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Alliance has defeated Ninjas in Pyjamas at the XSE Pro League Guangzhou 2026, pushing one of Counter-Strike’s most storied organizations to the edge of elimination from the $1 million tournament.
What happened in Guangzhou
The XSE Pro League Guangzhou is classified as a Tier 1 LAN event, which in esports terms means it sits at the highest level of competitive play.
The $1 million prize pool has attracted a roster of elite teams. FaZe, BetBoom, and 9z are among the organizations competing alongside Alliance and NIP, making Guangzhou one of the more stacked events on the 2026 calendar.
NIP, meanwhile, finds itself in an uncomfortable position. The Ninjas in Pyjamas brand carries enormous weight in Counter-Strike, dating back to an era when the original Swedish lineup went on an 87-map winning streak that still gets talked about like a sporting myth.
What this means for investors watching esports
The esports betting market adds another dimension worth watching. Prediction markets on platforms like Coinbase Predictions and Kalshi have started incorporating esports matchups, blending the worlds of traditional sports wagering with competitive gaming.
This particular tournament has no blockchain-related sponsorships or token-based elements, which suggests that established esports organizations and tournament operators are still cautious about embracing digital assets as part of their revenue models.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
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