PGL Esports (simply PGL) is a Romanian esports production company based in Bucharest that produces Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2 tournaments. They are most notable for producing developer-sponsored events such as Counter-Strike Major Championships as well as The International series of events.

History

PGL was founded in Romania in 2002. PGL began hosting Dota 2 tournaments with the Manila Major in 2016. Since then, they have hosted major events including each of The Internationals between 2016 and 2024. Recently, PGL announced events between 2024 and 2026, including their Wallachia series of events.

PGL has hosted multiple Counter-Strike Major Championships, including PGL Major: Krakow 2017 and PGL Major Stockholm 2021, as well as the first Counter-Strike 2 Major, PGL Major Copenhagen 2024. They also produced the English broadcast for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024.

Dota 2

PGL has hosted Dota 2 tournaments since 2016, including Valve-sponsored Majors and The International, as well as their own independent tournament series.

Notable tournaments

NameDateLocationChampionRunner-upPrize poolRef.
The Manila Major 2016June 3–12, 2016Mall of Asia Arena, ManilaOG EsportsTeam LiquidUS$3,000,000
The International 2016August 2–13, 2016Climate Pledge Arena, SeattleWings GamingDigital ChaosUS$20,770,460
The Boston Major 2016December 3–10, 2016Wang Theater, BostonOG EsportsAd FinemUS$3,000,000
The Kiev Major 2017April 24–30, 2017National Palace of Arts, KyivOG EsportsVirtus.pro
The International 2017August 2–12, 2017Climate Pledge Arena, SeattleTeam LiquidNewbeeUS$24,787,916
The Bucharest MajorMarch 4–11, 2018Polyvalent Hall, BucharestVirtus.proVGJ.ThunderUS$1,000,000
Dota 2 Asia Championships 2018March 29–April 7, 2018Shanghai Oriental Sports Center, ShanghaiMineskiLGD Gaming
China Dota2 SupermajorJune 2–10, 2018Yuanshen Gymnasium, ShanghaiTeam LiquidVirtus.proUS$1,500,000
The International 2018August 15–25, 2018Rogers Arena, VancouverOG EsportsLGD GamingUS$25,532,177
The Kuala Lumpur MajorNovember 9–18, 2018Axiata Arena, Kuala LumpurVirtus.proTeam SecretUS$1,000,000
The International 2019August 15–25, 2019Mercedez-Benz Arena, ShanghaiOG EsportsTeam LiquidUS$34,330,068
ONE Esports Singapore Major 2021March 27–April 4, 2021Fairmont Singapore, SingaporeInvictus GamingEvil GeniusesUS$500,000
The International 2021October 7–17, 2021Arena Națională, BucharestTeam SpiritLGD GamingUS$40,018,195
PGL Arlington Major 2022August 4–14, 2022Esports Stadium Arlington, ArlingtonTeam SpiritLGD GamingUS$500,000
The International 2022October 15–30, 2022SingaporeTundra EsportsTeam SecretUS$18,930,775
The International 2023October 12–29, 2023SeattleTeam SpiritGaimin GladiatorsUS$3,380,455
PGL Wallachia Season 1May 10–19, 2024PGL Studio, BucharestTeam SpiritXtreme GamingUS$1,000,000
The International 2024September 4–15, 2024Royal Arena, CopenhagenTeam LiquidGaimin GladiatorsUS$2,776,566
PGL Wallachia Season 2October 4–13, 2024PGL Studio, BucharestHEROICTeam FalconsUS$1,000,000
PGL Wallachia Season 3March 8–16, 2025Team LiquidTundra Esports
PGL Wallachia Season 4April 19–27, 2025Team LiquidPARIVISION
PGL Wallachia Season 5November 15–23, 2025TBDTBD

Counter-Strike

PGL has hosted Counter-Strike tournaments beginning in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive with Minor qualifiers for MLG Major Championship: Columbus in 2016. Since then, PGL have hosted several Valve-sponsored Major Championships. Beginning in 2025, after Valve banned tournament organizers from selling tournament spots to teams, PGL announced that it would organize independent non-Major events in 2025 and 2026 for the first time.

PGL also organized the English-language broadcast for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024.

Notable tournaments

NameDateLocationChampionRunner-upThird placePrize poolRef.
In Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
PGL Major Kraków 2017July 16–23, 2017Tauron Arena, KrakówGambit EsportsImmortalsAstralis Virtus.proUS$1,000,000
PGL Major Stockholm 2021October 26–November 7, 2021StockholmNatus VincereG2 EsportsGambit Esports HeroicUS$2,000,000
PGL Major Antwerp 2022May 9–22, 2022Sportpaleis, AntwerpFaZe ClanNatus VincereTeam Spirit ENCEUS$1,000,000
In Counter-Strike 2
PGL Major Copenhagen 2024March 17–31, 2024Royal Arena, CopenhagenNatus VincereFaZe ClanTeam Vitality G2 EsportsUS$1,250,000
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025February 14–23, 2025Bucharest/Cluj-NapocaMOUZTeam FalconsAstralis
PGL Bucharest 2025April 6–13, 2025PGL Studio, BucharestTeam FalconsG2 EsportsFaZe ClanUS$1,250,000
PGL Astana 2025May 10–18, 2025Barys Arena, AstanaTeam SpiritAstralisAurora Gaming
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025October 26–November 1, 2025PGL Studio, BucharestAurora GamingLegacySAW
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026February 11–22, 2026BTarena, Cluj-NapocaTeam VitalityPARIVISIONMOUZ
PGL Bucharest 2026April 2–12, 2026PGL Studio, BucharestFUT EsportsAstralisThe MongolZ
PGL Astana 2026May 7–17, 2026Barys Arena, AstanaTBDTBDTBDUS$1,600,000
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026October 24–31, 2026PGL Studio, BucharestTBDTBDTBDUS$1,250,000
PGL Major Singapore 2026November 25–December 13, 2026Singapore Indoor Stadium, SingaporeTBDTBDTBDUS$1,250,000

Notes