“Mongolia is on PGL's radar, and we are interested in exploring what a future PGL event in Ulaanbaatar could look like"

During the PGL Astana 2026 esports tournament, the 1xBet team spoke with the organisers and players from The MongolZ. The main topic of discussion was how ready Mongolia is to host its own esports event and when fans might finally see PGL Ulaanbaatar become a reality. 

For many years, European and North American teams dominated the Counter-Strike esports scene. Tournament organisers held the vast majority of events in those regions. Still, the rapid rise of The MongolZ over the last three years has proven that Mongolia is ready to host its first big competition.

The organisation’s early victories at YaLLa Compass 2024 and the Thunderpick World Championship 2024 established The MongolZ as one of the most promising new contenders. Their Esports World Cup 2025 title and runner-up finish at the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 ultimately cemented the squad’s place among the elite of global esports.

It’s not just empty words: in September 2025, The MongolZ topped both the Valve and HLTV rankings, officially becoming the world’s number-one Counter-Strike team. In just a few years, Mongolia transformed from a developing esports region into a full-fledged force on the global stage.

“PGL has been closely tracking the development of Mongolian esports, and we share the global view that it is one of the most exciting emerging scenes in the discipline today. The MongolZ have not only achieved results that any organization in the world would be proud of, but have also become genuine ambassadors for Mongolia on the international stage. Their performances have made it impossible to discuss the next generation of Counter-Strike without including Mongolia,” said PGL Esports.

Supported by the official partner 1xBet, The MongolZ have become the driving force behind Mongolia’s rising prominence on the global esports map. The players also shared a brief interview, warmly welcoming the idea of hosting PGL Ulaanbaatar: 

• Do you believe Mongolia is ready to host an event on the level of PGL Astana 2026? 

“With the support of PGL staff, we’re positive that the event will be a success. If we’re talking about being “ready”, no one truly is the first time. We just have to step up and give it our best; it’s a leap of faith. But it’s best if we hold the event during the summer or autumn months, in our opinion,” commented The MongolZ.

• If a PGL tournament were held in Mongolia, what kind of atmosphere could fans expect? 

“We would imagine that it might be closer to the vibes of Thunderpick WC2024. The crowd was smaller compared to other events, but the whole arena cheered for us; it felt like home. Playing in front of a hometown crowd would be amazing, and we’ll push ourselves to win that tournament,” said The MongolZ.

The Horde fan movement: Cultural phenomenon 

The MongolZ, the country’s top esports organisation, has become a true source of inspiration for Mongolian fans. With the support of 1xBet, murals dedicated to The MongolZ players appeared in central Ulaanbaatar, while the team began receiving invitations to popular television shows and members of the roster were featured on the covers of fashion magazines.

During the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 grand final, where The MongolZ battled Vitality for the title, thousands of fans filled the streets of Mongolia’s capital in the middle of the night to root for their heroes.

The team’s most dedicated supporters, backed by 1xBet and The MongolZ themselves, created The Horde – a fan movement that has since become a cultural phenomenon. The Horde attended PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026, where they showed the entire arena what true live support should look like: energetic chants, thunderous drums, and charismatic fans creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

At PGL Astana 2026, The Horde delivered an entirely new performance that became one of the tournament’s most emotional highlights. The group now dreams of bringing that same experience to its home country, as PGL Astana was more than just a trip – it became a reference point for what a major esports event in Mongolia could look like.

“What stands out just as much, from an organiser's perspective, is the audience. Mongolian fans have shown a level of engagement, presence, and identity that is increasingly rare — and exactly the kind of community energy that makes a city compelling as a host destination,” noted PGL Esports.

Mongolia is ready to host international-level tournaments 

When selecting potential host locations, tournament organisers consider several key factors: the popularity of esports, the presence of strong local teams, the strength of the fan community, and the region’s appeal to international visitors.

Mongolia excels in each of these areas, especially the last one. Mongolians are known for their hospitality and willingness to share their vibrant national culture with guests. Ulaanbaatar also offers several suitable venues for major events, including M Bank Arena, AIC Steppe Arena, and Wrestling Palace.

PGL is one of the world’s leading tournament operators specialising in international esports competitions. In recent years, the company has hosted events in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Astana, and later this year it will organise a major tournament in Singapore. PGL has already announced several large-scale competitions for 2027-2028, while continuing to search for new countries and venues for future events. If all the pieces come together, fans may soon witness PGL Ulaanbaatar 2027 or PGL Ulaanbaatar 2028.

“Bringing a top-tier international tournament to a new market requires the right combination of venue infrastructure, broadcast logistics, travel and accommodation capacity, and committed local partners. These are conversations that take time to mature. That said, we want to be direct: Mongolia is on PGL's radar, and we are interested in exploring what a future PGL event in Ulaanbaatar could look like. We welcome dialogue with stakeholders in Mongolia — institutional, commercial, and community — who share that ambition.

PGL is proud of what we just delivered in Astana, and the response from across Central and Northeast Asia has only reinforced our conviction that this region deserves more from the global esports calendar. Mongolia is very much part of that future picture for us,” commented PGL Esports.

The active support of 1xBet esports for The MongolZ team and The Horde fan movement is not only helping develop Mongolia’s esports ecosystem, but also bringing the country closer to the moment when a major CS2 tournament will finally take place on Mongolian soil. 

• Are you ready for a major-level tournament in Mongolia? 

“We are ready, The MongolZ are ready, Mongolian fans are more than ready. Are you ready?” The MongolZ.