Here’s how the confusing 2019 IEM Katowice CS:GO Major format works

ESL have officially announced the format and seeding system will work at the 2019 IEM Katowice CS:GO Major.

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The event held in Katowice, Poland will be the first Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major event of 2019, and will see the return of the Swiss format used at the FACEIT Major for the New Challengers and New Legends stages.

However, ESL have confirmed that a best-of-three format will be used for all progression and elimination rounds in Katowice, instead of just in fifth round matches at the tournament. This means the Swiss stages will now feature 20 more best-of-three contests than were seen at the FACEIT Major.

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The event will see the return of the ‘Player-Selected Seeding’ method used at IEM Chicago, which sees teams taking part in the tournament rank each other, with the scores added together to create the rankings.

• Read More: North call out the CS:GO community for hateful comments following EU Minor upset

IEM Katowice will also see the introduction of live seeding at the end of each Swiss round, with an ELO rating system replacing the Buchholz system that was used in London.

After the original seeding takes place, teams will be given ELO ratings to match their given seed. Team’s ELO ratings will be adjusted after every match, with winners taking some of the loser ELO points.

Teams will be battling to get their hands on the IEM Katowice Major trophy.

The IEM Katowice Major will officially kick off on Wednesday, February 13 at the New Challengers Stage, with the New Legends stage starting on February 20.

A number of teams competing in the New Challengers Stage have already been confirmed with the conclusion of the CIS and European Minors, with the Americas Minor beginning on Tuesday, January 22.