The PMGC 2025 season has reached one of its pinnacles, with the Gauntlet Stage completed and the first seven teams officially confirmed for the Grand Finals. The first elimination phase tested every team to its limits, and only the squads that adjusted quickly, remained steady under pressure, and made bold decisions throughout the matches were able to survive.
The Gauntlet was meant to be unforgiving. Teams had little time to prepare for the Grand Finals, as there were only seven direct tickets. Strong rotations, sharp fights, and smart zone reading all played a role in determining who stayed and who went to the next round. Now, the top teams will prepare to travel to Bangkok in December to compete for the PMGC 2025 world title.
The first 7 PMGC 2025 Grand Finalists
During the Gauntlet, these teams stood out for their consistent finishes and smart gameplay.
- R8 Esports
- ThunderTalk Gaming
- MadBulls
- Kara Esports
- Alpha7 Esports
- ULF Esports
- D’Xavier
Each of these teams qualified in their own way. R8 Esports appeared confident on nearly every map, making calm decisions even in tight circles. ThunderTalk Gaming impressed with their control in late-game scenarios. MadBulls and Kara Esports relied on quick rotations to gain an advantage over their opponents. Alpha7 relied on the experience of their veteran core to maintain consistency from the beginning. Meanwhile, ULF Esports and D’Xavier demonstrated dominant mid-game pressure, clearing fights quickly when it counted the most.
Together, these seven teams have gained a significant advantage: more time to prepare, review strategies, and adapt to the upcoming Grand Finals meta.
What the Gauntlet Results Mean
With only seven of the sixteen Grand Finals slots confirmed, the tournament is now entering its most intense phase. The remaining nine positions will be determined during the Group Stage and Last Chance rounds. These stages will feature region champions as well as top-performing squads from around the world vying for a spot among the finalists.
Teams that have already qualified can now focus on strategy and research their upcoming opponents. At the same time, their impressive performances raise expectations for the upcoming phases. Teams still in the race will need to reconsider their strategy, especially now that giants like Alpha7 and D’Xavier have advanced.
Every match from here on becomes critical. One bad day can cost a team the entire tournament.
Also Read: PMGC 2025 Group Stage Schedule: Groups, Format, And Teams
