Location and Date: FISSURE Playground 2 will be held in Belgrade, Serbia, from September 12 to 21, 2025.
Team Lineup: 16 teams will participate, all invited based on the Global VRS rankings (as of July). While some top teams (such as Spirit and Vitality) are absent, the tournament still includes most of the top ten teams in the global rankings.
Swiss stage: Best-of-Three matches, with the top 8 teams advancing to the knockout stage.
Knockout stage: Single-elimination, with the finals being Best-of-Five, all other matches being Best-of-Three.
Prize pool and prize distribution of FISSURE Playground 2: Total prize pool US$500,000, with first place receiving US$200,000; second place US$100,000; third and fourth place each receiving US$40,000. Fifth through eighth place will each receive approximately US$17,500, with the remaining places proceeding in descending order.
Round 4 matchups of FISSURE Playground 2
With the conclusion of the third round of the Swiss tournament, the team results are beginning to emerge, and the Round 4 matchups have been determined. The following is a breakdown of the specific matchups and their significance:
| Matchup | Key Highlights |
| G2 Esports vs GamerLegion | G2 remain steady, while GamerLegion need stronger veto and mid-round discipline. |
| 3DMAX vs Virtus.pro | Clash of styles: fast-paced 3DMAX against VP’s structured, patient approach. |
| FaZe Clan vs The MongolZ | FaZe are still gelling with new roster moves; The MongolZ bring raw firepower and consistency. |
| TYLOO vs Team Liquid | Liquid must secure a win to stay in contention; TYLOO aim to exploit their shaky form. |
| FURIA vs paiN Gaming | Brazilian derby – experience vs momentum, both teams know each other’s playbook well. |
| Astralis vs Legacy | Astralis rely on veteran stability; Legacy’s upset potential makes this a dangerous match. |
In the first three Swiss rounds, several teams have shown strong performances, while others should be wary of a decline. Here are the key results and trends:
Falcons: Winning all three rounds, including a comeback victory against FaZe, they’ve shown strong form.
Aurora: Consecutive wins, especially in the crucial match against FURIA that secured their spot in the knockout round, where star player XANTARES performed exceptionally well.
Liquid: Their form has been inconsistent, with both gains and losses. They’ll need to win key games in the remaining rounds if they advance to the knockout stage.
Lynn Vision and Legacy: Currently ranked low, they need a winning streak and strong map play to recover from their slump.
Prediction of Advancing to the Knockout Stage of FISSURE Playground 2
Based on the current situation and strength comparison, I believe the following eight teams are most likely to advance to the Knockout Stage:
The MongolZ, G2 Esports, FaZe Clan, Aurora Gaming, Falcons, FURIA, Astralis, GamerLegion.
These teams often possess the following qualities:
Strong map depth/variety, making them less likely to be dominated by a single opponent.
Players have superior experience and mental resilience to pressure, allowing them to perform consistently in tight situations.
Recent consistent form, including recent offline matches, team morale, and roster coordination.
Conclusion
The fourth round matchups are not only a crucial milestone in the tournament’s progress, but also a crucial stage in determining which teams will advance to the knockout stage. FISSURE Playground 2’s Swiss round format gives each team four “filtering” opportunities, and the fourth round is often a time when pressure builds and opportunities emerge.
For teams in good form like FaZe, Aurora, and Falcons, maintaining their rhythm and avoiding mistakes in the fourth round are crucial for advancing to the knockout stage.
For teams experiencing significant fluctuations in form or early in their losing streaks (such as Legacy, Liquid, or Lynn Vision), securing at least one win in this round is crucial; otherwise, the risk of elimination increases dramatically.
Map selection, game strategy adjustments, and psychological tactics are crucial in this round, impacting not only the current match but also points, rankings, and upcoming matchups.
In short, the fifth Swiss round will determine the outcome, and teams that rebound strongly from the fourth round or maintain their winning streak will emerge as dark horses or formidable opponents in the knockout stage.