The Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 is one of the most eagerly awaited events in Counter-Strike 2’s history. Over the last two weeks, the Regional Major Ranking (RMR) qualifiers have tested their talent, strategy, and resilience. A tough process saw several legends rise and fall, but in the end, 24 teams emerged victorious, earning their spot in Shanghai. With a $1.25 million prize pool and the chance to be known as CS2’s greatest for all time, the stakes are tremendous.
The tournament is divided into three stages—the Opening Stage (November 30 – December 3), the Elimination Stage (December 5 – 8), and the Playoff Stage (December 12 – 15). These 24 teams are competing for the title of world champions in addition to representing their respective regions. Below, we examine each team’s path to the Major and what sets them apart as contenders in this historic tournament. Don’t forget to make your Major match predictions to dive into $20,000 giveaways and snag that coveted diamond medal on your Skin.Club profile!
Teams Qualified for the Elimination Stage
MOUZ (Europe RMR A)
MOUZ secured their place in the Elimination Stage with methodical precision. Convincing victories over Nemiga and Sangal were part of their campaign. Their turning point was when they defeated NAVI, winning Dust II and Inferno handily after losing 13–4 on Mirage. The team is a formidable force thanks to its key players, torzsi and frozen, and tactical adaptability.
Vitality (Europe RMR A)
Vitality entered the Major in commanding form, going undefeated in Europe RMR A. Key victories against GamerLegion, BetBoom, and FaZe showcased their superiority. Their roster, led by the legendary ZywOo, played with unparalleled synergy and precision, boasting the best round differential of the RMR. As defending Major champions, they enter Shanghai as heavy favorites.
Natus Vincere (Europe RMR A)
NAVI entered the RMR as a favorite and showcased their dominance early on. They opened with convincing wins against Fnatic (13-9 on Inferno) and SINNERS (13-5 on Inferno). However, their round-three clash with MOUZ highlighted vulnerabilities as NAVI fell 1-2 in a hard-fought series. Despite the setback, they rallied impressively in round four against SAW, winning on Nuke (13-10) and crushing them on Ancient (13-2).
FaZe Clan (Europe RMR A)
FaZe Clan had a thrilling journey through the RMR, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. They started with a strong win over Cloud9 (13-8 on Ancient) and a tense overtime victory against Team Falcons (16-12 on Nuke). However, a loss to Vitality in round three forced FaZe into a high-stakes fourth round. In the fourth round, FaZe dominated Fnatic, winning on Anubis (13-5) and Ancient (13-8). This set up a dramatic tiebreaker rematch against Cloud9 for the final Elimination Stage spot. FaZe came out swinging, taking Mirage (13-6) in the first map. Though Cloud9 responded with a win on Ancient (13-7), FaZe closed out the series decisively on Inferno (13-6).
G2 Esports (Europe RMR B)
G2 began the RMR with victories over Ninjas in Pyjamas (13-7 on Nuke) and 9Pandas (16-13 in overtime on Dust II). However, their momentum faltered after an upset loss to 3DMAX. Despite the setback, G2 showcased their resilience by defeating Team Spirit in a thrilling three-game series, securing wins on Ancient (13-9) and Nuke (16-14 in overtime).
Heroic (Europe RMR B)
Heroic’s path to qualification was anything but smooth. They kicked off the RMR with a win over Parivision (13-8 on Ancient) but stumbled against BIG in round two. Undeterred, Heroic bounced back with a dominant victory over Ninjas in Pyjamas (13-5 on Anubis). Their decisive match against Passion UA went the full distance. Heroic secured crucial wins on Vertigo (13-7) and Mirage (13-7) to clinch their Elimination Stage spot.
Team Spirit (Europe RMR B)
Team Spirit claimed the seventh and final spot in the Shanghai Major from Europe RMR B in dramatic fashion. They began their run with a sweep of Sashi, taking Mirage 13-8 and Vertigo 13-6, showcasing a combination of methodical strategies and sharp individual play. After NiP defeated 9Pandas in a parallel matchup, Spirit faced NiP in a high-stakes tiebreaker for the final qualification spot. Spirit once again proved their mettle, sweeping NiP with decisive victories on Mirage (13-5) and Vertigo (13-11).
