BLAST announced the list of invited teams for BLAST Open Lisbon 2025

BLAST has officially announced the 12 invited teams that will take part in BLAST Open Lisbon 2025. The tournament starts on March 19 and will last until March 30, with a total prize pool of $400,000.

Tournament format
The competition will start with the group stage in the Double-Elimination (GSL) format, which will take place from March 19 to 24 at BLAST Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark. The playoffs will take place from March 28 to 30 at the renowned MEO Arena in Lisbon, Portugal , and will feature a single elimination bracket for six teams.

List of invited teams
The 12 invited teams were selected based on Valve's global rankings as of February 3. Among the participants:

Natus Vincere
G2 Esports
FaZe Clan
Team Vitality
Team Liquid
Virtus.pro
Eternal Fire
FURIA Esports
The MongolZ
Team Spirit
Mouz
Falcons Esports

None of the teams declined the invitation, so the tournament will bring together the strongest teams in the world.

Qualifications
In addition to the invited teams, four more teams will join the tournament through BLAST Rising regional qualifiers:

Europe
North America
South America
Asia
This will allow young teams to compete with the best in the international arena.

Format and prize pool
The tournament will consist of two stages:

Group stage (Copenhagen):

1.Two GSL groups with eight teams in each.

2.The top three teams from each group will advance to the playoffs:.

The group winners go straight to the semifinals.
The second-place teams advance to the quarterfinals with high seeding.
The third-place team goes to the low-seeded quarterfinals.
Playoffs (Lisbon):.

Single elimination bracket.
Quarterfinals and semifinals in Bo3 format, grand final in Bo5 format.
The $400,000 prize pool will be distributed as follows:

1st place: $150,000
2nd place: $60,000
3-4 places: $40,000
5-6 places: $20,000
7-8 places: $10,000
9-12 places: $7,500
13-16 places: $5,000

Expectations.
BLAST Open Lisbon 2025 promises to be one of the most exciting tournaments of the year, as the world's leading teams are taking part. Fans are eagerly waiting to see whether the favorites like NAVI, FaZe, and Vitality will be able to confirm their status or whether young talents will surprise everyone.