FaZe Clan and North were new Legends, replacing FlipSid3 Tactics and Team Liquid, who failed to make it past the group stage.

Astralis had defeated Natus Vincere and Fnatic in the playoff stage, while Virtus.pro had beaten North and defending champions SK Gaming.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is a multiplayer first-person shooter video game developed by Hidden Path Entertainment and Valve.

The remaining eight spots were filled by teams that advanced from the ELEAGUE Major Main Qualifier.

Two teams each from the Asia, North America, Europe, and CIS Minors also competed in the Main Qualifier.

[9] Perhaps the biggest change was Team Dignitas and the Philadelphia 76ers and their players and coach mutually parting ways and the organizations announced plans to build a North American roster; in addition, it plans to invest into positions such as a sports psychologist and a nutritionist.

[10][11][12] The coach, Casper "ruggah" Due, said, despite "competitive offers," the roster decided to leave the team.

[13] Roughly a day later, the team is reported to sign with the Danish football (soccer) club F.C.

The eight teams to win three (out of a possible five) games were granted "Legend" status and an automatic invitation to the next Major.

This was the first Major in which GODSENT players Robin "flusha" Rönnquist and Jesper "JW" Wecksell did not advance to the playoffs, after losing to North in the fifth round and placing 9th.

Natus Vincere and Virtus.pro were the top seeds after the group stage, and would face a random opponent from the pool of Astralis, FaZe Clan, and North (the teams who finished 3–2).

The remaining two teams, SK Gaming and FaZe Clan, were then paired to finalize the bracket.

Casters: James Bardolph & ddk The first game of the playoffs in the Fox Theatre pitted Natus Vincere and Astralis against each other.

Virtus.pro, however, had been to and won a Major final at EMS One Katowice 2014, defeating the Ninjas in Pyjamas two games to zero.

After a strong Virtus.pro start, Astralis made a late comeback, tying the score at 14 and taking their first lead at 15–14.

After winning the final round of regulation, Astralis was crowned the champion of the ELEAGUE Atlanta Major.

Kjaerbye had 29 kills in the final map,[25][26] and was named the Major MVP; he became the youngest player to earn the title.

[28] †Change since January 23, 2017 ranking ELEAGUE announced a televised rematch, dubbed the "Clash for Cash", between the two finalists on June 16, 2017.