Three Teams, One Ticket to Shanghai: BenQ ZOWIE Takes

Every competitive scene needs a clear path to the big stage. This year, Counter-Strike players across South Asia are getting one. BenQ ZOWIE is hosting the LAN Finals of the eXTREMESLAND CS Asia Open 2026 South Asia Qualifier in Bengaluru, and for the first time the qualifier reaches beyond India.

Here’s what you need to know before the first round starts. For more esports coverage, keep exploring Technosports.

BenQ ZOWIE: Overview

Detail	Info
Tournament	ZOWIE eXTREMESLAND CS Asia Open 2026, South Asia Qualifier
Game	Counter-Strike 2
LAN Finals	October 25–26, 2026
Venue	Elysium X Gaming Café, Banashankari, Bengaluru
Teams	Diamond Dogs (India), FIREDUP Gaming (India), Red ViperZ Gaming (Bangladesh)
Regional Prize Pool	US$1,500
Grand Finals	Shanghai, China, December 16–20, 2026
Grand Finals Prize Pool	US$150,000
Livestream	YouTube channels of The Esports Club (TEC) and BenQ India

What’s New This Year?

It’s no longer India-only.
The qualifier now welcomes teams from neighbouring South Asian countries. BenQ ZOWIE says the wider field is meant to create more opportunities for emerging esports talent and to strengthen connections across the region’s gaming community.

There’s money on the table.
A US$1,500 prize pool now sits alongside the real prize: a spot at the international stage.

The Teams Fighting for Shanghai

Three Counter-Strike 2 teams have qualified for the Bengaluru LAN Finals:

Diamond Dogs (India)
FIREDUP Gaming (India)
Red ViperZ Gaming (Bangladesh)

Only one team will advance. The winner heads to the Grand Finals in Shanghai, where teams from across Asia compete for a separate US$150,000 prize pool. That makes every round in Bengaluru count.

Why It Matters for South Asian Esports?

Rajeev Singh, Managing Director of BenQ India and South Asia, said the region’s Counter-Strike community is committed, and what talented teams need most is a clear route to the international stage. This qualifier is designed to provide exactly that.

For fans, it adds a regional angle: an India-versus-Bangladesh contest with a global prize at the end. For players, it’s a rare chance to move from local competition to an international event.

How to Watch?

?Both days of the LAN Finals will be livestreamed on the YouTube channels of The Esports Club (TEC) and BenQ India. If you’re in Bengaluru, the matches are hosted at Elysium X Gaming Café in Banashankari.

Mark October 25–26 on your calendar and tune in. For more esports and gaming news, head back to Technosports.