Ground Zero Gaming Crowned Champions of Marvel Rivals Ignite 2025 Oceania: Stage 1
- Tung "Ginn" Duong
- Jun 25
- 2 min read
The Oceania leg of Marvel Rivals Ignite 2025 Stage 1 wrapped up on June 22, becoming the first region to complete both the Group Stage and Playoffs. Oceania featured eight top Marvel Rivals teams, a $75,000 prize pool, and one spot in Mid-Season Finals slots. It delivered intense competition and set a high standard for the global circuit.
Marvel Rivals Ignite 2025 Oceania Stage 1:Group Stage & Playoff Summary
Group A featured two of Oceania's top squads: Ground Zero Gaming and Kanga Esports. GZG dominated the group with a flawless 3–0 record, not dropping a single map. Their clean team coordination and decisive rotations set them apart. Kanga Esports, with a strong 2–1 finish, proved themselves a tactical force, while Quetzal showed moments of promise but couldn't convert close maps into series wins.
Group B was headlined by The Vicious, who went undefeated in both matches and maps, 6–0 overall. Their explosive early-game control and confident engagements made them nearly untouchable in groups. Bethany followed closely behind, earning a 2–1 record through disciplined, methodical play. Zavier Hope narrowly missed the playoffs despite a competitive showing.
In the Playoffs, Ground Zero Gaming crushed Bethany in the Quarterfinals 3–0 with clinical teamfights and smart map setups. Meanwhile, Kanga Esports shocked The Vicious in the Upper Bracket Final with a 3–1 upset, outmanoeuvring them with smart flanks and cooldown management. But The Vicious didn't go down easily. Regrouping in the Lower Bracket, they bounced back with a dominant win to secure their Grand Final rematch against GZG.
Grand Final: Ground Zero Gaming vs The Vicious – A Championship Clash
The Bo7 Grand Final delivered the drama that fans hoped for. Ground Zero Gaming came out strong, securing the opening map through decisive teamfights and textbook rotations. But The Vicious responded fiercely, taking the following two maps and flipping the momentum in their favour. At 2–1, it looked like The Vicious were on track to complete a heroic lower-bracket run.
Yet, champions are defined by how they respond to pressure. GZG refused to yield. With composed shot-calling, tight coordination, and smart counter-drafting, they rallied back. Their tank line held firm in chaotic teamfights, while the backline, anchored by Mattyaf's precision eliminations, turned the tide.
Winning three maps in a row, Ground Zero executed a stunning reverse sweep, clinching the series 4–2 and cementing their status as Oceania's undisputed #1 team. Their ability to adapt mid-series, control tempo, and stay calm under pressure highlighted why they were favourites from the start. For The Vicious, it was a bittersweet ending—so close to glory, yet a reminder of how fine the margins can be at the top level.
The result not only earned GZG the Oceania Stage 1 title and $30,000 in prize money, but also qualification to Stage 2 and the Mid-Season Finals, where they'll face off against the best teams from around the globe. The top four teams from Stage 1 have also booked a slot in Stage 2.
Total Prize Pool: $75,000, distributed as follows:
1st Ground Zero Gaming – $30,000 + Mid-Season Finals slot
2nd The Vicious – $15,000
3rd Kanga Esports – $9,000
4th Bethany – $6,000
5–6th Quetzal & Zavier Hope – $4,500 each
7–8th Pig Team & Gappped – $3,000 each