GSL 2017 ups prize pool, removes Code A

AfreecaTV have revealed their GSL plans for the next year and some major changes are coming.

Close to $480,000 in prize money will be split by top StarCraft 2 players in GSL the next year, as the tournament sees a 20 percent expansion of its purse. This is among the highlights in AfreecaTV’s announcement about their 2017 plans regarding StarCraft’s most prestigious circuit.

The wallet isn’t the only thing that will get bigger, the announcement says. GSL is set to expand from two to three seasons and will host two additional GSL Super Tournaments in 2017, featuring top players from the regular GSL seasons as well as qualifier winners.

Another major change to the league is the removal of Code A. The lower tier league has been a loyal companion to its big brother, Code S, and has served as baptism for upcoming players as well as the home for gamers who struggle to meet the high level standards of competition in Code S. The relegation of the “up and down matches” connected the two leagues, but this is now set to change. Instead of Code A, a set of qualifiers will be ran to populate Code S, with no detail on the format of said qualifiers.

GSL has run since 2010 and 2017 will mark the arrival of its 30th season.