2025 TIER 1 Events

General Information

Format

For 2025, YaLLa Compass format will remain as a 12-teams Main Event LAN, allowing for a more focused and competitive tournament structure. This will lead to a higher investment per team, improved travel arrangements and a more athlete-centric experience that enables the teams to focus on their gameplay and thrive in a more supportive environment.

Prize Pool Distribution per Main Event of $600,000

• 1st: $300,000
• 2nd: $84,000
• 3rd-4th: $42,000
• 5th-6th: $30,000
• 7th-12th: $12,000

Locations, Dates & Details:

Qatar, Doha

• Main Event (LAN) 16-20th April 2025, 12 teams total
• Closed Qualifier (Online) 1-2 April 2025, 12 teams total

Invitation details

• Invitation date: 60 days before Main Event
• Total of 18 direct VRS invites starting from VRS rank 1
• Top 6 invites directly to Main Event LAN
• Remaining 12 invites to Closed Qualifier

Main Event (LAN) 16-20th April, 12 teams total

Format

Group Stage

• Two round-robin groups
• Each group has 6 teams
• All matches are Bo1

The top three teams from each group advance to the Playoffs

• Group winners advance to the Semifinals
• Group runners-up advance to the Quarterfinals as the High Seeds
• Group 3rd place teams advance to the Quarterfinals as the Low Seeds

Playoffs

• Single-Elimination bracket
• Matches are Bo3, Grand Finals Bo5

Closed Qualifier (Online) 1-2nd April, 12 teams total

Format

• Two round-robin groups
• Each group has 6 teams
• All matches are Bo1

The top three teams from each group advance to the Main Event LAN

• Group winners advance as 7th and 8th seed (original VRS rank as tie breaker)
• Group runners-up advance as 9th and 10th seed (original VRS rank as tiebreaker)
• Group 3rd place teams advance as 11th and 12th seed (original VRS rank as tiebreaker)

Prize pool distribution $75,000

• Each match win rewards $2,500
• Max $12,500 per team for a perfect 5-0 score

UAE, Dubai

• Main Event (LAN) 19th-23th November, 12 teams total
• Closed Qualifier (Online) 21-23rd October, 16 teams total

Invitation details

• Invitation date: 60 days before Main Event
• Total of 18 direct VRS invites starting from VRS rank 1
• Top 6 invites directly to Main Event LAN
• Remaining 12 invites to Closed Qualifier
• Additionally, 4 teams invited to Closed Qualifier:
• Winner of a Tier 2 event in the past 6 months,
• Wild card invite (max 2 total), or
• Next in VRS rank after direct invites.

Main Event (LAN) 19th-23th November, 12 teams total

Format

Group Stage

• Two round-robin groups
• Each group has 6 teams
• All matches are Bo1

The top three teams from each group advance to the Playoffs

• Group winners advance to the Semifinals
• Group runner-ups advance to the Quarterfinals as the High Seeds
• Group 3rd place teams advance to the Quarterfinals as the Low Seeds

Playoffs

• Single-Elimination bracket
• Matches are Bo3, Grand Finals Bo5

Closed Qualifier (Online) 21-23rd October, 16 teams total)

Format

• Two single-elimination groups
• Each group has eight teams
• All matches are Bo3

The top three teams from each group advance to the Main Event LAN

• Group winners advance as 7th and 8th seed (original VRS rank as tie breaker)
• Group runner-ups advance as 9th and 10th seed (original VRS rank as tiebreaker)
• Group 3rd place teams advance as 11th and 12th seed (original VRS rank as tiebreaker)

Prize pool distribution $75,000

• Group winners: $15,000 (x2)
• Group runner-ups: $10,000 (x2)
• Group 3rd place: $7,500 (x2)
• Group 4th place: $5,000 (x2)

2025 TIER 2 Events

General Information

Invitation details

• Invitation date: 30 days before Main Event
• Total of 24 direct VRS invites starting from VRS rank 13
• Top 8 teams directly to Main Event
• Remaining 16 invites to Closed Qualifier

Prize Pool Distribution $25,000

• 1st: $10,000
• 2nd: $5,000
• 3rd-4th: $3,000
• 5th-8th: $1,000

YaLLa Compass Contenders Tier 2 ranked circuit will replace the YaLLa Compass Open Qualifiers moving forwrad.

