Esports Weekend Review: FaZe win R6 EWC, Team Vision go unbeaten in TI Groups, CS2 EWC Heats Up

Jon Nicholson, Freelance Writer

Last Updated: 17/08/2026

Even past the mid-point of August, the esports world is still rife with high-profile tournaments entering their decisive phases.

Over the weekend, FaZe Clan dominated Rainbow Six Siege to claim the Esports World Cup (EWC 2026) title, while Team Vision tore through opponents in The International 2026 (TI 2026) Group Stage, and several Counter-Strike 2 juggernauts booked their places in the EWC Playoffs.

Here’s a closer look at the biggest results from another weekend of world-class esports action.

R6 Siege: FaZe Clan clinches another trophy at EWC 2026

FaZe Clan have claimed the one major trophy missing from their Rainbow Six Siege collection.

Entering as the tournament favourites at 4/1 (5.0), FaZe Clan had a 20% implied probability of lifting the trophy in Paris – and they delivered. The reigning Six Invitational champions defeated Brazilian rivals FURIA 3–1 in the EWC 2026 Grand Final, earning $750,000 in prize money and direct qualification to the Six Invitational 2027.

FaZe Clan survive scares from Liquid and Geekay

The Red Militia breezed through Group B with wins over Fnatic (7–2) and Virtus.pro (2–1) to lock in a Playoffs berth. In the Quarterfinals, even Team Liquid’s new Rainbow Six roster proved no match for FaZe Clan, as KDS delivered a clinical 11–4 performance on Fortress, powering a dominant 7–0 scoreline.

When Liquid responded with a 7–1 demolition on Lair, FaZe Clan’s ruthless aggression on Border sealed a 7–2 victory, spearheaded by superior map control from Handyy and cyber. Not long after, Geekay Esports threatened to end FaZe Clan’s run in the Semifinal, opening the best-of-three with a 7–5 win on Chalet.

However, VITAKING’s excellent in-game leadership later proved decisive on Consulate and Fortress, making it nearly impossible for Geekay to solve FaZe Clan’s defensive setups. With more effective trading and by denying Geekay any early-round advantages, FaZe Clan bounced back to win both maps and book yet another Grand Final.

@FaZeClan WINS IT ALL 🏆 🏆 🏆

The GOAT debate is officially settled 🐐 pic.twitter.com/FFcfX0Xwkk

— EWC Extra (@EWC_Extra) August 15, 2026

FaZe Clan defeat FURIA to complete the Triple Crown

In the best-of-five, the Handyy-cyber duo led the charge as FaZe Clan secured a convincing two-map lead. FURIA responded by forcing a fourth map with an overtime win on Fortress, but it wasn’t enough. Eleven frags and a 91% KOST from soulz1 led FaZe Clan to a 7–5 win on Lair, wrapping up an incredible 3–1 series victory.

For soulz1, KDS, and cyber, triumphing at EWC 2026 completes the Triple Crown of Rainbow Six esports. With the Six Invitational, a Major, and EWC titles in hand, FaZe Clan have cemented themselves as one of Rainbow Six Siege’s all-time greats.

The strongest dynasty R6 has ever witnessed.

Now eternalised in Esports history ✨ pic.twitter.com/Dc2vqHlgIj

— EWC Extra (@EWC_Extra) August 15, 2026

Dota 2: Team Vision exit TI 2026 Group Stage unbeaten

After triumphing at EWC, Team Vision (aka PARIVISION) carried that momentum straight into the TI 2026, entering the Group Stage as the pre-tournament favourite at 4/1 (5.0), giving the team a 20% implied probability of adding another trophy to their cabinet.

A dominant 14/0/13 showing from Satanic on Nature’s Prophet helped secure a 2–1 opening victory over Team Resilience before Vision survived a gruelling three-game series against defending champions Team Falcons.

The deciding game against Falcons stretched beyond 90 minutes, but Team Vision eventually came out on top to maintain their unbeaten start. A comfortable 2–0 victory over BoomBoys (aka BetBoom Team) followed, setting up a clash with fellow unbeaten side Team Spirit.

