BanKs on the CS Asia Championships 2026: “Team Falcons, PARIVISION, MongolZ, and MOUZ look like the top favorites.”

BanKs: ESL Pro League Season 25 is moving to Saudi Arabia. Let me put it this way: the tournament operator tried to be very sneaky. Usually, when a major TO posts about a championship, it always includes a bold headline announcing changes or details about the event. In the case of the 25th season of the EPL, the organizers released a statement mentioning the release of new details about the competition. But for the reader to grasp the gist, they had to click the link and read the entire article. It turns out that ESL tried, in a way, to hide certain details in this manner.

Devilwalk: The tournament operator was definitely not proud of what they were about to announce. It’s obvious to me that they tried to make the news about the location as boring as possible.

BanKs: Team Falcons, PARIVISION, MongolZ, and MOUZ look like the top favorites. Obviously, there’s a lot of money on the line, since this is a VRS championship. On top of that, the tournament format itself is very fast-paced—it will take place over just four days. Let me try to give my prediction for the event: Falcons should win. From the groups, in my opinion, Falcons, TYLOO, MOUZ, The MongolZ, PARIVISION, and B8 will advance.

Devilwalk: In my view, the Falcons, MOUZ, and Legacy should advance to the playoffs. As for the second group, The MongolZ will most likely advance directly to the semifinals, while PARIVISION will head to the quarterfinals. Choosing the third team is quite difficult, but I’ll probably go with 3DMAX.

BanKs: So, EWC 2026 is moving to Paris! You know what’s the coolest thing about this event for me? The very first original esports World Cup, which I attended back in the CS 1.6 days, was also held in France! So, it’s come full circle. The name might be a little different now, but it’s still the same event.

Devilwalk: Funny fact, but that very old tournament you mentioned is one of the main reasons I don’t like being in Paris.

BanKs: Yeah, I remember working there as a journalist, and everyone around me was speaking only the local language.

Devilwalk: Back then, there wasn’t proper sound isolation yet. So imagine this: the commentators are broadcasting in French, and you’re playing against a local team. You know what I mean? It’s such an incredible advantage—it’s hard to put into words.

BanKs: Yeah, yeah, that’s how it was every time. The organizers really favored the home teams, the whole crowd was rooting for them, and it was all like that.