This season, the ERLs have aligned their structure with the LEC, dividing the year into three splits. Consequently, a third edition of the EMEA Masters has been introduced to conclude the Winter split. This edition has been streamlined both in duration—the competition will run for just one week, from March 17 to 23—and in the number of participants. Only 16 teams will compete: the champions of the 13 ERLs and the second seed—the runner-up—from the three strongest ERLs based on results over the past two years. The LFL (France), Superliga (Spain), and Prime League (Germany) will therefore each send two representatives.

The LFL has claimed two of the four titles over the last two seasons, with Karmine Corp winning Summer 2023 and BDS Academy securing Summer 2024. KC was the first to secure its ticket to this year's EMEA Masters, qualifying for the LFL grand final on February 19. The Prime League triumphed in Spring 2024 with Eintracht Spandau. Despite not securing a title, Superliga teams have consistently reached the latter stages of the tournament, with Heretics making the semi-finals in Spring 2023 and Summer 2024, while Movistar Riders went all the way to the final in Summer 2023. The notable absentee from this top three is TCL (Turkey), which won the competition in Spring 2023 with Istanbul Wildcats. Follow the updates on the list of participants for the EMEA Masters Winter 2025 in this article.

As a reminder, the competition will follow the Fearless Draft format throughout. It will begin with a GSL Group Stage played in a best-of-three format, featuring four groups of four teams. Teams that secure two wins will advance to the playoffs, while those that suffer two losses will be eliminated. Regional protection will be in place, preventing teams from the same ERL from facing each other during the group stage. The top eight teams will then move on to a single-elimination playoff bracket, played in best-of-five series.

32 teams in Spring, 44 in Summer

The format and number of participants will evolve for the subsequent editions of the EMEA Masters. In Spring, while the competition will maintain the same structure—a GSL Group Stage followed by playoffs—the number of participating teams will double to 32, and the tournament will no longer use the Fearless Draft format. The Summer edition will expand even further, featuring 44 teams, beginning with a Last Chance Qualifier, followed by a Swiss Stage, and concluding with the playoffs.