9z Secures Early Advantage in XSE Pro League Guangzhou 2026 Grand Finals

The XSE Pro League Guangzhou 2026 esports tournament reached its climax as South American Counter-Strike 2 organization 9z secured an early advantage in the Grand Finals. With a convincing 2-1 win over European squad Alliance on July 11, they are now just one series away from claiming the championship title.

The $1 million prize pool and hybrid group Swiss and playoff format have drawn top international teams to Guangzhou, China, including PARIVISION, which stands between 9z and the trophy. The Grand Final is a best-of-5 match.

This marks a significant milestone for 9z, who has been a fixture in Latin American Counter-Strike since its founding in 2018 but has never before reached this level of international competition. Their roster, built around players including max, dgt, meyern, and luchov, navigated the competitive group stage and playoff bracket to reach the final.

The absence of crypto sponsors at the tournament is notable. A few years ago, it was almost impossible to find an esports event without a blockchain or token reward system. However, since FTX's collapse, traditional funding models have made a comeback, with the XSE Pro League Guangzhou 2026 being a prime example.