M8 reveals expanded Wild Card format and Istanbul championship venues

M8 reveals expanded Wild Card format and Istanbul championship venues

MOONTON Games has unveiled the format and venues for the M8 World Championship, confirming an expanded qualification stage in Bangkok before the competition moves to Istanbul for the M Series’ first European edition.

The tournament will feature a US$1 million prize pool, with three teams progressing from the Wild Card to complete a 16-team Main Stage.

Ten teams contest three Wild Card places

The Bangkok stage will divide Ten teams into two groups of five for a best-of-one round robin. Each group winner will qualify directly for Istanbul.

The second- and third-placed teams will enter a cross-group, best-of-five elimination bracket to determine the final qualifier. The expansion increases both the number of participating Wild Card teams and the available Main Stage places compared with M7.

Swiss stage leads into double elimination

In Istanbul, teams must record three Swiss-stage victories to reach the playoffs, while three defeats will eliminate them. Eight teams will advance.

The knockout bracket will use double elimination, beginning with best-of-three series before moving to best-of-five matches and a best-of-seven grand final.

ESA Espor Arena will host knockout competition from 14–19 January 2027, with Ora Arena selected for the championship showdown. The event extends the M Series across two continents as regional leagues complete their qualification campaigns.