CS Asia Championships: $1M prize, top teams in Shanghai

The CS Asia Championships run May 20–24 at the Shanghai Yuanshen Gymnasium. Sixteen teams will compete for a $1,000,000 prize pool, with the event opening on May 20. The field includes Falcons, The MongolZ, MOUZ, defending champions Legacy and Ninjas in Pyjamas, who replaced Aurora.

Organizers scheduled the competition to begin with single-map best-of-one opening matches, then move to double-elimination group play in best-of-three series. The group stage will run over three days with live spectators. Each group will advance three teams into the playoffs; group winners will earn direct berths into the semifinals. The playoffs will be single-elimination and the final will be best-of-five.

Opening day matchups include Legacy versus NRG, MOUZ against TYLOO and Falcons facing BC.Game. Previously, we reported that Finn “karrigan” Andersen rated the Falcons’ Astana result 8-9/10 ahead of Shanghai. Other teams in the opening day lineup include paiN, M80, 3DMAX, MIBR, PARIVISION, Liquid, Lynn Vision, B8 and Ninjas in Pyjamas.

The prize pool and club share total $1,000,000. Player shares are: $150,000 for first, $70,000 for second, $60,000 for third, $40,000 for fourth, $20,000 for fifth to sixth, $10,000 for seventh to eighth, $4,000 for ninth to twelfth and $1,000 for thirteenth to sixteenth. Club shares are: $250,000 for first, $100,000 for second, $70,000 for third, $50,000 for fourth, $25,000 for fifth to sixth, $20,000 for seventh to eighth, $6,000 for ninth to twelfth and $4,000 for thirteenth to sixteenth.

A 14-person broadcast team will provide live coverage. Desk hosts include Pala Gilroy and Mac McAleer. Analysts listed are Sudhen ‘Bleh’ Wahengbam, Jacob ‘Pimp’ Winneche, Halvor ‘vENdetta’ Gulestøl and Milan ‘Striker’ Švejda. Casters on site and remotely include Anders Blume, Henry ‘HenryG’ Greer, Neo ‘Ne0kai’ Caine, Harvey ‘Skriv’ Rodgers, Lucy ‘LucyLuce’ Eastwood, Brandon ‘Bdog’ Rawlings, Michael ‘YouM3’ Cassidy and Mamoon ‘TeaTime’ Sabri.

Organizers will run a single fantasy competition tied to the event, offering in-game item prizes such as a Huntsman Knife | Bright Water (Minimal Wear), M4A1-S | Player Two (Minimal Wear), AK-47 | Searing Rage (Factory New), AWP | Hyper Beast (Field-Tested) and Desert Eagle | Mecha Industries. On-site and remote coverage will include interviews, photos, video and social updates. Full match times and the event schedule are available on the tournament page.