PGL Esports

Esports organizer and production company

SC PGL Esports S.R.L.

Company type| Private
Industry| Esports
Founded| February 25, 2002
Headquarters|

Bucharest

Romania

Area served

| Worldwide

Key people

| Silviu Stroie (CEO)

Number of employees

| 51-200
Website| www.pglesports.com

PGL Esports (simply PGL) is a Romanian esports production company based in Bucharest that produces Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2 tournaments. They are most notable for producing developer-sponsored events such as Counter-Strike Major Championships as well as The International series of events.[1]

## History

[edit]

PGL was founded in Romania in 2002.[2] PGL began hosting Dota 2 tournaments with the Manila Major in 2016.[3] Since then, they have hosted major events including each of The Internationals between 2016 and 2024. Recently, PGL announced events between 2024 and 2026, including their Wallachia series of events.[4]

PGL has hosted multiple Counter-Strike Major Championships, including PGL Major: Krakow 2017 and PGL Major Stockholm 2021, as well as the first Counter-Strike 2 Major, PGL Major Copenhagen 2024.[5] They also produced the English broadcast for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024.[6]

## Dota 2

[edit]

PGL has hosted Dota 2 tournaments since 2016, including Valve-sponsored Majors and The International, as well as their own independent tournament series.

### Notable tournaments

[edit]

Name  | Date  | Location  | Champion  | Runner-up  | Prize pool  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|

The Manila Major 2016 | June 3–12, 2016  | Mall of Asia Arena, Manila | OG Esports | Team Liquid | US$3,000,000 | [7]
The International 2016 | August 2–13, 2016  | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle | Wings Gaming | Digital Chaos | US$20,770,460 | [8]
The Boston Major 2016 | December 3–10, 2016  | Wang Theater, Boston | OG Esports | Ad Finem  | US$3,000,000 | [9]
The Kiev Major 2017 | April 24–30, 2017  | National Palace of Arts, Kyiv | OG Esports | Virtus.pro | [10]
The International 2017 | August 2–12, 2017  | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle | Team Liquid | Newbee | US$24,787,916 | [11]
The Bucharest Major | March 4–11, 2018  | Polyvalent Hall, Bucharest | Virtus.pro | VGJ.Thunder | US$1,000,000 | [12]
Dota 2 Asia Championships 2018 | March 29–April 7, 2018  | Shanghai Oriental Sports Center, Shanghai | Mineski | LGD Gaming | [13]
China Dota2 Supermajor | June 2–10, 2018  | Yuanshen Gymnasium, Shanghai | Team Liquid | Virtus.pro | US$1,500,000 | [14]
The International 2018 | August 15–25, 2018  | Rogers Arena, Vancouver | OG Esports | LGD Gaming | US$25,532,177 | [15]
The Kuala Lumpur Major | November 9–18, 2018  | Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur | Virtus.pro | Team Secret | US$1,000,000 | [16]
The International 2019 | August 15–25, 2019  | Mercedez-Benz Arena, Shanghai | OG Esports | Team Liquid | US$34,330,068 | [17]
ONE Esports Singapore Major 2021[a] | March 27–April 4, 2021  | Fairmont Singapore, Singapore | Invictus Gaming | Evil Geniuses | US$500,000 | [18]
The International 2021 | October 7–17, 2021  | Arena Națională, Bucharest | Team Spirit | LGD Gaming | US$40,018,195 | [19]
PGL Arlington Major 2022 | August 4–14, 2022  | Esports Stadium Arlington, Arlington | Team Spirit | LGD Gaming | US$500,000 | [20]
The International 2022 | October 15–30, 2022  | Singapore[b] | Tundra Esports  | Team Secret | US$18,930,775 | [21]
The International 2023 | October 12–29, 2023  | Seattle[c] | Team Spirit | Gaimin Gladiators  | US$3,380,455 | [22]
PGL Wallachia Season 1 | May 10–19, 2024  | PGL Studio, Bucharest | Team Spirit | Xtreme Gaming  | US$1,000,000 | [23]
The International 2024 | September 4–15, 2024  | Royal Arena, Copenhagen | Team Liquid | Gaimin Gladiators  | US$2,776,566 | [24]
PGL Wallachia Season 2 | October 4–13, 2024  | PGL Studio, Bucharest | HEROIC | Team Falcons | US$1,000,000 | [25]
PGL Wallachia Season 3 | March 8–16, 2025  | Team Liquid | Tundra Esports  | [26]
PGL Wallachia Season 4 | April 19–27, 2025  | Team Liquid | PARIVISION  | [27]
PGL Wallachia Season 5 | November 15–23, 2025  | TBD  | TBD  |

