As we approach 2026, we would like to share the remaining details of our qualifiers and bring everything together in one place for easier reference. In this post, you will find all the key information, including dates, schedules, and formats, along with a summary of the new restrictions being introduced next year to further protect the integrity of our events.
OVERVIEW
As previously announced, three of the ESL Pro Tour events in 2026 will feature qualifiers. We are introducing new Global Qualifiers, played on European servers. One of our main goals with this change is to reduce the travel fatigue some teams experience when competing in regional qualifiers. In addition to the Global Qualifiers, we will also continue to host Regional Qualifiers tailored to each event's local region. You can learn more about our design philosophy in the article linked here.
Below, you can find a full overview of the dates, formats, and structures for all upcoming qualifiers. Signups for the open qualifiers will be announced separately closer to the start of the respective qualifiers.
IEM Brazil 2026
Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of January 2026.
Global Qualifier
Open Qualifier: January 16-17, 2026
- Single elimination bracket, all matches best-of-one, decider matches best-of-three
- Matches will be played from 18:00 local time (CET)
- 4 teams advance to Closed Qualifier
- All matches will be played on European FACEIT servers
Closed Qualifier: January 21-23, 2026
- 16 teams participating, 2 teams qualify for IEM Brazil 2026
- 12 teams invited: Global VRS Invite (12-23rd)
- 4 teams from Open qualifier
- Double elimination bracket, all matches best-of-three
- Roster submission deadline: January 18, 2026
- Seeding date: January 19, 2026
- All matches will be played online and will be played on European ESL servers in Amsterdam & Germany
Schedule
Day 1
- 11:00 UB Ro16 #1, #2, #3, #4 (4 matches)
- 14:00 UB Ro16 #5, #6, #7, #8 (4 matches)
- 17:00 UB Ro8 #1, #2 & LB Ro8a #1, #2 (4 matches)
- 20:00 UB Ro8 #3, #4 & LB Ro8a #3, #4 (4 matches)
Day 2
- 14:00 LB Ro8b #1, #2, #3 & #4 (4 matches)
- 17:00 UB Ro4 #1 & #2 & LB Ro4a #1 & #2 (4 matches)
- 20:00 LB Ro4b #1 & #2 (2 matches)
Day 3
- 17:00 UB Ro2 #1 & LB Ro2a #1 (2 matches)
- 20:00 LB Ro2b #1 (1 match)
Americas Qualifier
Open Qualifier: January 16-17, 2026
- Single elimination bracket, all matches best-of-one, decider matches best-of-three
- Matches will be played from 18:00 local time (BRT)
- 4 teams advance to Closed Qualifier
- All matches will be played on South American FACEIT servers
Closed Qualifier: 21-23 January, 2026
- 8 teams participating, 1 team qualifies for IEM Brazil 2026
- 4 teams invited:
- Americas VRS Invite (1-4th)
- 4 teams from Open qualifier
- Double elimination bracket, all matches best-of-three
- Roster submission deadline: January 18, 2026
- Seeding date: January 19, 2026
- Matches will be played on ESL servers in Sao Paulo
Schedule
Day 1
- 14:00 UB Ro8 #1, #2, #3, #4 (4 matches)
- 17:00 LB Ro4a #1 & #2 (2 matches)
- 20:00 UB Ro4 #1 & #2 (2 matches)
Day 2
- 14:00 LB Ro4b #1 & #2 (2 matches)
- 17:00 UB Ro2a #1 & LB Ro2a #1 (2 matches)
- 20:00 LB Ro2b #1 (1 match)
Day 3
- 20:00 UB Ro2b (1 match)
IEM Atlanta 2026
Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of February 2026.