Team Vision dismantles Team Spirit

Perhaps the most exciting matchup of the Group Stage quickly became a statement victory for Team Vision at TI 2026.

Total control in game one against Team Spirit ended in a dominant 37–7 scoreline, with Satanic producing an 11/0/18 performance on Nature’s Prophet and preventing any kind of momentum from building for the opposition. Team Spirit offered more resistance in game two, but Vision again dictated the pace and closed out the series 2–0.

Satanic once again went deathless, this time finishing 7/0/12 on Lifestealer, as Team Vision became the first side to secure direct qualification to the TI 2026 Playoffs.

 Team Vision enters the Playoffs as the team to beat

Team Vision’s path to the Aegis appears favourable, with a Quarterfinal clash against BoomBoys kicking off their Playoff campaign. Bookmakers have Team Vision at 1/5 (1.2) and an 83.3% implied probability of advancing to the next round, making the team a heavy favourite to secure a place in the Semifinal. 

Having won EWC 2026 and navigated the TI 2026 Group Stage without dropping even a single series, Team Vision have done little to weaken their status as the tournament favourite. If anything, their flawless run has only strengthened the case that this could be the team to beat in Shanghai.

We’re the first to advance to the playoffs of The International 2026

Принц прибыл pic.twitter.com/73NOZVQMf4

— PARIVISION Dota 2 (@PARIVISIONdota2) August 15, 2026

CS2: The stage is set for EWC 2026 Playoffs 

Following a Group Stage full of surprise upsets, the 16 teams competing in Counter-Strike 2’s EWC Playoffs have now been decided. However, the biggest talking point is not simply who qualified, but how some of the favourites have landed in the bracket.

Shock defeats for Team Vitality against B8 and Team Spirit against JieJieHao have placed both powerhouse rosters on the same side of the bracket as reigning IEM Cologne Major champs Team Falcons. As a result, only one of the three can advance to the Grand Final.

ZywOo fires Vitality into the Playoffs

Despite their earlier setback, Vitality showed little sign of pressure in the elimination match against Lynn Vision Gaming.

French superstar ZywOo led the charge by posting a clinical performance, including a 1v3 clutch and an enormous 140 ADR across the series. Vitality swept Lynn Vision 2–0 to keep their EWC campaign alive and book a place in the Knockout Stage.

Team Vitality now faces the tricky task of defeating an in-form FaZe Clan in the Round of 16. At 2/7 (1.29), the French organisation has an implied probability of 77.8% of advancing, while FaZe Clan enter as 5/2 (3.5) underdogs despite sweeping Legacy in their final Group Stage match.

PRIME ZYWOO JOINED THE SERVER 🚨

1vs3 🤯 pic.twitter.com/HyE5usa9Eo

— Team Vitality CS (@TeamVitalityCS) August 16, 2026

Falcons, Spirit and Vitality face a brutal path

Elsewhere, Team Spirit open their campaign against B8, while Team Falcons prepare to face The MongolZ. Both Spirit and Falcons are priced at 2/9 (1.22), giving each an implied probability of 81.8% of advancing to the Quarterfinals.

Those matchups might look favourable on paper, but the wider bracket leaves little room for error. With Spirit, Vitality, and Falcons all occupying the same half, many of the tournament’s strongest teams could be forced to eliminate one another long before they even reach the Grand Final.

Vitality and Spirit have both looked vulnerable during the Group Stage, which could leave the door wide open for Falcons. Following a successful campaign in Cologne, the reigning Major champions enter the Playoffs with another opportunity to prove they can turn recent success into a sustained period of dominance.

Jon Nicholson, Freelance Writer

Jonno is a veteran esports journalist with over a decade of experience in covering the world of competitive gaming. Since starting in 2014, he’s covered the biggest events for outlets including Esports Insider, GGRecon, Gfinity, and Siege.GG. When he’s not writing, he can be found sim racing with varying degrees of success.

All Posts By Jon Nicholson