The eighth season of StarSeries i-League CSGO will introduce a new format, dropping the traditional Swiss System for a double-elimination bracket.


Moving to Belek, Turkey for Season 8, StarSeries' shift away from the old format aims to improve the experience for both players and viewers.

Again, 16 teams in total will take part, twelve invited and four securing their spot through regional qualifiers. Although the full list of invited teams has not been announced, StarSeries confirmed that seven teams from HLTV's top 10 have been invited.


Season 8 will move away from the Swiss system. Season 8 will move away from the Swiss system.

The new format

The group stage will feature two groups of eight, with the top two from each advancing to the upper bracket. Teams finishing third and fourth in each group will still continue on in the tournament, but in the lower bracket, where a defeat will mean elimination.

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All matches, regardless of stage, will be best of threes. This was also the case in Season 7, with the exception of the best of five grand final.

Na'Vi took down Fnatic in the grand final of StarSeries i-League Season 7. Na'Vi took down Fnatic in the grand final of StarSeries i-League Season 7.


When is StarSeries Season 8?

The finals for Season 8 will take place on October 21-27, following the conclusion of the qualifiers which will decide the final four teams joining the 12 invitees.

The location for the tournament, Belek, is on the Mediterranean coast, and StarLadder explains, "between the matches, our participants will be able to pleasantly spend some time on the beach of Belek and enjoy the beauty of Turkey."

Qualifiers will be hosted in Europe, Brazil and China, with the total prize pool amounting to $500,000. More details on the qualifiers is forthcoming.