Global Qualifier
Open Qualifier: February 7-8, 2026
- Single elimination bracket, all matches best-of-one, decider matches best-of-three
- Matches will be played from 18:00 local time (CET)
- 4 teams advance to Closed Qualifier
- All matches will be played online and will be played on European FACEIT servers
Closed Qualifier: February 10-12, 2026
- 16 teams participating, 2 teams qualify for IEM Atlanta 2026
- 12 teams invited: Global VRS Invite (12-23rd)
- 4 teams from Open qualifier
- Double elimination bracket, all matches best-of-three
- Roster submission deadline: February 8, 2026
- Seeding date: February 9, 2026
- All matches will be played online and will be played on European ESL servers in Amsterdam & Germany
Schedule
Day 1
- 11:00 UB Ro16 #1, #2, #3, #4 (4 matches)
- 14:00 UB Ro16 #5, #6, #7, #8 (4 matches)
- 17:00 UB Ro8 #1, #2 & LB Ro8a #1, #2 (4 matches)
- 20:00 UB Ro8 #3, #4 & LB Ro8a #3, #4 (4 matches)
Day 2
- 14:00 LB Ro8b #1, #2, #3 & #4 (4 matches)
- 17:00 UB Ro4 #1 & #2 & LB Ro4a #1 & #2 (4 matches)
- 20:00 LB Ro4b #1 & #2 (2 matches)
Day 3
- 17:00 UB Ro2 #1 & LB Ro2a #1 (2 matches)
- 20:00 LB Ro2b #1 (1 match)
Americas Qualifier
Open Qualifier: February 7-8, 2026
- Single elimination bracket, all matches best-of-one, decider matches best-of-three
- Matches will be played from 18:00 local time (EST)
- 4 teams advance to Closed Qualifier
- All matches will be played online and will be played on North American FACEIT servers
Closed Qualifier: February 10-12, 2026
- 8 teams participating, 1 team qualifies for IEM Atlanta 2026
- 4 teams invited:
- Americas VRS Invite (1-4th)
- 4 teams from Open Qualifier
- Double elimination bracket, all matches best-of-three
- Roster submission deadline: February 8, 2026
- Seeding date: February 9, 2026
- All matches will be played on ESL servers in Chicago & Dallas
Schedule
Day 1
- 14:00 UB Ro8 #1, #2, #3, #4 (4 matches)
- 17:00 LB Ro4a #1 & #2 (2 matches)
- 20:00 UB Ro4 #1 & #2 (2 matches)
Day 2
- 14:00 LB Ro4b #1 & #2 (2 matches)
- 17:00 UB Ro2a #1 & LB Ro2a #1 (2 matches)
- 20:00 LB Ro2b #1 (1 match)
Day 3
- 20:00 UB Ro2b (1 match)
IEM CHINA 2026
Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
Global Qualifier
Open Qualifier: August 24-25, 2026
- Single elimination bracket, all matches best-of-one, decider matches best-of-three
- Matches will be played from 18:00 local time (CEST)
- 4 teams advance to Closed Qualifier
- All matches will be played online and will be played on European FACEIT servers
Closed Qualifier: September 2-4, 2026
- 16 teams participating, 2 teams qualify for IEM China 2026
- 12 teams invited: Global VRS Invite (11-22nd)
- 4 teams from Open Qualifier
- Double elimination bracket, all matches best-of-three
- Roster submission deadline: August 30, 2026
- Seeding date: August 31, 2026
- All matches will be played online and will be played on European ESL servers in Amsterdam & Germany
Schedule
Day 1
- 11:00 UB Ro16 #1, #2, #3, #4 (4 matches)
- 14:00 UB Ro16 #5, #6, #7, #8 (4 matches)
- 17:00 UB Ro8 #1, #2 & LB Ro8a #1, #2 (4 matches)
- 20:00 UB Ro8 #3, #4 & LB Ro8a #3, #4 (4 matches)
Day 2
- 14:00 LB Ro8b #1, #2, #3 & #4 (4 matches)
- 17:00 UB Ro4 #1 & #2 & LB Ro4a #1 & #2 (4 matches)
- 20:00 LB Ro4b #1 & #2 (2 matches)
Day 3
- 17:00 UB Ro2 #1 & LB Ro2a #1 (2 matches)
- 20:00 LB Ro2b #1 (1 match)
Asia Qualifier
Open Qualifier: August 24-25, 2026
- Single elimination bracket, all matches best-of-one
- Matches will be played from 18:00 local time (CST)
- 4 teams advance to Closed Qualifier
- All matches will be played online and will be played on Asian FACEIT servers
Closed Qualifier: September 2-4, 2026
- 8 teams participating, 1 team qualifies for IEM China 2026
- 4 teams invited: Asia VRS Invite (2-5th)
- 4 teams from Open Qualifier
- Double elimination bracket, all matches best-of-three
- Roster submission deadline: August 30, 2026
- Seeding date: August 31, 2026
- All matches will be played online and will be played on Asian ESL servers in Singapore & Hong Kong
Schedule
Day 1
- 14:00 UB Ro8 #1, #2, #3, #4 (4 matches)
- 17:00 LB Ro4a #1 & #2 (2 matches)
- 20:00 UB Ro4 #1 & #2 (2 matches)
Day 2
- 14:00 LB Ro4b #1 & #2 (2 matches)
- 17:00 UB Ro2a #1 & LB Ro2a #1 (2 matches)
- 20:00 LB Ro2b #1 (1 match)
Day 3
- 20:00 UB Ro2b (1 match)
Integrity Measures
Earlier this year, we introduced enhanced security measures for our online competitions; most notably, mandatory cameras displaying each player's in-game screen. In 2026, we are building upon these improvements by requiring two cameras per player and implementing FACEIT Verification as a mandatory requirement for all participants.
The two-camera setup will ensure visibility not only of the player's in-game screen but also of their full playing environment. FACEIT Verification will be required for all players before a team can check-in for any qualifier.
We share the community's belief that the integrity of our events must remain our highest priority and these measures are a crucial step in maintaining that standard. We understand these requirements may demand additional preparation, which is why we are communicating them well in advance to allow teams ample time to adapt.
All of the above will also be reflected in the ESL Pro Tour rulebook, which will receive an update and be published before the year ends.