• 2.16.1 Determining the “better seed”

Whenever a clear seeding can be given, one participant will be declared the “better seed”. This participant then has the choice of who starts the map-veto process.

• In online qualifiers, the tournament seeding (see round one of the upper bracket) determines who has the better seed.
• For preliminary stages (e.g. Play-In or Conference), a clear seeding will be implemented and it will remain valid for the duration of that whole stage 

• For group stages, a clear seeding will be implemented and it will remain valid for the duration of that whole stage. Where a group stage is preceded by a preliminary stage, the results of that stage will be taken into account during the group draw

• For any other competition format, if a clear seeding is implemented (e.g. in the bracket draw), it will remain valid for the duration of that whole stage (excluding the grand final)

• In playoffs that follow upon a previous round that gave a clear ranking, the participant that had the higher previous round ranking is considered the “better seed” until the grand final. Where a “better seed” cannot be established, i.e, when two group winners face each other in a semi-final, a coin toss will be used to determine it.
• In a single elimination grand final and a double elimination final with no map advantage, a coin toss is used to determine the “better seed” team. In a double elimination final with a map advantage, the team coming from the lower bracket is considered the “better seed”

If a case is not covered here or still unclear for any reason, contact the tournament administration.

• 2.26 Deadlines

Communications from ESL (either via email or sent via an instant messaging service while at an event) which include deadlines are considered to be an extension of this rulebook, and all other ESL Pro Tour CS Rulebooks, and must be adhered to as such.

• 4.11 Setup period

A setup period, encompassing setup of peripherals, settings and warming up, of thirty (30) minutes is normally provided before an offline match, although this period is not guaranteed. The exact time available for setup will be relayed to teams when they arrive at the tournament area.

Both teams will be offered the same amount of setup time and will only be allowed into the tournament area at the same time. An exception to this is when one (1) participant is late due to something within their control (i.e., arriving late for their shuttle). Where a participant is late due to circumstances not within their control (i.e., traffic on route to the tournament venue), the other participant will not be given access to the tournament area until they are both on site. 

Any time spent away from the tournament area during this thirty (30) minute period will still be considered as part of the setup period. Additional setup time may be given, at the discretion of the lead referee, if a technical issue arises over the course of the setup period that could not have been foreseen beforehand. Any technical issues caused by player equipment (i.e., peripherals or in-ears) will not result in extra setup time being given, nor will it be given for technical issues that arise after a player has chosen not to start setting up when the tournament area was opened for them.

• 4.7 Arrival day

Participants must arrive at the player hotel by the date designated as the Arrival Date by ESL. Where a participant refuses to arrive on that date, a minimum fine of $2,000 will be given, increasing based on the disruption caused to any scheduled activities for the participant. In cases where ESL deems the reasoning for a delayed arrival to be unacceptable, disqualification and replacement of the participant will be possible. Fines will not be given in the case of delayed travel due to circumstances beyond the control of the participant, nor when a participant lives locally and is not staying at the player hotel.

• 4.14 ESL Provided Areas

Participants must follow all restrictions of the venue, hotel and country when access is provided by ESL. This applies to participants who are no longer a part of the tournament, in the same way that it does to those still competing in it. Only marketing activities that have been authorised by ESL are allowed in any ESL provided areas (e.g. tournament areas, practice rooms, hotel rooms etc.).

• 5.10.1 Public behaviour

All participants shall abstain, at all times, from poor, undesirable, or negative behaviour towards anybody involved with the competition in any way.

All participants shall abstain, at all times, from any action or inaction, illegal or otherwise, that could bring anybody involved with the competition in any way into public disrepute, contempt, scandal, ridicule or harms the public relations or commercial value of any involved party. This includes derogatory comments aimed at ESL, its partners or products in interviews, statements and/or social media channels.