Natus Vincere made a successful start to their campaign at IEM Beijing 2026, defeating Team Falcons 2:0 in their opening group-stage match. FURIA, The MongolZ, HEROIC, Team Liquid, PARIVISION, BetBoom Team, and MOUZ also advanced to the upper bracket. Following the first day of competition, eight teams will continue their fight for a place in the playoffs through the upper bracket, while the other eight will play elimination matches.
One of the main matchups of the first day was the clash between NAVI and Team Falcons. The Ukrainian organization’s team started the series on Ancient and immediately took control. NAVI secured a comfortable lead in the first half and, after switching sides, did not allow their opponents to get back into the game — 13:5.
On the second map, Falcons tried to put up a fight, but NAVI maintained control of the match and closed out the series without needing a third map — 2:0.
Thanks to the victory, NAVI advanced to the upper-bracket semifinals of Group A, where they will face FURIA. The Brazilian team recently became champions of PGL Masters Bucharest 2026 and also made a successful start in Beijing.
FURIA started their series against FaZe Clan with an advantage on Ancient. The Brazilians were leading 10:2 but failed to hold on to their lead. FaZe won 11 consecutive rounds and finished the map with a 13:11 victory.
On Dust2, FURIA changed their approach and confidently responded to their opponents — 13:5. The decisive Cache also went the Brazilians’ way, as they won 13:4.
As a result, FURIA secured a 2:1 victory and advanced to face NAVI in the upper bracket. FaZe, in turn, dropped to the lower bracket, where they will face Falcons. The winner of this matchup will continue the tournament, while the losing team will be eliminated.
Two other matchups also took place in Group A.
The MongolZ lost to Legacy on Mirage — 13:16, but managed to turn the series around. The Mongolian team confidently took Dust2 13:6 and then won Ancient 13:8. The final score was 2:1.
The other match ended with HEROIC defeating the Ukrainian team B8. HEROIC gave their opponents very few chances on Nuke — 13:4, and then extended their advantage on Dust2 with a 13:7 victory.
As a result, The MongolZ and HEROIC will meet in the upper-bracket semifinals. Following their defeat, B8 dropped to the lower bracket, where they will face Legacy. For one of the teams, this match will be their last at the tournament.
One of the most interesting matches in Group B was the clash between PARIVISION and G2 Esports. G2 took the first map, Dust2, 13:9, but failed to build on their success.
PARIVISION responded with a 13:7 victory on Anubis and then closed out the series on Ancient with a 13:9 win. The final score was 2:1 in favor of PARIVISION.
Ukrainian player r1nkle, who represents G2, will continue the tournament in the lower bracket alongside his team. Their next opponent will be Aurora.
Meanwhile, Team Liquid comfortably defeated Aurora. Both maps ended with dominant scores: 13:3 on Inferno and 13:4 on Anubis. Liquid advanced to the upper-bracket semifinals, where they will face PARIVISION.
Two more Group B matches also determined the teams advancing to the next round of the upper bracket.
9z made a strong start to their series against BetBoom Team, winning Dust2 13:8. However, BetBoom managed to fight back on Ancient — 13:7 — and then close out the deciding Mirage with a 13:9 victory. The series ended with a 2:1 win for BetBoom.
In the parallel matchup, MOUZ defeated China's TYLOO 2:0. The team comfortably took Inferno 13:6 and then won Nuke 13:7.
As a result, MOUZ will face BetBoom in the upper bracket, while TYLOO will meet 9z in the lower bracket. Both matches will be important for the teams' continued fight to reach the playoffs.
On November 3, the tournament will feature the upper-bracket semifinals and the first lower-bracket matchups. All matches will be played in a BO3 format.
Group A:
Group B:
All times are Kyiv time.
Following the first day, NAVI have the opportunity to continue their fight for first place in Group A through the upper bracket. Their next opponent will be FURIA — one of the strongest teams in recent weeks, who arrived in Beijing after winning PGL Masters Bucharest 2026.
The match between B8 and Legacy will be equally important. Both teams lost their opening matches and now have no room for error: a defeat will mean the end of their IEM Beijing 2026 campaign.
The tournament runs from November 2 to 8 in Beijing. Sixteen teams are competing for a $1.25 million prize pool. The top three teams from each group will advance to the playoffs.
As a reminder, PGS 2026 Circuit Series 4 Final results: NAVI advance to the World Championship Grand Finals, Team 09 set for the Survival Stage.