## Counter-Strike

[edit]

PGL has hosted Counter-Strike tournaments beginning in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive with Minor qualifiers for MLG Major Championship: Columbus in 2016. Since then, PGL have hosted several Valve-sponsored Major Championships. Beginning in 2025, after Valve banned tournament organizers from selling tournament spots to teams,[28] PGL announced that it would organize independent non-Major events in 2025 and 2026 for the first time.[29]

PGL also organized the English-language broadcast for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024.[6]

### Notable tournaments

[edit]

Name  | Date  | Location  | Champion  | Runner-up  | Third place  | Prize pool  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

In Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

PGL Major Kraków 2017 | July 16–23, 2017  | Tauron Arena, Kraków | Gambit Esports | Immortals | Astralis
Virtus.pro | US$1,000,000 | [30]
PGL Major Stockholm 2021 | October 26–November 7, 2021  | Stockholm[d] | Natus Vincere | G2 Esports | Gambit Esports
Heroic | US$2,000,000 | [31]
PGL Major Antwerp 2022 | May 9–22, 2022  | Sportpaleis, Antwerp | FaZe Clan | Natus Vincere | Team Spirit
ENCE | US$1,000,000 | [32]

In Counter-Strike 2

PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 | March 17–31, 2024  | Royal Arena, Copenhagen | Natus Vincere | FaZe Clan | Team Vitality
G2 Esports | US$1,250,000 | [33]
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 | February 14–23, 2025  | Bucharest/Cluj-Napoca[e] | MOUZ | Team Falcons | Astralis | [34]
PGL Bucharest 2025 | April 6–13, 2025  | PGL Studio, Bucharest | Team Falcons | G2 Esports | FaZe Clan | US$1,250,000[f] | [35]
PGL Astana 2025 | May 10–18, 2025  | Barys Arena, Astana | Team Spirit | Astralis | Aurora Gaming | [36]
PGL Belgrade 2025 | October 25–November 2, 2025  | Belgrade Arena, Belgrade | TBD  | TBD  | TBD  |
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 | February 11–22, 2026  | BTarena, Cluj-Napoca | US$1,250,000 |
PGL Bucharest 2026 | April 2–12, 2026  | PGL Studio, Bucharest |
PGL Summer 2026 | August 6–16, 2026  | TBA  |
PGL Fall 2026 | October 1–11, 2026  |
PGL Belgrade 2026 | October 22–November 1, 2026  | Belgrade Arena, Belgrade |

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Organized in partnership with ONE Esports.
2. ^ The playoffs weekend was played at Suntec Singapore, and the finals weekend was played at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
3. ^ The playoffs weekend was played at Seattle Convention Center, and the finals weekend was played at the Climate Pledge Arena.
4. ^ The first and second stages were played at the Quality Hotel Globe, and the playoffs were played at the Avicii Arena.
5. ^ The group stage took place at the PGL Studios in Bucharest, and the playoffs took place at the BTarena in Cluj-Napoca.
6. ^ Player share: US$625,000
Organization share: US$625,000

