Jubilation as FlyQuest completes lower bracket run, locks in Shanghai Major spot

Written by Joshua "OnlyJoshin" Warmington

FlyQuest is IN and the stickers are secured! FlyQuest fans are elated after heart-racing back-and-forth action on their campaign for the Shanghai Major. After a shocking loss to Talon where people were dumbfounded on how FlyQuest would even make it, a dominant display against GR showed that a lower bracket run was possible.

DRILLAS put up a massive resistance and dragged FlyQuest into a long and grueling Bo3 on the final day, but the boys overcame the European lineup and avenged Grayhound (themselves) from Copenhagen to book their tickets to the Major.

It was a massive series for both teams as the loser of this series would most likely be making roster moves after the Major. Thankfully, it wasn’t FlyQuest! FlyQuest cruised on Nuke and held their nerve on Vertigo to win the series in a clean 2-0.

Vexite was an absolute stalwart through their entire campaign with a massive 4K to send map three against DRILLAS into overtime. INS was consistent across the entire campaign after a slow start against Talon and ended as the highest-rated player in FlyQuest with an overall rating of 1.26.

This will be erKast’s first major as a coach and adds another notch to his belt after the ESL Challenger Atlanta victory. The addition of JTR as an analyst has also been absolutely crucial. It feels that FlyQuest has lifted another gear, especially in their composure with their mid-to-late-round decision-making.

The FlyQuest roster can now breathe easy. It was heavily rumoured that should they not qualify for the Shanghai Major, there would be roster changes. The feeling of relief is only temporary, however, as FlyQuest will have heavier expectations placed upon them going into the main event next week and into the next year.

The overall CS2 scene changes in 2025 where the Valve Regional Standings will be used for direct invites. The discretional direct invite and the open/closed qualifiers will become rare and, at least in the case of the RMRs already, a thing of the past.

FlyQuest is currently 23rd in the world and would likely only receive invitations from the Asia Rankings or if enough global teams decline the invitation. This major will be crucial in potentially securing enough points to be in the top 16 and receiving those direct invites in the future.

But for now, we can safely yell “YEAH, THE BOYS!”

The Shanghai Major Opening Stage begins on 30th November.