South American Counter-Strike 2 organization 9z is one series away from claiming the XSE Pro League Guangzhou 2026 title, entering the Grand Finals with an early advantage after dispatching European squad Alliance 2-1 in the semifinals on July 11.
The tournament, organized by Xinsai Esports and running July 1 through July 12 in Guangzhou, China, carries a $1 million prize pool and features over 16 international teams competing through a hybrid group Swiss and playoff format.
How 9z got here
9z has been a fixture in Latin American Counter-Strike since the organization’s founding in 2018, but the Guangzhou Grand Finals marks a significant new milestone: their first Grand Final appearance at this level of international competition.
The roster, built around players including max, dgt, meyern, and luchov, navigated a competitive group stage before punching through the playoff bracket to reach the final. Their 2-1 result against Alliance in the semis was not a cakewalk, but it was a statement.
