The Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 is set to deliver an electrifying conclusion to the Counter-Strike 2024 season. From November 30 to December 15, 24 teams will battle for their share of a $1,250,000 prize pool and the ultimate honor of being crowned Major champions. This is the second CS2 Major and the first to close out the competitive season—a change that feels logical and long overdue, now finally implemented by Valve.
The stage is set, and the teams have been seeded after the Regional Major Rankings (RMRs, which also happen to be the last ones for the foreseeable future under Valve’s new Major rules), with the teams that start directly in the Elimination Stage already known. But who stands out as favorites? Who could surprise us all? And what narratives should fans keep an eye on? Let’s dive into the key storylines.
The Favorites: Who’s Poised to Dominate?
I want to shine a spotlight on the powerhouses of the Major—the teams with the pedigree, talent, and momentum to lift the trophy. These are possibly the squads most fans expect to see in the grand finals and the ones I believe can bring the best Counter-Strike to the event.
NAVI: The Kings of 2024
Few teams have dominated the Counter-Strike scene like NAVI has this year. With four major tournament victories, including the first CS2 Major, they’ve proven they’re the team to beat at this final event. Their shocking early exit at the BLAST Premier World Final last month might seem like a blemish on their record, but coach Bl3de views it as motivation for the team to sharpen their game. NAVI is coming into this Major with a mission: to solidify their claim as the best team of 2024 and end the year with a bang.
Aleksib seems ready to kickstart what could be the first era of CS2, and with names like w0nderful and jL at his side (the former having been the MVP of the previous Major), NAVI is a team that no one should sleep on.
G2: A Last Dance for the Ages
G2’s journey to Shanghai carries an air of change. This Major will be the last tournament for this roster, with NiKo and m0NESY set to depart for Falcons after the event, at least according to reports from credible sources. Their manager has also called this run at the Major a “Last Dance” for the team, further confirming changes are coming in 2025. Despite the looming changes, G2 has been in red-hot form, winning back-to-back BLAST Premier stages—Fall Final and World Final (the event where NAVI finished in last place, surprisingly). Their aggressive and dynamic style, driven by malbsMd’s excellent entry fragging and NiKo’s and m0NESY’s capitalization on opponents’ mistakes, makes them a fan favorite and a legitimate contender. If this is truly their “Last Dance,” G2 looks determined to go out in a blaze of glory.
MOUZ: The Consistent Contenders
While not as flashy as some of the other favorites I wrote about previously, MOUZ has quietly built a reputation as a team that can go deep in tournaments. A second-place finish at IEM Rio and consistent playoff appearances make them a strong dark horse among the favorites.
Jimpphat continues to lead the team to greater heights, closely supported by the power of torzsi, which has become one of the most important pieces of this MOUZ puzzle. It also makes me smile knowing that after so much time, Brollan continues to prove that his prowess was not being well harnessed in Fnatic.
They’re my pick for the team most likely to deliver a surprise among the top-tier contenders.
Spirit: A Risky Bet
Spirit comes into this Major with expectations but also doubts. They’ve been solid, but their performances have lacked the consistency needed to compete at this level. Among the favorites, they’re the most likely to falter.
They boast one of the best players in the world, donk, who’s also a fan favorite in 2024. But can he do it all for the team? They were amazing at Katowice, but it’s already been quite a few months. One thing’s for certain, though—if both sh1ro and donk manage to ‘pop off,’ Spirit becomes one of the hardest teams to beat in the world. Add the explosive power of zont1x to that mix, and they become one of the teams with the most firepower in the world.
The Dark Horses: Who Could Steal the Spotlight?
This is a love letter to the underdogs—everyone loves them. These are teams that might not be on everyone’s radar but have the potential to disrupt the ‘established order.’ These squads could pull off upsets and leave a lasting mark on the tournament, and maybe even eliminate some of the top contenders.
Heroic: Tactical Innovators
Heroic might not be the first team that comes to mind when you think of dark horses, but their tactical depth and innovative approach make them a wildcard. They’ve been experimenting with fresh ideas recently, and if they execute them flawlessly, they could take down even the biggest names. While a deep playoff run might be a stretch, Heroic is more than capable of making life difficult for the favorites. Just look at that roster; the experience of playing on stages like this is there!
BIG: Proving Themselves
BIG surprised many by going 3-0 at the RMR, but their victories came against less challenging opponents. This leaves questions about whether they can compete with the Major’s elite teams. Their run in Shanghai will be a test of whether they’re a true dark horse or a team that simply capitalized on favorable matchups.
The German organization has been overdue for a return to the top tier of Counter-Strike for quite some time now, but can this Major be the one to do it? Reaching a quarterfinal would be a win in my book, but the more…the merrier.
The Brazilian Legacy
Brazil has a strong representation in this Major, with FURIA, MIBR, Imperial, and paiN qualifying. Among these, paiN stands out as the most promising. With a core trio of lux, nqz, and biguzera, they’ve shown the ability to compete at a high level. Young talent snow has also delivered clutch performances in critical moments, making him, for me, the player to watch in this team. If he finds the will needed to shine on the biggest stage of his career, paiN can be…well, a pain to other teams.
FlyQuest: The Up-and-Comers
FlyQuest enters the Major with a growing reputation after their victory at ESL Challenger Atlanta. Just look at the teams present at that event, and you’ll understand why it was an unexpected win for the squad from the Land Down Under—SAW, BIG, even BetBoom. All of those should have, according to expectations, placed higher than FlyQuest. But kudos to them; the work and dedication are paying off!
While their chances of making it to the playoffs are slim, their scrappy style and recent improvements suggest they could deliver a memorable performance in the elimination stage. They’re a team to watch if you enjoy unpredictable, high-energy games.
The Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 has all the makings of a legendary event. From the dominant NAVI to the “Last Dance” of G2 and the unpredictable dark horses like Heroic and paiN, this Major offers a little bit of everything for every type of fan. The stakes are sky-high, and the storylines are compelling.
My predictions? NAVI and G2 are the clear favorites, but this is Counter-Strike—where surprises are always around the corner, and every game can change in a moment. As I like to say, the match only ends on 13, and until then, even the hardest of comebacks can appear.
Whatever happens, this Major will be a fitting conclusion to an incredible season. So sit back, cheer for your favorites, and get ready for some unforgettable Counter-Strike action.
