete schedule for the event to ensure you don’t miss anything. While it isn’t exactly the newest name in the esports scene, the EWC has quickly become a leading event for esports fans worldwide. It brings together professional players and fans from various games, combining them into one long event that everyone can enjoy. 2026’s Esports World Cup ...
Counter-Strike
XSE Pro League 2026 in China: Teams, format and prize pool
Owen Harsono
Counter-Strike is back after the IEM Cologne Major, as the XSE Pro League 2026 is the first notable event since then. 16 teams book flights to China to compete in the million-dollar event. Here’s everything you need to know about the XSE Pro League 2026 event. Top-tier Counter-Strike returns to the passionate grounds of China, as the event will take place in the city of Guangzhou. Teams will play in ...
Esports Betting
Will Valve add Cache in the CS2 Premier Season 5 Active Duty map pool?
Wasif Ahmed
Following the highly anticipated return of Cache to Counter-Strike 2 earlier this season, the competitive community has almost started believing that the legendary industrial map would soon make its way into the Active Duty map pool for Premier Season 5. This expectation followed a pattern set by Train, which Valve brought back late last year before quickly pushing it into the main professional tournament rotation. However, in a recent Twitter ...
Counter-Strike
IEM Cologne Grand Final: Team Falcons vs FURIA best betting predictions
Owen Harsono
Coming into the IEM Cologne Major, nobody would have expected a grand final series between Team Falcons and FURIA, but here we are. Will NiKo finally win his first Major, or will FalleN win another one before retiring at the end of the year? Here are our IEM Cologne Major Grand Final predictions. Tournament: IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage: Grand Final Game: Counter-Strike 2 Format: Best-of-five Betting tip: Team Falcons ...
Counter-Strike
Team Spirit vs Team Falcons IEM Cologne Major: betting predictions and picks
Owen Harsono
We’re in for a treat, as Team Spirit will take on Team Falcons for a spot in the IEM Cologne Major grand final. Will NiKo finally get another shot at winning a Major, or will donk and company prevent him from accomplishing his lifelong goal? Here are our IEM Cologne Major Team Spirit vs Team Falcons predictions. Tournament: IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage: Semi-Final Game: Counter-Strike 2 Format: Best-of-three Betting ...
Counter-Strike
Vitality vs Falcons betting predictions and best picks: IEM Cologne Major 2026
Owen Harsono
We’re treated to a possible grand final matchup here in the quarterfinal of the IEM Cologne Major, with Team Vitality taking on Team Falcons in an elimination match. These are two of the highest-profile teams in the game right now, but only one of them can continue their chase for the trophy. Here are our IEM Cologne Major Team Vitality vs Team Falcons predictions. Tournament: IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage: ...
Counter-Strike
IEM Cologne Major 2026 playoffs preview: matchups & predictions
Owen Harsono
The top eight teams at the IEM Cologne 2026 Major are set. Most of the favorites easily secured their spots, but we also have promising underdogs sneaking into the bracket. To keep you up to speed, here’s everything you need to know about the IEM Cologne Major playoffs. We started with 32 teams and are now only down to eight. After a grueling Stage 3, teams have been seeded into ...
