Gaming
BenQ ZOWIE brings India and Bangladesh teams together for CS2 regional qualifier
Three teams will compete in Bengaluru for a place at the Shanghai finals and a US$1,500 regional prize pool
BENGALURU: South Asia’s Counter-Strike 2 contenders are getting a wider shot at the international stage. BenQ ZOWIE has expanded its eXTREMESLAND CS Asia Open 2026 qualifier beyond India for the first time, with three teams set to battle for a place at the Grand Finals in Shanghai.
The South Asia qualifier’s LAN Finals will take place on 25 and 26 October at Elysium X Gaming Café in Banashankari, Bengaluru. The event will feature a US$1,500 regional prize pool, while the winning team will earn a place at the international finals in Shanghai, China, scheduled for 16 to 20 December.
The Bengaluru showdown will bring together Diamond Dogs and FIREDUP Gaming from India, and Red ViperZ Gaming from Bangladesh. Matches will be livestreamed on both days through the YouTube channels of The Esports Club (TEC) and BenQ India.
The expanded qualifier opens participation to teams from neighbouring South Asian countries, widening the competitive field beyond India. BenQ ZOWIE said the move aims to create more opportunities for emerging esports talent and strengthen connections across the region’s gaming ecosystem.
BenQ India and South Asia managing director Rajeev Singh said Counter-Strike had a committed competitive community across South Asia, but teams needed clearer pathways to international competition.
By extending the qualifier beyond India, the company aims to give more regional teams the opportunity to compete for a place on the global stage, Singh said.
The winner in Bengaluru will advance to the eXTREMESLAND CS Asia Open 2026 Grand Finals, where teams from across Asia will compete for a separate US$150,000 prize pool.
The regional qualifier is therefore a gateway to a larger international tournament, with the three finalists looking to turn their Bengaluru performances into a place among Asia’s Counter-Strike contenders.
BenQ ZOWIE is the esports brand of BenQ, a company known for its display technology. The wider BenQ Group operates across sectors including display technology, green energy, integrated circuit design, precision components and system integration.