YaLLa Compass Contenders #1 (Online)

• Main Event (Online) 12th May - 27th May 2025
• Playoffs: 26th and 27th May 2025
• Closed Qualifier (Online): 28th April - 8th May 2025

Main Event (Online) 12th May - 27th May 2025

Format

Swiss Stage

• 16 Team Swiss System
• All matches are Bo3
• Top 8 teams proceed to Playoffs

Playoffs

• Single-Elimination bracket
• All matches are Bo3

Closed Qualifier (Online) 28th April - 8th May 2025

Format

Swiss Stage

• 16 Team Swiss System
• All matches are Bo3
• Top 8 teams proceed to Main Event

YaLLa Compass Contenders #2 (Online)

• Main Event (Online) 11th August - 3rd September 2025
• Playoffs: 2nd - 3rd September 2025
• Closed Qualifier (Online): 21st July - 31st July 2025

Main Event (Online) 11th August - 3rd September 2025

Format

Swiss Stage

• 16 Team Swiss System
• All matches are Bo3
• Top 8 teams proceed to Playoffs

Playoffs

·Single-Elimination bracket

·All matches are Bo3

Closed Qualifier (Online) 21st July - 31st July 2025

Format

Swiss Stage

• 16 Team Swiss System
• All matches are Bo3
• Top 8 teams proceed to Main Event

Additional information

Eligibility Criteria for Tournament Entry

A team can only qualify for a Direct VRS Invite if at least three of its players were part of the roster on the date the invite was issued.

Consequences of Valve Bans on Roster Eligibility

Should a team lose players due to Valve sanctions and no longer meet the roster requirements, the Direct VRS Invite may be withdrawn.

Procedure for Declining or Inability to Compete

If a team opts out of the Direct VRS Invite or cannot participate, the invite will be passed to the next team in the VRS rankings until all spots are filled.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

Teams and players must ensure there are no financial or business entanglements with other participating teams. This includes having no shared management, ownership, licensing deals, or financial agreements with other competitors.

Visa Requirements (Tier 1 Only)

Teams must secure all required visas by the given deadline. If they fail to do so, the invite will be extended to the next eligible team on the VRS list.

Hospitality (Tier 1 Only)

To further enhance the experience, YaLLa Esports is committed to ensuring that all participating teams will have their flights, hotels, and other essential travel expenses covered, reinforcing the tournament's dedication to supporting teams.

• In line with our 2024 travel arrangements, we will continue to cover flights for 8 people per team.
• We will also continue as the only tournament organizer to cover 8 rooms per team, in minimum 5-star hotel.
• Food, beverages, and snacks covered for event duration for the 8 participants
• High-quality practice rooms for participating teams.

The changes to the YaLLa Compass circuit reflect YaLLa Esports’ long-term vision to establish a world-class global esports circuit, with a strong focus on player development, fan engagement, and innovation. With these improvements, YaLLa Compass is positioned to be a central force of the region’s esports scene, providing opportunities for the best players and teams to shine.

“By focusing on a more intimate format with fewer teams and higher investment per team, we’re ensuring that every participant has the best possible experience,” said Teemu Koski, CGO of YaLLa Esports. “The evolution of YaLLa Compass is a key part of our strategy to create a lasting, sustainable esports circuit that will continue to attract global talent and fans.”

YaLLa Compass Qualifier Updates

To ensure full compliance with the latest Valve regulations, YaLLa Compass Fall 2024, YaLLa Compass Summer 2024 and YaLLa Compass Winter 2025 events will no longer serve as qualifying pathways into the YaLLa Compass Qatar Closed Qualifiers.

2026 Information

Location and Dates for YaLLa Compass 2026

• 20-26 April 2026: Qatar
• 7-13 September 2026: Location TBA
• 16-22 November 2026: United Arab Emirates

The 2026 season will bring even more excitement, with a total prize pool of $2.25 million.