NAVI's Lisbon gamble: HyperX Retake entry clashes with Bucharest and Beijing as Major invite wobbles
NAVI stayed in HyperX Retake Season 13 in Lisbon after the withdrawal deadline. The event overlaps PGL Masters Bucharest and ends just before IEM Beijing.
NAVI open PGL Masters Bucharest against G2 on Saturday, 24 October, but their schedule over the next two weeks is about more than that event. HLTV reported this week that the team is still entered in HyperX Retake Season 13, a small LAN in Lisbon. It overlaps with Bucharest and ends less than a day before IEM Beijing begins. NAVI appear to want the LAN wins they need to make sure of a place at PGL Major Singapore.
The clash in numbers
HyperX Retake Season 13 runs in Lisbon from 29 October to 1 November. It has 16 teams and a prize pool of about US$17,000 (US$16,996). Teams could withdraw until 19 October, and NAVI stayed in.
The other dates make it tight:
- PGL Masters Bucharest: 24 to 31 October
- HyperX Retake Season 13, Lisbon: 29 October to 1 November
- IEM Beijing: 2 to 8 November
If NAVI go deep in Bucharest, they could have matches in Romania while the Lisbon event is already under way. They would then need to fly to China straight after Lisbon finishes.
Why NAVI need it
The answer is the Valve Regional Standings (VRS), which decide Major invites. HLTV says NAVI fell out of the VRS top 20 in September and are now 30th. Their place at the Singapore Major is not guaranteed.
HLTV's simulation gives NAVI a 96.6% chance of an invite. The same report warns that this figure can mislead, because it assumes NAVI win matches, especially at HyperX. If they do not get enough LAN wins, they could fall out of contention. HLTV adds that the Lisbon team list was not complete. That raises the risk of NAVI being placed in a three-team GSL group, where they would not get enough matches to earn the wins they need.
A crowded field in Lisbon
Others are also using HyperX Retake. HLTV's Major tracker lists it as important for JiJieHao, who reached the top three at DraculaN Season 7 in Bucharest this week. A top-three finish in Lisbon would lift their chances. BC.Game, who have already secured their Major place, will also be there. Dust2.us reports they return to action at HyperX after going out of DraculaN.
The roster and what comes next
NAVI's listed roster is Aleksib, iM, b1t, w0nderful and makazze, with B1ad3 as coach. HLTV notes the line-up for Portugal had not been finalised when it reported the story. At IEM Beijing, NAVI play Falcons in their first match of Group A.
PGL Major Singapore runs from 25 November to 13 December. The finals are at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 10 to 13 December. It is the first CS2 Major in Southeast Asia, so whether NAVI qualify matters to fans in Malaysia and Singapore.
Key takeaways
- NAVI remain entered in HyperX Retake Season 13 in Lisbon (29 October to 1 November) after the 19 October withdrawal deadline passed.
- The event overlaps PGL Masters Bucharest and ends less than a day before IEM Beijing.
- NAVI are 30th in the VRS. HLTV's simulation gives them a 96.6% Major chance but warns that this assumes LAN wins.
- JiJieHao and BC.Game are also expected at HyperX Retake.
FAQ
Why are NAVI playing a small tournament in Lisbon? They need LAN wins to protect their Valve Regional Standings position and make sure of an invite to PGL Major Singapore. They have dropped out of the VRS top 20.
Who do NAVI play first at PGL Masters Bucharest? NAVI face G2 in Round 1 of the Swiss stage on Saturday, 24 October. All Swiss matches are best-of-three.
When is IEM Beijing? IEM Beijing runs from 2 to 8 November 2026. NAVI open Group A against Falcons.
Sources: HLTV, Dust2.us, esports.gg, Little Big Red Dot