The XSE Pro League Guangzhou 2026 (XPL) concluded at the South China Agricultural University Gymnasium on July 12. In the best-of-five grand final, the Argentinian esports club 9z swept Russian side PARIVISION (PV) with a score of 3-0 to claim the championship.
The individual map scores were 13-9 on Mirage, 13-10 on Inferno, and 13-4 on Dust2. The tournament offered a total prize pool of $1 million, with 9z taking home $200,000 in player prize money and a further $60,000 as the club share.
Grand final recap:
- Map 1 (Mirage): PV selected the map, but 9z made a fast start and secured a 13-9 victory.
- Map 2 (Inferno): 9z took control of several key rounds and closed out the map 13-10.
- Map 3 (Dust2): In a largely one-sided contest, 9z sealed the championship with a decisive 13-4 win.
9z's path to the title was far from straightforward. The team lost to EYEBALLERS and Alliance in the group stage before finding its rhythm. In the knockout rounds, 9z defeated the Chinese side TYLOO 2-1 in the quarterfinals, avenged its group-stage loss with a 2-1 victory over Alliance in the semifinals, and swept PV in the grand final. The triumph marks the club's first major international offline tournament title.
Organized by Guangzhou-based esports brand XSE and certified by Valve as a Tier 1 international ranking event, the tournament brought together 16 teams in Guangzhou from July 1 to 12. The group stage was held at the Friendship Hall of the Canton Fair Complex, while the knockout rounds took place at the South China Agricultural University Sports Complex. Alongside 9z and PARIVISION, the field included leading international teams such as FaZe and Alliance, as well as TYLOO and LVG from the host side.
The grand final drew an enthusiastic response from the audience, with cheers and applause filling the arena. Off-stage activities, such as player autographing sessions, photo-taking opportunities, and trophy displays, gave attendees an immersive experience beyond watching the competition online. As 9z lifted the championship trophy, the thrilling 12-day international CS2 tournament came to a close.
Author | Jiang Chang
Photo | Guangzhou Daily
