Thunderpick World Championship closed qualifier field confirmed

Thunderpick World Championship closed qualifier field confirmed

The 16-team field for the Thunderpick World Championship 2026 Closed Qualifier has been confirmed, with only one team set to advance to the $1 million lan in Malta .

The lineup includes Ninjas in Pyjamas , Heroic , 100 Thieves and several other established European and international organizations.

Sixteen teams compete for one place

The invited field consists of:

• Ninjas in Pyjamas

• Heroic

• 3DMAX

• EYEBALLERS

• Nemesis

• HOTU

• Virtus.pro

• Wildcard

• K27

• 100 Thieves

• BBL

• FOKUS

• Acend

• INFINITE

• 1WIN

• Bestia

Wildcard represent North America, while Bestia are the only South American team in the qualifier.

The remaining 14 participants come from Europe .

NIP enter with new leadership

Ninjas in Pyjamas will compete with recently signed in-game leader Karim "Krimbo" Moussa.

The closed qualifier therefore offers another early test for the new-look roster as NIP continue adjusting after their latest lineup changes.

Heroic and 100 Thieves are among the other notable names chasing qualification.

Only one team advances

The online qualifier will award just a single place at the Thunderpick World Championship 2026.

The other seven positions at the Malta lan will be distributed through direct invitations based on the August 3 Valve Regional Standings.

That makes the qualifier particularly unforgiving, with 16 teams competing for one remaining route into the $1 million event.