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Sacco, Dominic (December 6, 2016). "Behind the scenes: Who hosts esports events?". British Esports Federation. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
2. ^ Mitrevski, Lydia (April 25, 2018). "PGL appoints Hugh Holland to sell global sponsorship opportunities". Esports Insider. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
3. ^ Fudge, James (March 4, 2024). "PGL Lays Out 2024-2026 Roadmap for Dota 2". The Esports Advocate. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
4. ^ "PGL Announces a Minimum of Eight $1 Million Tournaments from 2024 to 2026. Our first event will occur between May 10 and 19, 2024". press.pglesports.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
5. ^ Daniels, Tom (March 28, 2023). "PGL announces Counter-Strike 2 Major Copenhagen 2024". Esports Insider. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
6. ^ a b "PGL secures English broadcast rights to the Shanghai Major". esports.gg. January 11, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
7. ^ "The Manila Major - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
8. ^ "The International 2016 - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
9. ^ "Boston Major 2016 results". Yahoo Sports. December 11, 2016. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
10. ^ "The Kiev Major - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
11. ^ Gies, Arthur (August 13, 2017). "Here are the winners of Valve's $24 million 2017 International Dota 2 Championships". Polygon. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
12. ^ "The Bucharest Major - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
13. ^ "DAC 2018 - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
14. ^ "China Dota2 Supermajor - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
15. ^ "The International 2018 - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
16. ^ "The Kuala Lumpur Major - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
17. ^ "The International 2019 - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
18. ^ "ONE Esports Singapore Major 2021 - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
19. ^ "The International 2021 - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
20. ^ Michael, Cale (August 15, 2022). "Arlington Dota 2 Major: All scores, standings, and results". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
21. ^ "Dota 2 Esports". www.dota2.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
22. ^ "Dota 2 Esports". www.dota2.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
23. ^ "PGL Wallachia Season 1: Schedule, results, teams, streams | ONE Esports". www.oneesports.gg. May 20, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
24. ^ "Dota 2 Esports". www.dota2.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
25. ^ "PGL Wallachia Season 2 - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
26. ^ "PGL Wallachia Season 3 - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
27. ^ "PGL Wallachia Season 4 - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
28. ^ Stubbs, Mike. "Valve Bans Franchised 'Counter-Strike 2' Tournaments". Forbes. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
29. ^ Šimić, Ivan (December 10, 2024). "PGL shares details for 2025-2026 CS2 esports circuit". Esports Insider. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
30. ^ Ojha, Deepak (July 23, 2017). "Gambit beat Immortals to achieve victory at PGL Major 2017". TalkEsport. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
31. ^ "NAVI win CSGO PGL Major Stockholm 2021". Dexerto. November 24, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
32. ^ "FaZe wins PGL CSGO Major Antwerp 2022: Recap & full results". Dexerto. May 22, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
33. ^ Stubbs, Mike. "NAVI Wins The First 'Counter-Strike 2' Major In Copenhagen". Forbes. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
34. ^ "PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 - schedule, results, prize pool, statistics — Escorenews". escorenews.com. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
35. ^ "PGL Bucharest 2025 - schedule, results, prize". escorenews. April 13, 2025. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
36. ^ "PGL Astana 2025". escorenews. Retrieved May 19, 2025.

* v
* t
* e

Counter-Strike in esports

Games|

* Counter-Strike
* Condition Zero
* Source
* Online
* Global Offensive
* Counter-Strike 2

Tournaments|

* BLAST Premier
* DreamHack
* ELeague
* ESEA League
* ESL
* ESL Pro League
* Intel Extreme Masters
* Esports World Cup
* FACEIT
* International Esports Federation
* PGL

| Majors|

* Jönköping 2013
* Katowice 2014
* Cologne 2014
* Jönköping 2014
* Katowice 2015
* Cologne 2015
* Cluj-Napoca 2015
* Columbus 2016
* Cologne 2016
* Atlanta 2017
* Kraków 2017
* Boston 2018
* London 2018
* Katowice 2019
* Berlin 2019
* Rio 2020 (cancelled)
* Stockholm 2021
* Antwerp 2022
* Rio 2022
* Paris 2023
* Copenhagen 2024
* Shanghai 2024
* Austin 2025
* Budapest 2025

|

Defunct|

* BLAST Pro Series
* Championship Gaming Series
* Cyberathlete Professional League
* Esports World Convention
* World Cyber Games
* World e-Sports Games
* World Electronic Sports Games
* World Series of Video Games
* X Games

Notable teams|

| Europe|

* ALTERNATE aTTaX
* Astralis
* Aurora
* Copenhagen Wolves
* ENCE
* Eternal Fire
* Team Falcons
* FaZe Clan
* Fnatic
* G2 Esports
* GamerLegion
* Heroic
* MOUZ
* Natus Vincere
* Ninjas in Pyjamas
* OG
* Team SoloMid
* Team Spirit
* Team Vitality
* Virtus.pro

|

Americas|

* Complexity
* Furia
* Imperial
* MIBR
* Immortals Gaming Club
* NRG
* paiN
* Team Liquid

Asia/Oceania|

* Deep Cross Gaming
* FlyQuest

Defunct|

* 100 Thieves
* Cloud9
* Counter Logic Gaming
* Dignitas
* Echo Fox
* Epsilon Esports
* Evil Geniuses
* Flipside Tactics
* FunPlus Phoenix
* Gambit Esports
* Gen.G
* Godsent
* LDLC OL
* Luminosity Gaming
* Misfits Gaming
* North
* OpTic Gaming
* Renegades
* Selfless Gaming
* SK Gaming
* Space Soldiers
* Splyce
* Talon Esports
* Team 3D
* Team Envy
* Tempo Storm
* Titan
* Vega Squadron
* Vici Gaming

Notable commentators|

* Anders Blume
* Paul "Redeye" Chaloner
* Eefje "Sjokz" Depoortere
* Sean "sgares" Gares
* Richard Lewis
* Joe Miller

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