Competition basics
Understand tournament formats
Tournament format affects preparation, scheduling and the number of chances a team has to recover.
Elimination brackets
Single elimination removes a team after a lost series. Double elimination gives teams a lower-bracket route before their next elimination. Read the event-specific rules for finals.
Group and league play
Teams may play a group schedule before advancing. Check how points, ties and head-to-head results are calculated; these details can affect the final standings.
Series and check-in rules
A best-of series can include several games or maps. Confirm vetoes, side selection, start times, late-arrival rules and how results must be reported.