Valve Implements New Rules for T1 and T2 Tournament Invites

Valve has updated the rules for tournament invitations, revising the system for invites, seeding, and Wildcard invitations. The new requirements will significantly change the landscape of T1 and T2 tournaments, enhancing competition and transparency in team selection.

The main change affects tier-2 tournaments – they will no longer be able to invite teams from the top 12 of the global rankings, giving less successful teams a chance. Meanwhile, the number of direct invites to tier-1 tournaments has increased from 16 to 20.

The deadlines for tournament announcements have also been revised. Starting in 2027, organizers are required to announce a tournament 22 months before it begins (previously 24). The timeframe for providing additional tournament information has been reduced from 12 to 10 months.

Obtaining a Wildcard invitation is now more challenging. A team must be ranked below 12th position in all VRS rankings, including regional ones. Additionally, they must meet at least one of the following conditions:

At least three players on the roster were previously part of the top-12 teams by VRS ranking invites in the last six months.
The team placed first or second in a tournament of a similar or lower level in the last six months.
Organizers must now specify the exact visa requirements for the tournament's host country. Instead of indicating a region (such as Europe or North America), the announcement must clearly state whether players need a US visa, a Schengen visa, or another type of entry permit.