FISSURE Playground 1, a brand-new top-tier CS2 LAN tournament, has officially revealed the list of 16 invited teams set to compete in Belgrade, Serbia, from July 18 to 20. The event will be the first major LAN after the summer break, featuring a $1,000,000 prize pool. Organizers have announced the full team lineup for the debut edition of the series, featuring a mix of established names and ambitious newcomers eager to prove themselves on the big stage. The absence of elite favorites opens the door to upsets, while the best-of-five grand final format guarantees intense and thrilling CS.
Participating teams
The official list of attendees includes:
- Virtus.pro
- paiN Gaming
- FURIA
- Astralis
- MIBR
- HEROIC
- 3DMAX
- GamerLegion
- Lynn Vision
- Complexity
- TYLOO
- BIG
- Wildcard
- SAW
- BetBoom Team
- Rare Atom
Meet the invited teams for the first-ever FISSURE Playground CS2 💥
🗓 July 18–20
📍 Belgrade, Sava Center (Blue Hall)
💰 $1,000,000 prize poolNot sure how to make this July unforgettable?
Now you are 😎🎟 GET YOUR TICKETS 👉 https://t.co/R4inGUMJYw 👈
🔔 Turn on… pic.twitter.com/9UJn80WKgv
— FISSURE_ENG (@fissure_eng) June 27, 2025
The tournament will take place at the Sava Center (Blue Hall) in central Belgrade. Tickets are already on sale, with the organizers promising a vibrant atmosphere, interactive fan activities, side quests, and special talent shows designed to “level up the whole show.”
Top teams missing in action
Some of the scene’s biggest names — including Vitality, Falcons, Spirit, and FaZe — opted not to attend, missing a key opportunity to earn valuable VRS points ahead of the fall season. Their absence leaves room for less-decorated but motivated squads, including:
- Astralis
- Virtus.pro
- paiN GamingHEROIC
- GamerLegion
- 3DMAX
Notably, GamerLegion and 3DMAX were the only two teams from the VRS top 10 at the time of invite distribution (May 5) that accepted their spots — though both have since dropped in the rankings.
Format and main storyline
FISSURE Playground 1 will be played in a four-group GSL format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to a single-elimination playoff bracket. All matches, including semifinals, will be best-of-three, with a best-of-five grand final.
This structure allows teams time to build momentum in the group stage while still enabling surprise runs and comebacks in the playoffs.
FURIA — the only current top-10 team attending
In the absence of other elite rosters, FURIA stand out as the only team from the current HLTV and VRS top 10 to accept their invitation. This gives the Brazilian squad a golden opportunity to solidify their rankings and gain valuable LAN experience ahead of IEM Cologne.
FURIA ended the spring with a quarter-final finish at BLAST.tv Austin Major, showing signs of resurgence. However, their full roster for Belgrade remains uncertain — especially the status of Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis, who joined the squad on a short-term loan from Liquid. His performances have been impressive, and his presence (or absence) could significantly impact FURIA’s chances at the event.
FISSURE Playground 1 has the potential to be a tournament full of breakthroughs and surprises. With top-tier giants stepping aside, second-tier contenders have a rare shot at a major title and important points that could shape their seeding for the fall. For fans, it’s a chance to witness new stars emerge — and every match could be the start of something big.
