PGL Calendar Change for 2025: Argentina out, Romania in
PGL calendar has officially changed today, December 10th, as important changes to its short-term tournament locations were made. Among the key announcements are a relocation of some of their 2025 tournaments, the introduction of a brand new playoff format, and a next-level commitment to prize pool payouts.
These updates will definitely help streamline team logistics, enhance viewer experiences, and set new standards for competitive CS2 events.
Key Changes: Relocation of February 2025 Tournament
The PGL CS2 2025 tournament initially scheduled for Buenos Aires, Argentina, has been relocated to Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The event will now take place from February 14 to 23, 2025, with the playoffs hosted in front of a live audience at BT Arena.
Why the Move?
According to PGL’s official statement, the decision to shift the location was driven by the hectic CS2 event schedule. With multiple top-tier tournaments concentrated in Europe before and after PGL's February event, this change minimizes travel strain on teams. Hosting in Cluj-Napoca ensures higher competitive standards by reducing logistical challenges.
2025-2026 Global Schedule
PGL continues to be one of the leader in Tier 1 tournaments, doubling down on iconic cities worldwide, blending top-tier competition with rich cultural experiences. The 2025 schedule includes stops in Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest, Astana, and Belgrade. Perfect World will also organize a Chinese-exclusive event, with PGL acting as its media partner outside China.
2025 Calendar:
- PGL Cluj-Napoca: February 14-23
- PGL Bucharest: April 6-13
- PGL Astana: May 10-18
- PGL Belgrade: October 25-November 2
2026 Calendar:
- PGL Cluj-Napoca: February 11-22
- PGL Bucharest: April 2-12
- PGL Astana: May 7-17
- PGL Belgrade: October 22-November 1
- Two additional locations are expected to be announced soon for August and October 2026.
New Playoff Format
PGL is increasing the heat with a brand new playoff structure, setting what they are calling "a new standard for Tier 1 events".
- Expanded Playoffs: All 2025-2026 tournaments will feature eight teams in the playoffs, a first for Tier 1 CS2 events.
- Third-Place Decider: A dedicated match for third place, with the winner taking home almost double the amount of prize money, aims to add a high-stakes showdown for teams and fans who will be already expecting an amazing Grand Finals.
- Weekend Schedule:
- Friday: Quarterfinals
- Saturday: Semifinals and a Showmatch
- Sunday: Third-Place Decider and Grand Final (Best-of-Five)
Game-Changing Prize Pool Payments
PGL’s decision to pay out prize pools within two weeks of an event’s conclusion offers a practical improvement over the current industry standard, where payments can take as long as 15 months. This change aims to streamline the process, ensuring teams and players receive their winnings in a more timely and efficient manner.
Updated Payout Schedule:
For the Cluj-Napoca 2025 event, the $1.25M prize pool will be distributed as follows:
- 1st Place: $400,000
- 2nd Place: $187,500
- 3rd Place: $150,000
- 4th Place: $87,500
- 5th-8th Place: $62,500 each
- 9th-11th Place: $31,250 each
- 12th-14th Place: $18,750 each
- 15th-16th Place: $12,500 each
Additional Highlights
- Hospitality Support: PGL remains the only organizer providing comprehensive hospitality for teams, including flights, accommodations, meals, and practice facilities for up to eight people per team.
- Enhanced Qualifiers: Starting after Cluj-Napoca 2025, qualifiers will be hosted globally via Esportal, featuring a combination of open and closed brackets to ensure competitive integrity and accessibility.
Esportal is the Matchmaking platform PGL chose to intermediate their online official matches (credits: Esportal)Looking Ahead
PGL’s initiatives for 2025 and 2026 show their ambition to reshape the competitive CS2 scene. By prioritizing logistics, financial transparency, and audience engagement, PGL is setting a high bar for esports tournaments globally. Fans, teams, and industry stakeholders alike can look forward to a transformative era of Counter-Strike competition.
Feature image credits: PGL
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