The groups of The International 3 Western qualifier has been released. The qualifier will run a GSL groupstage to a double elimination playoffs bracket. The winner of the qualifier will be the 14th team of The International 3.
The groups of the Western qualifier of The International 3 have just been announced over the livestream of TheGDStudio just moments ago.
Format of TI3 qualifiers
The format differs from last year's as this time, the GSL system will be used. The eight teams in each qualifier will be separated into two groups, in which they will be playing a double elimination groupstage completely separated from the other group. The top two placers of the groups will move into the playoffs. All the games in the groupstage will be played in a best-of-three.
The playoffs will adopt a common best-of-three double elimination format with a best-of-five playoffs. There will be no advantage for the finalist qualifying to the grand final via the winner bracket. The winner of the qualifier will be invited to The International 3 and the second placer may stand a chance to take the wildcard spot a day before the annual event.
Group A
Group B
TheGDStudio, host and official caster of the West qualifier, has lined up something special for the coverage. They will be welcoming guests to their studio in Sweden and will be doing the cast of the west finals in front of a live audience. Interested fans may send an e-mail to [email protected] for a chance to be part of the live audience.
So far, GosuGamers has heard no news regarding the Eastern qualifier but it should be expected to be announced over the BeyondTheSummit stream soon. Besides that, there is also no news on LGD.cn's The International 3 invites. Rumor has it that LGD.cn will have to go through the qualifiers while a team from the qualifiers will be auto-invited instead.
If the previous year was any indication, the games should be available on DotaTV without any charge. Besides that, the tickets for the sale of The International 3 will begin on the 7th of May at 19:00 CEST. No news of the price nor the availability of the tickets have been made.
Source: TheGDStudio