3DMAX (Europe RMR B)
3DMAX emerged as one of the most surprising teams of the RMR, delivering a sensational performance. They started with a narrow win over TSM (13-11 on Vertigo) and followed it up with a double-overtime thriller against Eternal Fire, winning 19-16 on Nuke. Their most impressive achievement came in round three, where they pulled off a remarkable reverse sweep against G2, securing wins on Dust II (13-6) and Ancient (13-11). Their Cinderella story makes them one of the most exciting teams to watch in the Shanghai Major.
Teams Qualified for the Opening Stage
Team Liquid (Americas RMR)
Team Liquid had a rocky start after being upset by Wildcard in the first round. Despite the setback, they showcased their resolve with a crushing 13-2 victory over KRÜ on Ancient. In round three, Liquid dominated BESTIA on Anubis (13-4) to regain momentum. The critical fourth-round matchup against FURIA pushed Liquid to their limits, with both teams trading dominant wins in the first two maps. Liquid’s composure shone in the decider on Inferno, where they secured a 13-7 victory to earn their spot.
FURIA (Americas RMR)
Brazilian powerhouse FURIA relied on experience and skill to qualify for the Major. After defeating BESTIA and M80 in earlier rounds, they faced M80 again in a do-or-die final match. Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo was instrumental, bringing his wealth of Major experience to guide FURIA to back-to-back wins in Anubis (13-8) and Dust II (13-8). FalleN, a CS legend, now holds the fourth-most Major appearances in history, making FURIA a sentimental favorite in this Major.
paiN Gaming (Americas RMR)
paiN Gaming displayed tactical excellence throughout the Americas RMR. They started strong with a 13-9 win over Nouns but faltered against Wildcard in round two. Undeterred, paiN bounced back with a commanding 13-5 win over Imperial on Ancient. Their defining moment came in their elimination match against 9z, where they dominated Mirage (13-11) and Dust II (13-0).
Imperial (Americas RMR)
Imperial, another Brazilian team, showcased grit and resilience in their RMR run. Despite setbacks, João “felps” Vasconcellos and his teammates delivered when it mattered most. Their tactical approach and team cohesion make them a challenging opponent in the Opening Stage.
Complexity (Americas RMR)
Complexity had an impressive start, defeating BESTIA and BOSS on Anubis to establish their presence. However, a loss to MIBR in round three meant they needed to step up in the fourth round. Facing M80, Complexity delivered a confident performance, sweeping the series with wins on Anubis (13-8) and Vertigo (13-9).
Wildcard (Americas RMR)
Wildcard was the revelation of the Americas RMR, storming to the top seed with an unbeaten record. They kicked off their campaign with a stunning 16-12 upset over Liquid on Inferno. Wildcard then defeated paiN on Nuke (13-10) before securing their Major spot with a 2-0 sweep over 9z (16-14 on Nuke and 13-6 on Inferno). Their mix of young talent and fearless playstyle makes them an unpredictable opponent.
MIBR (Americas RMR)
MIBR cruised through the Americas RMR with a flawless run. They secured a 13-5 victory over KRÜ Esports in round one, followed by a 13-9 win over Imperial on Nuke. In their final match, MIBR swept Complexity, demonstrating their tactical depth and cohesion. With players like Jhonatan “JOTA” Willian and Felipe “insani” Yuji in fine form, MIBR is poised to perform well in Shanghai.
FlyQuest (Asia RMR)
FlyQuest’s road to Shanghai was a tale of perseverance. After losing to Talon in the upper bracket, they fought their way through the lower bracket with sweeps over GR Gaming and DRILLAS. Their decider match against Lynn Vision Gaming showcased their composure, as they dominated Nuke (13-2) and Vertigo (13-8) to secure the final Asia-Pacific spot. FlyQuest’s adaptability and resilience will make them a tough contender.
