VCT 2026: China Stage 2

1. Group Stage

• Format: 12 teams are split into two groups of 6.
• Matches: Every team plays against everyone in their group once (All matches are Bo3).
• Where do they go next?
• Top 2 teams from each group advance directly to the Playoffs.
• 3rd, 4th, and 5th place teams go to the Play-Ins Upper Bracket Round 2.
• 6th place teams go to the Play-Ins Upper Bracket Round 1.

2. Ranking Matches

• Format: Teams with the same placement from both groups play a single head-to-head match (Bo3).
• Goal: To determine the official regular season seeding for the Play-Ins and Playoffs.

3. Play-Ins

• Format: A 10-team Double-Elimination bracket (teams get a second chance if they lose once).
• The Teams: 8 teams from the Group Stage + 2 teams from the China National Tournament.
• Matches: All matches are Bo3.
• Goal: The Top 4 teams advance to the Playoffs; the rest are eliminated.

4. Playoffs

• Format: An 8-team Double-Elimination bracket (4 from Groups + 4 from Play-Ins).
• Matches: Mostly Bo3, except for the Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final, which are Bo5.
• The Ultimate Prize: The Top 2 teams qualify directly for the global Champions tournament.