Before we move on to the group stage, we want to announce another change for the upcoming Fall 2013 season in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Looking at the high level of competition within the cup stage already, there are many teams that would deserve to skip the qualification process. Rather than 8 teams from the finals being set for the next season, the number will be increased to 12 teams. The participant structure for the Fall 2013 season Increasing the Core Teams slots to 12 means that the third-place finishers in the group stage also qualify for RaidCall EMS One Fall 2013. This way, every match of the group stage matters and even teams who lose their first two matches will still have something to fight for.



This also means decreasing the number of A-Series teams in the next season. While it was more about being in the Premier Division and having the minimum activity fulfilled in the past, this change will also take the competition within the A-Series to a new level while helping new talents to leave a mark.



Besides that, Go4CS:GO will continue to serve as a qualification for the RaidCall EMS One cup stage.



The teams of RaidCall EMS One Cup Stage of Fall 2013 Season:



ESL Pro Series - National Champions

Open:

Open:



Statement by EMS One Product Manager Lari 'D.Devil' Syrota: The basic premise of our tournament format is to allow up-and-coming teams to compete with established powerhouses. The latest results in our cups have proven that the competitive environment in CS:GO has reached a level where there are plenty of teams with the skill and potential to keep up with the best. Many of the first rounds matches could have gone either way.



Taking this into account, it would be counter-intuitive to have these teams go through the A-Series again and again – the third-place finishers in our groups cannot be considered "challengers" whatsoever, as they clearly belong to Europe's elite. This is why it is logical to grant them a fixed spot in our following season as well.



This change will allow the A-Series to become even more successful at fostering new talent – even though I must admit that even with four top teams less competing, the Premier Division will still be stacked. Playing CS:GO professionaly isn't easy!









Increasing the Core Teams slots to 12 means that the third-place finishers in the group stage also qualify for RaidCall EMS One Fall 2013. This way, every match of the group stage matters and even teams who lose their first two matches will still have something to fight for.This also means decreasing the number of A-Series teams in the next season. While it was more about being in the Premier Division and having the minimum activity fulfilled in the past, this change will also take the competition within the A-Series to a new level while helping new talents to leave a mark.Besides that, Go4CS:GO will continue to serve as a qualification for the RaidCall EMS One cup stage. RaidCall EMS One - 12 Core TeamsESL Pro Series - National ChampionsOpen: A-Series - Top 8 of Premier DivisionOpen: CM Storm Go4CS:GO - Cup Winner (taking a slot in the following cup) Soodi , Sunday, 09/06/13 18:00