diff --git a/src/modules/Playerbot/Lifecycle/Instance/QueueStatePoller.cpp b/src/modules/Playerbot/Lifecycle/Instance/QueueStatePoller.cpp
index dda8bf774..43293d40c 100644
--- a/src/modules/Playerbot/Lifecycle/Instance/QueueStatePoller.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/Playerbot/Lifecycle/Instance/QueueStatePoller.cpp
@@ -438,9 +438,11 @@ void QueueStatePoller::DoPollBGQueue(BattlegroundTypeId bgTypeId, BattlegroundBr
 
     BattlegroundQueue& queue = sBattlegroundMgr->GetBattlegroundQueue(queueTypeId);
 
-    // Read queue counts (READ-ONLY API)
-    uint32 allianceCount = queue.GetPlayersInQueue(TEAM_ALLIANCE);
-    uint32 hordeCount = queue.GetPlayersInQueue(TEAM_HORDE);
+    // Read queue counts using the correct function that counts from m_QueuedGroups
+    // CRITICAL FIX: GetPlayersInQueue() returns from selection pool (matchmaking only)
+    // GetQueuedPlayersCount() returns actual queued players for the specific bracket
+    uint32 allianceCount = queue.GetQueuedPlayersCount(TEAM_ALLIANCE, bracket);
+    uint32 hordeCount = queue.GetQueuedPlayersCount(TEAM_HORDE, bracket);
 
     // Get requirements from template (READ-ONLY)
     BattlegroundTemplate const* bgTemplate = sBattlegroundMgr->GetBattlegroundTemplateByTypeId(bgTypeId);
diff --git a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/BattlegroundQueue.cpp b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/BattlegroundQueue.cpp
index 1cf44b7a6..53a0129db 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/BattlegroundQueue.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/BattlegroundQueue.cpp
@@ -422,6 +422,34 @@ uint32 BattlegroundQueue::GetPlayersInQueue(TeamId id)
     return m_SelectionPools[id].GetPlayerCount();
 }
 
+uint32 BattlegroundQueue::GetQueuedPlayersCount(TeamId teamId, BattlegroundBracketId bracketId) const
+{
+    // Count players from the actual queue, not the selection pool
+    // Selection pool is only populated during matchmaking
+    uint32 count = 0;
+
+    // Determine which queue type to check based on team
+    uint32 queueType = (teamId == TEAM_ALLIANCE) ? BG_QUEUE_NORMAL_ALLIANCE : BG_QUEUE_NORMAL_HORDE;
+
+    // Count players in normal queue for this bracket
+    for (GroupQueueInfo const* ginfo : m_QueuedGroups[bracketId][queueType])
+    {
+        // Only count players not already invited to a BG
+        if (!ginfo->IsInvitedToBGInstanceGUID)
+            count += static_cast<uint32>(ginfo->Players.size());
+    }
+
+    // Also check premade queue for this team
+    queueType = (teamId == TEAM_ALLIANCE) ? BG_QUEUE_PREMADE_ALLIANCE : BG_QUEUE_PREMADE_HORDE;
+    for (GroupQueueInfo const* ginfo : m_QueuedGroups[bracketId][queueType])
+    {
+        if (!ginfo->IsInvitedToBGInstanceGUID)
+            count += static_cast<uint32>(ginfo->Players.size());
+    }
+
+    return count;
+}
+
 bool BattlegroundQueue::InviteGroupToBG(GroupQueueInfo* ginfo, Battleground* bg, Team side)
 {
     // set side if needed
diff --git a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/BattlegroundQueue.h b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/BattlegroundQueue.h
index 65c4c9d57..e542e4edc 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/BattlegroundQueue.h
+++ b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/BattlegroundQueue.h
@@ -121,6 +121,9 @@ class TC_GAME_API BattlegroundQueue
         SelectionPool m_SelectionPools[PVP_TEAMS_COUNT];
         uint32 GetPlayersInQueue(TeamId id);
 
+        // Count all queued players for a specific team and bracket (not just selection pool)
+        uint32 GetQueuedPlayersCount(TeamId teamId, BattlegroundBracketId bracketId) const;
+
         BattlegroundQueueTypeId GetQueueId() const { return m_queueId; }
     private: