The first day of the finals sees fierce battles as teams vie for the trophy.
Category: World News
On March 21, the final stage of the PUBG: Battlegrounds global esports event, known as the PUBG Global Series 1 (PGS1), kicked off in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. This high-stakes competition gathered 16 teams that had advanced through the group, winners, and survival stages, setting the stage for an intense clash.
The PGS is recognized as the premier international competition for Battlegrounds esports and has announced a restructuring alongside its plans for 2026. The event marks the first PGS of 2026 and serves as the inaugural stage of the newly introduced circuit system, which will encompass three tournaments combined into a single competitive framework.
Among the four Korean teams participating in PGS1, only DN Supers and T1 made it to the final stage. Over the course of two days, these teams will compete in ten matches against 14 other global teams, all vying for the coveted trophy.
The competition began with a bang, as the first match quickly escalated into a fierce firefight. Match 1 took place on Erangel, where many teams encountered each other due to the shrinking play zone centered around the southwest area of Primorsk. T1 faced an early setback, losing one player to Full Sense (FS) right from the start. As teams engaged in battles both inside and outside the safe zone, eliminations began to pile up.
Kerberos (FCE) was the first team to be eliminated after failing to withstand the onslaught from Full Sense. The real clashes intensified from the fifth circle onward, with S2G, eArena (EA), and FUR also falling short. Fortunately for the Korean teams, both DN Supers and T1 positioned themselves within the safe zone, enhancing their chances of survival.
However, T1’s struggle continued as they were pushed out by Twisted Minds (TWIS), failing to secure a top-four finish. In contrast, DN Supers expanded their territory by overcoming FUR and 4AM, showcasing a calm and collected performance that led them to victory in the first match.
The second match unfolded on Miramar, where Petrichor Road (PeRo), who had previously shown promise in the group and winners stages, could not overcome Kerberos and was eliminated early. The Expendables (TE) gained momentum, climbing into the mid-tier rankings as the match progressed. The safe zone narrowed to the central Kendra area, presenting challenges for teams on the outskirts.
T1 faced another setback, unable to prevail against Natus Vincere (NAVI) and quickly exiting the match. DN Supers also fell to 4AM, concluding their second match prematurely. The top four teams at this point were Anyones Legends (AL), Twisted Minds (TWIS), 4AM, and Jingdong, with the chicken dinner ultimately going to Anyones Legends.
As a result of the first two matches, 4AM emerged as the overall leader, bolstered by their kill points despite lacking in rank points. DN Supers secured second place, thanks to their initial match victory. The first day of the finals is set to continue through to match five, with the excitement palpable among both players and spectators.
Prior to the finals, Krafton had conducted the survival stage of the PGS Circuit 1 on March 20. This circuit comprises three series, with performance in each tournament contributing to a cumulative score. The inaugural event of the year, PGS Circuit 1, saw participation from a total of 24 teams, including 12 global partners and 12 regional qualifiers.
The series runs from March 18 to 22, featuring a structure that includes group stages, winners stages, survival stages, and the final stage. On March 19, the winners stage took place, where DN Supers and T1 both secured their spots in the finals, finishing third and fourth respectively with identical scores of 44 points. DN Supers earned 9 rank points, while T1 garnered 8.
Unfortunately, the Korean teams that entered the survival stage did not secure tickets to the finals. Gen.G finished in 10th place, while Crazy Raccoon ended their journey in 15th place despite a strong showing in the last match that saw them reach the top four.
All matches are being broadcasted on official channels, including Battlegrounds esports’ official YouTube, SOOP, and CHZZK, as well as through various streaming channels featuring multiple streamers.
The first day of the finals has set a thrilling tone for the PGS1, with teams battling fiercely for supremacy. As the competition continues, fans are eager to see which team will ultimately claim the championship trophy.