PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 Power Rankings: A LAN win for Aurora?

PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 is upon us, marking PGL’s first CS2 event in five months since Astana. Since then, the Counter-Strike landscape has changed drastically, but PGL’s return is more than welcome in the hectic calendar.

There are 16 teams heading to Bucharest in total – it’s time to rank them in our PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 Power Rankings!

Mandatory for Aurora?

On multiple occasions throughout 2025, there have been several smaller LANs that have felt like somewhat mandatory victories for Aurora. The Turkish squad are yet to get their first LAN trophy on the board, despite coming into several events firmly among the favorites. However, in each, they have been bested by teams around their level, and had to watch these teams go on to lift the trophy. The likes of FURIA and The MongolZ have got their LAN trophies, yet the wait goes on for Aurora.

But here, there can be simply no excuses. At PGL Masters Bucharest 2025, Aurora should see themselves as favorites. Sure, the likes of Astralis and Team Liquid are in attendance, but no other team here has found themselves in Tier 1 Playoffs as often as Aurora. Even if the mood in the camp isn’t great right now, Aurora really need to go and win PGL Masters Bucharest 2025.

More momentum for Legacy?

Legacy were surprise winners of the CS Asia Championships 2025 – a legit LAN win that sort of came from nowhere. The Brazilians have been quietly improving of late, and this trophy felt like something of an announcement of their arrival.

PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 is Legacy’s first event post-trophy win. While not defining by any shape or form, it will start to give us some idea of whether their win in Shanghai was merely a fluke, or a sign of a team ready to make the next step in their Counter-Strike journey. There’s a real chance to gain some momentum ahead of the StarLadder Budapest Major – let’s hope they don’t waste it.

Potential PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 underdogs

The level of teams at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 is broadly on a pretty even keel, which could make for some exciting underdog runs. And we all know a dark horse is always more interesting than a big favorite. Let’s talk about some teams that could upset the odds in Bucharest.

First is B8, a young lineup that just seems to be getting better. At last, they’ve freed npl of IGL duties to allow him the freedom of a star rifler. Instead, alex666 takes the mantle, which should improve the balance of a team that needs all the experience they can get. Their raw firepower is undeniable, and at an event like this, that could be enough to make a real dent in proceedings.

I also really like the look of Gentle Mates. Although they just missed out on a spot at the StarLadder Budapest Major, they made the most of their debut at ESL Pro League Season 22 by beating Vitality and G2, among others. The finished article? Surely not. But for the all-Spanish Gentle Mates lineup, that’s not the expectation. Just let them cook, and PGL Masters Bucharest can be a showcase for their abilities.