The Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 is shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated Counter-Strike 2 events, drawing elite teams from around the world. This tournament not only showcases the highest level of CS2 gameplay but also brings together fans, analysts, and enthusiasts who eagerly follow the drama and rivalries that define this event. More than fifty teams will compete, starting from the regional qualifiers, to earn their place on this prestigious stage. As the world tunes in, fans can make match predictions for a chance to win from a $25,000 prize pool and unlock a coveted diamond medal on their Skin.Club profile.
With four Regional Major Rankings (RMRs) taking place from November 11 to 24, each regional tournament will select the best teams for the main event. Only 24 teams will make it to the main stage, as more than half the competition will be eliminated before the official start of the major.
The Venue and Audience Capacity for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024
Unlike most Majors, where only the playoffs attract a live audience, the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 will feature spectators throughout the tournament’s Opening, Elimination, and Playoff stages.
- Opening and Elimination Stages: These initial stages will be held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, which can accommodate up to 5,000 spectators. Hosting the opening stages in front of a live audience sets the tone for a high-energy event, with fans able to cheer their teams from the very beginning.
- Playoffs: The final four days of the competition will move to the SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center, a massive indoor arena with a capacity of 13,000 spectators. The shift to this larger venue underscores the importance of the playoff rounds, offering an unforgettable experience for fans as they watch their favorite teams battle for the title in a grand, electrifying setting.
HAI NEWS: Today, we are delighted to announce the two competition venues for the Shanghai Major 2024: The MAJOR OPENING and the MAJOR ELIMINATION will take place at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, while the MAJOR PLAYOFFS will be held at the SPD Bank… pic.twitter.com/q5C7QlJBtF
— CS_PerfectWorld (@CS_PerfectWorld) September 6, 2024
This setup is unprecedented; the last time a Major featured live audiences at all three stages was IEM Rio 2022, while StarLadder Major Berlin 2019 allowed a smaller audience for early stages. Perfect World’s decision to implement a three-stage live audience for China’s first-ever CS2 Major speaks volumes about the event’s significance and the immense growth of Counter-Strike’s popularity in the country.
RMR Shanghai Major 2024 CS2 Schedule and Format
Counter-Strike Majors enforce strict qualification rules: there are no automatic invitations, not even for previous champions or host country teams. Thus, powerhouse teams like Natus Vincere, G2 Esports, Vitality, and Spirit must also pass through the RMR stage. With their high world rankings, they do hold a slight advantage, but they’ll still face the same rigorous tests as all other teams.
The RMR tournaments for the Shanghai Major include several regional competitions:
- APAC RMR: The Asia-Pacific RMR saw an impressive turnout during its qualifiers. With 8,643 teams registered for the China Open Qualifier, only Rare Atom secured the single spot, demonstrating the fierce competition. The APAC RMR will take place offline in China from November 11 to 13, with a double-elimination bracket format. Only the top three teams from this event will advance to the main event in Shanghai.
- American RMR: Taking place from November 12 to 15, this offline tournament in China features 16 teams competing in a Swiss System Format. With a mix of BO3 and BO1 matches, and the Buchholz system applied to later rounds, only two teams will secure their places at the Shanghai Major.
- European RMR: European teams have long dominated the CS2 scene, and the European RMRs draw significant global interest. This year, six consecutive European teams are ranked at the top, underscoring the region’s competitive edge.
- In the first European group, favorites include NAVI, Vitality, MOUZ, and FaZe Clan. If any of these giants fail to advance, it will send shockwaves through the esports community. Other strong contenders are Team Falcons, with s1mple making his return to the professional scene, and the Portuguese squad SAW, known for their recent momentum.
- The second European RMR group features G2 Esports, Team Spirit, and Virtus.pro. Among these teams, Virtus.pro faces high expectations: a failure to qualify for the main stage could potentially lead to a roster shakeup.
Each RMR has been carefully structured to allow only the best teams to rise to the top, and all will face fierce challenges from equally determined competitors.
Key Teams to Watch and Regional Standouts
As the CS2 world converges on Shanghai, the spotlight will be on some of the biggest names in the sport, each with a unique path to this event:
- Natus Vincere: Known for their unmatched synergy and strategic depth, NAVI consistently ranks as a fan favorite, boasting some of the most skilled players in CS2 history.
- G2 Esports: G2’s methodical approach and emphasis on team coordination make them formidable opponents, particularly in high-stakes matches.
- Vitality: Having consistently climbed the global rankings, Vitality now boasts a lineup that rivals the best in the world.
- Spirit: Emerging as a rising powerhouse, Spirit’s skilled roster has made them contenders on the global stage, positioning them as a dark horse at this year’s major.
- In Asia-Pacific, The MongolZ rank as favorites, possessing both the experience and skill to pose a real threat to top European teams. Meanwhile, Australia’s FlyQuest and China’s Lynn Vision and Rare Atom aim to make an impact, backed by significant local support.
The Americas sees heavyweights like Team Liquid, CompLexity, and FURIA leading the pack. As one of the few American teams in the world’s top 10, FURIA will face off against other top Brazilian teams like paiN and MiBR, all hungry to claim their share of CS2 glory.
Main Stage of the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024
The main event, set to take place from November 30 to December 15, will bring together 24 top teams in an intense, multi-week showdown. Each team will have fought through rigorous RMR stages, ensuring that only the most prepared and skilled competitors remain.
This part of the tournament will feature a double-elimination format. The first matches are best-of-one (BO1) to keep things fast-paced and challenging, while later rounds move to best-of-three (BO3), allowing teams to showcase their endurance and adaptability. The final matches will be conducted in a best-of-five (BO5) format, ensuring that the champion is truly deserving of the title.
How to Watch the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024
The Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center will host the opening and elimination stages, with the SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center indoor arena hosting the playoffs. All three stages will have an audience. For those unable to attend in person, all matches will be streamed live on Twitch and YouTube. Additionally, when there are simultaneous matches, additional streams will be available, ensuring fans can follow multiple games in real time. The streaming experience has been designed to provide in-depth analysis and commentary, allowing viewers to gain insights into each match’s strategic decisions.
🎙️ Here’s the talent lineup for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 – English broadcast! 🌠
🌟 We’re excited to watch the world’s top teams in action, with elite commentary and analysis breaking it all down! 🎇
📅 Mark your calendar!
🌏 Asia RMR: November 11-13
🌎 Americas… pic.twitter.com/8XsMRx1MBH— PGL (@pglesports) November 1, 2024
