Thunderpick World Championship 2025 Malta Final
The Thunderpick World Championship 2025 returns this October as one of the most prominent independent Counter-Strike 2 tournaments. Now in its third year, the event will take place in Malta from October 15 to 19, featuring a LAN finals format with a prize pool of $850,000. Four top-ranked teams, including The MongolZ, NAVI, Aurora, and FURIA, have already secured direct invitations.
This year’s edition stands out not only for its scale but also for its competitive lineup. With defending champions The MongolZ set to compete alongside other elite rosters, the tournament promises high-level matches and significant stakes, as the winning team will claim $500,000 from the pool.
Thunderpick World Championship 2025 Main Event
Direct Invites and Qualified Lineup
The main stage will bring together eight teams, four of which earned direct invitations based on their global ranking positions. Among them are The MongolZ, the reigning champions who recently climbed to third place in the September standings. Alongside them, Aurora Gaming, Natus Vincere (NAVI), and FURIA secured their slots.
The other four spots will be filled through the final Closed Qualifier, ensuring a balance of elite contenders and rising challengers. Below is the current list of confirmed and pending participants:
- [Direct Invite] The MongolZ
- [Direct Invite] NAVI
- [Direct Invite] FURIA
- [Direct Invite] Aurora Gaming
- Winner – Closed Qualifier #1
- Winner – Closed Qualifier #2
- Winner – Closed Qualifier #3
- Winner – Closed Qualifier #4
This structure guarantees that the event showcases both established powerhouses and teams proving themselves through qualification.
Closed Qualifier Stage
The qualifying round runs from September 9–11, 2025, featuring sixteen teams competing for the last four main event slots. These squads represent a mix of mid-ranked organizations and ambitious challengers aiming to break into the top tier.
Notable participants include Legacy (#19), BetBoom (#20), and SAW (#22), all of whom have shown consistent results in recent months. Traditional names such as Ninjas in Pyjamas, ENCE, and BIG also join the field, adding weight to the competition.
| Rank | Points | Team Name |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | 1374 | Legacy |
| 20 | 1370 | BetBoom |
| 22 | 1322 | SAW |
| 24 | 1308 | Ninjas in Pyjamas |
| 29 | 1221 | ENCE |
| 30 | 1214 | OG Esports |
| 31 | 1209 | ECSTATIC |
| 34 | 1188 | Imperial Esports |
| 35 | 1185 | PARIVISION |
| 37 | 1176 | M80 |
| 41 | 1136 | Nemiga Gaming |
| 45 | 1097 | BIG |
| 51 | 1040 | 9z |
| 59 | 995 | JiJieHao |
| — | — | TEAM NEXT LEVEL |
| — | — | Team Venom |
The outcome of this stage will finalize the lineup for Malta, setting the stage for a balanced and competitive main event.
Thunderpick World Championship 2025 Prize Distribution
The 2025 edition of the Thunderpick World Championship allocates a total of $1,000,000 in rewards. Out of this, $850,000 is distributed through final placements, while the remaining $150,000 is dedicated to participation fees for the eight teams competing in Malta.
The prize distribution follows a 40% share for players and a 60% share for organizations, ensuring both individuals and teams gain from their performance. This split also contributes directly to VRS Standings, making every dollar earned valuable beyond the immediate payout.
The champion secures the largest portion, with $500,000 awarded to the winners. Runners-up take home $150,000, while third and fourth place receive $70,000 and $50,000 respectively. Teams finishing between fifth and eighth each collect $20,000, maintaining balanced compensation across the field.
Additional participation fees further boost earnings. The four directly invited teams — Natus Vincere, The MongolZ, Aurora, and FURIA — each gain an extra $25,000. The four squads advancing through the Closed Qualifiers receive $12,500 apiece.
Prize Breakdown Table:
| Placement | Total Prize | Player Share | Team Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | $500,000 | $200,000 | $300,000 |
| 2nd Place | $150,000 | $60,000 | $90,000 |
| 3rd Place | $70,000 | $28,000 | $42,000 |
| 4th Place | $50,000 | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| 5th Place | $20,000 | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| 6th Place | $20,000 | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| 7th Place | $20,000 | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| 8th Place | $20,000 | $8,000 | $12,000 |
This structure ensures both competitive performance and participation are rewarded, creating a balanced financial framework for the event.