The MongolZ (Asia RMR)
The MongolZ represented Mongolia with pride, starting with a win over Alter Ego on Nuke (13-8). They defeated DRILLAS in a grueling series, bouncing back from a loss in Mirage to crush their opponents on Ancient (13-2) and Anubis (13-5). Known for their aggressive playstyle, The MongolZ have a strong chance to surprise in the Major.
Rare Atom (Asia RMR)
Rare Atom qualified with precision and consistency, sweeping their way through the Asia RMR. Their dominant performances on Anubis (13-4 against GR Gaming) and Vertigo (13-8 against Talon) highlighted their tactical prowess. Rare Atom’s disciplined approach and balanced roster make them a formidable team.
Cloud9 (Europe RMR A)
Cloud9 fought hard in Europe RMR A but narrowly missed the Elimination Stage. They showed flashes of brilliance, defeating strong teams and demonstrating their potential. Players like Boombl4 and Ax1Le are critical to their success, so no one knows how they might surprise the audience at the Major.
Fnatic (Europe RMR A)
Fnatic had to overcome Dynamo Eclot in a dramatic three-map series to qualify. After taking the first map on Ancient (13-4), they clinched their spot with a double-overtime win on Nuke (19-17). With Freddy “KRIMZ” Johansson’s experience leading the way, Fnatic is set to compete fiercely.
GamerLegion (Europe RMR A)
GamerLegion’s resilience stood out in their qualification journey. After two initial losses, they won four straight best-of-three matches, defeating notable teams like UNiTY Esports and SINNERS. Their ability to grind out tough matches makes them a team to watch.
Virtus.pro (Europe RMR B)
Virtus.pro had an intense and character-defining run through the RMRs. The journey started on a sour note with an opening-round loss to Passion UA in a 13-16 overtime thriller on Mirage. In round two, they defeated TSM in a methodical 13-10 victory on Ancient. They maintained their momentum in round three by dispatching 9Pandas, again with a 13-10 scoreline on Ancient. VP’s decider match against Sashi was a nail-biter. While Sashi managed to take a map, VP came out on top, winning Inferno (13-8) and Mirage (13-4) decisively.
BIG (Europe RMR B)
BIG’s campaign in the RMR was a testament to their teamwork and strategic depth. They kicked off their run with a comfortable 13-9 victory over Sashi on Anubis, demonstrating their strong map control. The real test came in round two against Heroic, a perennial contender. BIG secured an impressive 13-8 victory on Ancient, cementing their position as a top team to watch. The most dramatic moment for BIG came in round three against Passion UA. After losing the first map, BIG mounted a stunning comeback to win the series 2-1, with dominant performances on Dust II (13-5) and Mirage (13-9).
Passion UA – Europe RMR B
Passion UA was one of the most surprising teams to qualify for the Elimination Stage, delivering standout performances against formidable opponents. They began their campaign with an upset win over Virtus.pro, defeating them 16-13 in overtime on Mirage. Although they faced a setback in round three against BIG, Passion UA quickly recovered. In the critical fifth round, they faced Astralis, who were missing their star player Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz. Passion UA took full advantage of the situation, sweeping Astralis with victories on Inferno (13-9) and Ancient (13-11).
First-Round Matchups (CET)
- FURIA vs GamerLegion – November 30, 04:00
- Virtus.pro vs MIBR – November 30, 04:00
- Team Liquid vs Cloud9 – November 30, 05:00
- Complexity vs FlyQuest – November 30, 05:00
- BIG vs Passion UA – November 30, 06:00
- Fnatic vs Wildcard – November 30, 06:00
- The MongolZ vs Rare Atom – November 30, 07:00
- paiN Gaming vs Imperial Esports – November 30, 07:00
The Perfect World CS2 Shanghai Major is set to deliver electrifying action as the 24 best teams in the world compete for the ultimate prize. The stage is set for a titanic battle between the dark horses and the seasoned veterans. The stakes are extremely high, as there is a $1.25 million prize pool and the title of champions at stake.
As the tournament unfolds, fans can expect nail-biting moments, jaw-dropping plays, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. Who will rise to claim the lion’s share of the prize pool and etch their name in CS2 history? Only time will tell.
