Valve is reworking the structure of the RMR cycle before the Major from BLAST

Valve has updated the rulebook to make changes to the Major qualifier structure. In particular, the developers are introducing mandatory closed qualifiers, adding Last Chance stages, and also building up their own rating system for teams.

The initial changes to the structure of the qualifiers were announced after the end of IEM Rio Major 2022 in November, when Valve confirmed its intention to rework the invitation system for RMR tournaments.

The updated set of rules corrects the company's current vision for the development of its ecosystem. Whereas previously teams competed in numerous open qualifiers, now each region will have mandatory closed qualifiers. The best teams, based on the Valve rating, that did not directly qualify for RMR tournaments will be immediately invited to the closed qualifiers.

Invitations to closed qualifiers will be determined by official "Regional Status", which will be based on teams' performance in both Valve-sanctioned and third-party tournaments. However, the company has yet to reveal details of its new ranking system.

The total number of participants will be twice as large as the number of slots for RMR tournaments. For example, in Europe there will be at least 38 participants. Half of the slots in the closed qualifiers will be awarded by invitation, while the remaining slots will be taken by the winners of the open online qualifiers. The format of the closed qualifier will follow the format of the RMR tournament for the corresponding number of teams.

Each region (Europe, Americas and Asia) must host one closed qualifier, but may be allowed to split it to account for the ping of participating teams. In the event that an event is to be split, the qualifying places must be evenly distributed among the regions.

Valve also adjusted the number of participants in the RMR tournament for Asia, increasing the number of teams to eight. Since one additional slot was added for Europe following the results of IEM Rio Major 2022, an additional Last Chance stage will be held with the participation of two or three teams.

Full cycle schedule of BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023:

• Open Qualifiers for RMR Tournaments: February-March 2023
• RMR tournaments: April 3-9, 2023
• Major: May 8-21, 2023 (Challengers - May 8-11, 2023; Legends - May 13-16, 2023; Champions - May 18-21, 2023)