The first EMEA Masters (EM) of the season is fast approaching. Set to take place over a single week from March 17 to March 23, the competition revealed more details this Tuesday with the announcement of the four groups for the initial phase. Group A consists of Barça eSports (SL #2), Geekay Esports (AL), Papara SuperMassive (TCL), and Zero Tenacity (RL). Group B features BIG (PRM #1), Crvena zvezda Esports (EBL), Ici Japon Corp (LFL #2), and Team Phantasma (HLL). The four teams in Group C are Flame Hard (LPLOL), Los Heretics (SL #1), Macko Esports (LIT), and ZennIT (RoL).

Finally, Group D comprises E WIE EINFACH (PRM #2), Karmine Corp Blue (LFL #1), Los Ratones (NLC), and NightBirds (Hipoint). The highly anticipated EMEA Masters Winter matchup between KCB and LR could therefore take place earlier than expected, though this remains uncertain. Indeed, the first phase will not follow a traditional Group Stage format but rather a GSL-style format, played in best-of-three series using the Fearless Draft. In each group, two matches will be played in the opening round. The winners will then face off in the next round to determine the group’s first-place team and secure a spot in the playoffs.

Playoffs in BO5

Meanwhile, the two losing teams from the opening matches will compete in an elimination “loser match”. The defeated team will be eliminated from the tournament, while the winner will play against the team with a 1-1 record for a chance to claim the second playoff spot. In total, eight teams will advance to the playoffs, which will follow a single-elimination bracket played in best-of-five series, still under the Fearless Draft system.

As a reminder, only the LFL, Superliga, and Prime League have been allocated two slots in this first edition of the year, based on the past performances of their teams in previous iterations of the competition. France has been the strongest ERL region over the past two years, securing two titles in the last four editions (Summer 2023 with Karmine Corp and Summer 2024 with BDS Academy).

In Summer 2024, the final was even an all-French affair, featuring BDSA and Vitality.Bee. The Prime League has also claimed a title in the past two years, with Unicorns of Love Sexy Edition emerging victorious in Spring 2024. This has not been the case for the Superliga, though its representatives—Los Heretics and Movistar Riders—have consistently reached the later stages of the tournament.