This isn't just another tournament cycle; it's the primary gateway for the first Major of the year. The format remains high-stakes with Bo1 Group Stages leading into intense Bo3 Playoffs. Win your region, and you'll walk away with 240 SI points—a massive head start in the race to qualify for the next Six Invitational.
Regional Schedules and Formats
The action is already heating up across the globe. While the Asia Pacific (APL) leagues kicked off their group stages in late March, North America (NAL) and South America (SAL) are entering the fray right now. Here is a look at the starting windows for the major regions:
- APL North & Asia: Group stages began March 27-28.
- EML (Europe/MENA): Group stage matches are currently underway as of March 30.
- SAL (South America): Competition begins March 31.
- NAL (North America): The first matches start April 1.
For the NAL, SAL, and EML, 10 teams are split into two groups. The top performers from these groups will advance to the Bo3 Playoffs, where the pressure peaks. The EML playoffs are set to conclude by April 17, while the SAL bracket wraps up on April 19.
Why the Kickoff Matters for the Meta
The Kickoff stages are often where we see the first real competitive response to recent game updates. With the Y11S1.1 balance changes still fresh, these matches will define the current meta. Expect to see how professional lineups utilize the recent buffs to J$ger and Flores in a high-stakes environment. Every match is a lesson in utility management and site setup that players can bring back to their own ranked sessions.
You can catch all the action live on the official R6 Esports Twitch channels. Whether you're watching for the drops or to study the newest strategies, the next three weeks will be wall-to-wall tactical action.
Soren