THE FINALS: THE ROAD TO ESPORTS - EPISODE 3

Hey Contestants,

The wait is over! We’ve got everything you need to know about how THE FINALS is preparing to make its launch into esports this year!

It’s official. The format is locked in and The Grand Major is coming!

Let’s break down everything there is to know...

THE GRAND MAJOR - NOV 28 - 29

DreamHack Stockholm | $100,000 Prize Pool | 16 Teams | 1 Winner

TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW - TL;DR

OPEN QUALIFIERS (NA & EMEA)

Start: August 30th & September 6th
Format: Single Elimination (Bo3)
Mode: Final Round (3v3)
Two chances per region: 8 teams qualify per qualifier
Total advancing per region: 16 teams

Open Qualifiers - Seeding:
All teams start on equal footing. Seeding is randomized to ensure fairness, and all three heats are played in a Final Round, best-of-three. This gives every team, from seasoned competitors to fresh challengers, a chance to prove where they stand.

Open Qualifiers - Elimination:
Win your matches and survive the bracket to reach the final eight teams standing. Each region gets two full qualifier chances, with the top eight teams from each earning a slot in the Closed Qualifier. That’s 16 teams per region, ready to move forward.

CLOSED QUALIFIERS (NA & EMEA)

Format: Hybrid Elimination
Modes:

Cashout (3v3v3v3)
Final Round (3v3)

Qualified teams advance to The Grand Major:

7 slots for NA
6 slots for EMEA

Closed Qualifiers:
The 16 teams from each region will face off in a hybrid elimination format across two distinct modes: Cashout (3v3v3v3) and Final Round (3v3). Performance across both modes determines advancement. The top 7 teams from NA and 6 from EMEA earn invitations to The Grand Major, based on regional player base distribution.

APAC QUALIFIERS

Run by our partners Nexon & Tencent for localization support
3 slots awarded for The Grand Major
Local formats/rules may vary but global standards still apply

Operated by Nexon & Tencent, the APAC pathway will follow a separate structure suited to the region. While match formats and seeding may differ, all players are expected to adhere to global eligibility and conduct rules. APAC will send 3 teams to The Grand Major.

*Image above is the Closed Qualifier for EMEA, NA features a slightly different set of last games.*

THE GRAND MAJOR FORMAT

Day 1 – Group Stage

16 teams compete in Cashout and Final Round
Only 8 teams survive to Day 2

All 16 qualified teams meet in Stockholm to battle it out in a hybrid format that mixes Cashout and Final Round gameplay. This first day is about proving consistency, skill and teamwork across both game modes. Only 8 teams will survive to compete in Day 2.

Day 2 – Championship Playoffs

The Final 8 battle it out for glory
One team will walk away as THE GRAND MAJOR CHAMPION

The second day of The Grand Major is all about “Reaching THE FINALS.” This round will follow a Hybrid Elimination format, narrowing us down to the final four teams.

“THE FINALS” is the ultimate challenge for the top teams, focusing on consistency. These teams will first compete in a Cashout match, with the top two teams advancing to a Best-of-2 Final Round. Each match win in the Final Round earns one point. After each Final Round, all four teams return to the next Cashout match, and the cycle repeats. The first team to reach five points will be crowned The Grand Major Champion.

KEY RULES & REMINDERS

Three starting players on each team that qualify will be provided with accommodation and flights.
You must sign up and create your team via the FACEIT platform once registration is open on August 14th.
Competing players need to read the full Rulebooks Here (Global + Grand Major).

COMING SOON

Open Qualifier registration links.
Broadcast schedule.
Talent reveals.
Behind-the-scenes content.

GET READY TO DROP IN

We told you to get your teams ready, now is the time to show your skill.
It’s time to make your name known in the arena.
It’s time to show the world what you’ve got.
The road to esports ends in Stockholm, but now - your journey begins.

SEE YOU AT THE MAJOR.

~Oscar & Luke