BLAST is known for bringing the top dogs into one pit and let them battle it out for a big cash prize. The tournament organizer has brought the same philosophy over from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to Valorant. The upcoming BLAST Valorant Twitch Invitational, which is part of the Ignition Series, will feature four teams. The only four needed for a huge spectacle to unfold in Europe; G2 Esports, FunPlus Phoenix, Team Liquid, and Ninjas in Pyjamas. These four titans of the European Valorant scene will fight for a share of the grand €50,000 prize pool.

Format and Schedule

BLAST decided to take on a very simple format for a four-team showdown. A double-elimination bracket has been implemented with a best-of-three (BO3) format. The grand final will however, be a massive best-of-five (BO5) show.

The opening matches will see G2 Esports take on NiP, and FPX go up against Team Liquid.

The EU event will also feature a consolidation final. Given that the third place gets €7,500, while the fourth goes home with €5,000, stakes are high not only for prestige, but also for as big of a cash prize as possible. The ultimate loser of this tournament is still guaranteed a €5,000 prize.

Meet Your Titans

G2 Esports

This team needs no introduction. The undisputed, undefeated, champions of Europe’s Valorant, G2’s current roster is presently on an unmatched five tournament win-streak. Criticized by the North American region for lower competitiveness in the European region by comparison, G2 brushes off those comments and just keeps on winning the biggest EU tourneys. Now being exclusively matched up against Europe’s finest, G2 yet again has another chance to keep the naysayers at bay. Can Oscar “mixwell” Cañellas Colocho’s squad add a sixth straight victory to the trophy cabinet?

Team Liquid

With the core of ex-Fish123 quatro paired with one of the world’s best aimers. Adil “ScreaM” Benrlitom, Team Liquid has failed thus far to show their true colors. Their first event, Allied Esports Odyssey, didn’t go as planned, as FunPlus Phoenix knocked them out prematurely in the lower bracket final of the event. Team Liquid were looking forward towards a final against G2 Esports at that point. That did not happen, however. The following event, LVL Clash 2, saw a huge upset unfold, as Adam “ec1s” Eccles’ side failed to leave the group stage after a loss to SKADE. Following those two showings, Team Liquid have a lot to prove this time around at BLAST Valorant Twitch Invitational.

Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP)

Formerly consisting of NiP’s Paladins squad, the Valorant team went through a couple of roster changes to get to where it is now. Their latest change came in the form of the addition of the French trio of Enzo “Fearoth” Mestari, Damien “HyP” Souville, and Charles “CREA” Beauvois, who played for HypHypHyp beforehand. The new NiP team lacked a decisive edge at quarter-finals and semi-finals, as they got knocked out of their last four event appearances at those stages. To solidify their position as one of the top Valorant teams in Europe, NiP needs to at least make it into finals on a regular basis. This event may be the place to do it for this promising roster.

FunPlus Phoenix (FPX)

Dubbed as G2’s closest rival, FPX may be many’s second favorite to win this BLAST Valorant event. With the immensely experienced ex-CSGO pro, Kirill “ANGE1” Karasiow at the steering wheel, G2 has become FPX’s nemesis. The Chinese organisation got its Valorant roster knocked out by G2 at LVL Clash 2 and Allied Esports Odyssey. The interesting medley of two CIS players, paired with a Swedish trio, has so far shown nothing but great potential. This is the time for FPX to finally shine, among the top dogs in one ball pit.

BLAST Valorant Twitch Invitational kicks off September 11, and runs through to September 13. You can watch the Ignition Series event over at BLAST Twitch.

Tune in to Run It Back for a day-by-day recap of BLAST Valorant Twitch Invitational. Also check out our extensive guides and exclusive interviews in the world of Valorant.