Put your Elo to the test with new qualifiers fast-tracking you to higher divisions in the ESEA League!

One frustration we heard from higher-skill players was they do not want to waste their time restarting in the ESEA Open division when they split from their old teams or form new rosters. Also, teams that genuinely belong in our lowest division, who are just beginning their competitive journey, often don’t want to play against these experienced rosters who completely outclass them. We have tried several times, with varying success, to address this feedback while simultaneously trying to provide a fair qualification system without undermining the achievements of teams who already earned their higher division spots. Today, we’re ready to unveil our next iteration as we prepare for Season 46 in August, on FACEIT! If you have enough Elo, follow the process at the bottom of this blog and open a ticket here, to enter free qualifiers and earn a spot in a higher division for Season 46!

Free To Enter, for those with enough Elo!

Using FACEIT’s Elo, the recognized benchmark of players’ individual play, we will run qualifiers for our higher divisions of the ESEA League. To take part, players must have all five players with their Elo above the threshold to participate. This will prevent these qualifiers from running late into the night, packed with teams who would be unlikely to succeed in the division, anyway. There’s still a bit of time to grind if you don’t have enough Elo yet!

The thresholds to participate are:

• Intermediate Qualifiers: All players above 2,000 Elo
• Main Qualifiers: All players above 2,500 Elo
• Advanced Qualifiers: All players above 3,000 Elo

No Subs Allowed and Roster Requirements To Keep Qualified Spots

In previous fast-track qualifiers, players were concerned that some of their opponents did not intend to participate in the season, and were just trying to boost their friends in the qualifiers. For these new qualifiers, substitutes will not be allowed, and to retain their spot, the team will need to use all 5 out of 5 players from the qualifiers in 3 out of their first 4 matches in Season 46. Teams who do not meet these requirements will have their matches forfeited in line with our hijack policy. With the move to FACEIT, all players should compete on their main accounts as new details will be announced in the future that will help curb smurf/alt accounts competing in the ESEA League.

Players already competing in the same or higher division should not participate in the relevant qualifiers. For example, if your team has an Advanced slot already, you should not participate in any qualifier. If your team is in Main, you should not play in Main or Intermediate qualifiers.

Get Ready To Put Your Elo To The Test

The schedule will be as follows, with each cup lasting a day with a single elimination, best-of-one structure.

August 1st

• Europe Advanced Qualifier: 18:00 CEST — 1st place qualifies
• North America Advanced Qualifier: 18:00 EDT — 1st place qualifies

August 2nd

• Europe Advanced Qualifier: 18:00 CEST — 1st place qualifies
• North America Advanced Qualifier: 18:00 EDT - 1st place qualifies

August 3rd

• Europe Main Qualifier: 18:00 CEST — top 8 qualifies
• North America Main Qualifier: 18:00 EDT - top 8 qualifies

August 4th

• Europe Main Qualifier: 18:00 CEST — top 8 qualifies
• North America Main Qualifier: 18:00 EDT — top 8 qualifies

August 5th

• Europe Intermediate Qualifier: 18:00 CEST — top 16 qualifies
• North America Intermediate Qualifier: 18:00 EDT — top 16 qualifies

August 6th

• Europe Intermediate Qualifier: 18:00 CEST — top 16 qualifies
• North America Intermediate Qualifier: 18:00 EDT — top 16 qualifies

How To Take Part

To sign up, the team leader should open a support ticket here with the following information and contact reason set to “ESEA”. Our support team will then check each player’s Elo, and invite you to the tournament, if you are eligible.

• Qualifier:
• Team Page:
• Player 1:
• Player 2:
• Player 3:
• Player 4:
• Player 5:
• (If required) Coach:

For example:

• Qualifier: Advanced 1st & 2nd Europe
• Team Page: https://www.faceit.com/en/teams/9a0cc311-1e54-4c71-9afb-92f3434e34da
• Player 1: https://www.faceit.com/en/players/aluminati
• Player 2: https://www.faceit.com/en/players/aluminati
• Player 3: https://www.faceit.com/en/players/aluminati
• Player 4: https://www.faceit.com/en/players/aluminati
• Player 5: https://www.faceit.com/en/players/aluminati
• (If required) Coach: https://www.faceit.com/en/players/aluminati

We look forward to hearing your feedback and continuing to adjust our formats to create more balanced divisions and provide better opportunities for you to advance your Counter-strike Career! Grab your teammates, and start getting ready for Season 46, starting in August, on FACEIT!