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The final CS:GO Major ever has begun, and the Challengers stage is now complete. This gives us all 16 teams that will head into the Legends stage, battling for their spot in the Playoffs and a chance at winning the BLAST Paris Major 2023. Here’s the confirmed teams, and some exciting matchups to watch.

Legends Stage Teams

8 Teams had already qualified for the Legends stage through the RMRs:

  • Natus Vincere
  • Fnatic
  • Into the Breach
  • Bad News Eagles
  • Heroic
  • 9INE
  • Vitality
  • FURIA

The remaining 8 teams had to battle through the Challengers stage this week. Following an intense set of matches, the following teams have qualified for the Legends stage:

  • G2 (3-0)
  • ENCE (3-0)
  • FaZe Clan (3-1)
  • Apeks (3-1)
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas (3-1)
  • GamerLegion (3-2)
  • Monte (3-2)
  • Liquid (3-2)

Games to Watch

There are some mouth watering matchups set in place for the opening games of the Legends stage, seeing four of the top 5 HLTV rated teams go head to head.

The first is FaZe Clan vs Heroic. Heroic are currently the #1 ranked team on HLTV following a second place finish at IEM Rio and IEM Katowice this year, showing their consistency and ability to perform at the top. However, the 5th ranked FaZe Clan have shown that they can dominate when they need to. While they haven't been as consistent, FaZe Clan took the trophy at ESL Pro League Season 17, and qualified through the Last Chance Qualifier for the Major. While going to the LCQ could be seen as a poor result, this shows that FaZe Clan can perform under pressure, and can’t be counted out.

Vitality take on G2 in another round one matchup, seeing #2 face #4. Vitality seem to have peaked just at the right time, taking the most recent event victory at IEM Rio. However, against a strong G2 side, it will be the AWP of Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut that will need to dominate. G2 on the other hand have slowed down. After a strong start to the year that saw them walk through to the IEM Katowice trophy, they are yet to take another, and will need to return to that peak form in this game.

Legends Stage Opening Matchups

  • Natus Vincere vs GamerLegion
  • 9INE vs Liquid
  • FURIA vs Monte
  • Fnatic vs Ninjas in Pyjamas
  • Heroic vs FaZe Clan
  • Into the Breach vs Apeks
  • Vitality vs G2
  • Bad News Eagles vs ENCE

How to Watch BLAST Paris Major Legends Stage

The BLAST Paris Major Legends stage kicks off on Saturday, May 13 at 3:30 pm ET, and can be watched on BLAST.TV, or the BLAST Twitch Channel.