Introducing the New TFT Tier 1 Esports Circuit
Riot Games has unveiled a groundbreaking Tier 1 esports circuit for its popular auto battler game, Teamfight Tactics (TFT).
Enhanced Ecosystem and Tournament Structure
With each new set in TFT’s cycle, players can look forward to three new tournaments that offer significant prize pools and a clearer path to the game’s prestigious premier event series, the Tactician’s Crown.
In the updated TFT ecosystem, players have the opportunity to qualify for the Tier 1 circuit at the end of each set based on their performance in the Golden Spatula tournament series leading to the Tactician’s Crown.
Following the introduction of TFT’s latest set, Cyber City, the top 28 competitors from each region’s Golden Spatula will secure a spot in the new Tier 1 circuit, with four additional players per region receiving special invitations from Riot.
Tournament Format and Qualification Process
Each of the three Tier 1 tournaments in the new circuit will run over three days, culminating in a final day featuring a single lobby of the top eight players. At the conclusion of a set, circuit participants will compete against the elite players from the Ranked Trials and Cups ecosystem, vying for a chance to secure a spot in the next set’s circuit.
- 1st – 12th: Qualification for Week 2 (requalification for Set 16’s circuit)
- 13th – 24th: Qualification for Week 1
- 25th – 32nd: Qualification for Play-Ins
Furthermore, winners of each Tier 1 event on Day 3 will automatically qualify for the Tactician’s Crown, adding a level of high stakes and competition to the circuit.
Golden Spatula Expansion
Riot Games has also announced an expansion of the Golden Spatula event, now spanning two weekends instead of one. This change translates to an extended duration from three days to six days.
The new format of the Golden Spatula consists of three stages, with Play-Ins on Day 1, followed by ‘Week 1’ on Days 2 and 3. The top 20 players from Week 1 advance to Week 2, where they compete with 12 additional contestants. The top eight players from Week 2 secure a spot in the final Day 6 of the competition.
Additionally, participants who reach Week 2 of the Golden Spatula will automatically qualify for the Tier 1 circuit of the next set.
Looking Ahead: TFT’s Evolving Esports Scene
As TFT progresses towards Set 15, Riot is set to introduce more updates to enhance both the Tier 1 and Tier 2 scenes for the game. While Riot has faced criticism from the community in the past, especially regarding issues like match-fixing, the new Tier 1 circuit signifies a significant commitment to competitive TFT.
Dan ‘Frodan’ Chou, a prominent TFT personality, shared his thoughts on the new circuit, expressing excitement for Riot’s increased focus on competitive TFT.