Natus Vincere became the next entry into the race for the sixth season of ESL Grand Slam following their victory at ESL Pro League Season 23.
They have now joined Vitality , Spirit and FURIA in the competition for the $1 million prize.
To clinch it, Natus Vincere would need to win three more ESL events, including one of the ESL Pro Tour Championship events in Cologne or Krakow.
That will prove a difficult task given that Vitality are just one win away from their second Grand Slam and have three chances to do so before the end of the first 2026 season at IEM Rio, IEM Atlanta and IEM Cologne Major.
But however unlikely, Natus Vincere will be the best positioned to attempt to deny Dan "apEX" Madesclaire and company the win, as they will be in attendance at all three.
You can see how the race has unfolded below:
IEM Dallas 2025 - Vitality IEM Cologne 2025 - Spirit ESL Pro League S22 - Vitality IEM Chengdu 2025 - FURIA IEM Krakow 2026 - Vitality ESL Pro League S23 - Natus Vincere
IEM Rio 2026 IEM Atlanta 2026 IEM Cologne Major 2026