What are the European Masters?
- Twice a year, at the end of each split, each of the European Regional League sends two to three teams to represent them in a two-phase tournament, a bit like Worlds or MSI.
- Each league has a number of seeds depending on the past performances of its representatives, allowing either direct access to the Main Event, or a compulsory passage through the Play-In Stage.
Calendar
- Play-In Stage: March 29 - April 01
- Main Event: April 14 - May 02
Format
Play-In Stage
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Group Stage
The 16 qualified teams are divided into 4 groups, which compete in a round trip format in Best of 1 . The top two teams from each group advance to the Knockout Stage.
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Knockout Stage
The 8 teams advancing from the Group Stage are divided into 4 matches between the first-place team of one group against the second-place team from another, in a best-of-three series. The winners advance to the Main Event.
Main Event
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Group Stage
The 16 qualified teams (12 direct access + 4 Play-In qualifiers) are divided into 4 groups according to their initial seeding, then compete in a single round-robin format . The top two teams from each group advance to the Knockout Stage .
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Knockout Stage.
The 8 teams advancing from the Group Stage join a single-elimination tournament bracket, after drawing lots for the quarter-finals. With the exception of the Final, which is played as a best-of-five, all matches are best-of-three,