What you need to know before the start of VCT 2021: Stage 3 Masters Berlin

Today, September 10, the group stage of the third Masters of the VCT 2021 series starts. In this regard, let's try to understand what you need to know before the start of VCT 2021: Stage 3 Masters Berlin.

Who will take part

The tournament will be attended by 15 teams, not 16 as previously announced. The main snag lies in the fact that the Bren Esports organization did not manage to issue visas to its players, having been forced to withdraw from the tournament. Interestingly, after a couple of days, the organization completely lost its roster, which passed under the banner of Team Secret.

Three teams from North America will come to Germany - Sentinels, 100 Thieves and Team Envy. SuperMassive Blaze, Gambit Esports, Acend and G2 Esports will take part in the tournament from the united EMEA region (CIS, Europe and Turkey). Brazil will be represented by only two bands - Havan Liberty and Keyd Stars.

From Latin America, only KRÜ Esports will visit Berlin. At the same time, Japan will be represented at the tournament by ZETA DIVISION and Crazy Raccoon. In South Korea, Vision Strikers and F4Q were able to get the right to compete in Germany. Well, from Southeast Asia, only Paper Rex will attend the championship.

Division into groups and format of the championship

Group A:

• Vision Strikers.
• Paper Rex.
• SuperMassive Blaze.
• Acend.

Group B:

• Keyd Stars.
• Team Envy.
• KRÜ Esports.
• ZETA DIVISION.

Group C:

• Gambit Esports.
• Crazy Raccoon.
• 100 Thieves.
• Havan Liberty.

Group D:

• Sentinels.
• G2 Esports.
• F4Q.

Since there are only three teams left in Group D, the teams will play here a two-round circular grid "each against each". Two teams will advance from this group to the playoffs.

The tournament will begin with a group stage elimination after the second defeat, and then the remaining eight teams will play until the first defeat. Initially, teams were divided into four categories based on their place in the Challengers competition and the overall performance of the region:

• Category 1: North America 1; Europe, Middle East and North Africa 1; Korea 1; Brazil 1.
• Category 2: North America 2; Europe, Middle East and North Africa 2; Latin America 1; Southeast Asia 1.
• Category 3: Japan 1; Brazil 2; Korea 2; Europe, Middle East and North Africa 3.
• Category 4: North America 3; Southeast Asia 2; Japan 2; Europe, Middle East and North Africa 4.

In the group stage, each four of the teams will play until the second defeat, while the two groups are not determined by the winners. In the first round in each group, teams from the first category will compete against teams from the fourth category, and teams from the second category will compete against teams from the third category.

Two teams from each group will advance to the playoffs, forming a grid of quarterfinals. All matches, with the exception of the Grand Final (BO5), will be played in BO3 format with elimination after the first defeat.

Prize fund distribution and timing

VCT 2021: Stage 3 Masters - Berlin will take place from 10 to 19 September at the Verti Music Hall with a total prize pool of $ 700,000. The winner of the tournament will receive not only a solid cash prize, but also the right to take part in VALORANT Champions 2021 at the end of the year, which will also be held in Berlin.

• 1st place: $ 225,000 + slot at VALORANT Champions 2021.
• 2nd place: $ 125,000 + 375 points.
• 3-4th place: $ 85,000 + 325 points.
• 3-4th place: $ 85,000 + 325 points.
• 5th-8th place: $ 25,000 + 275 points.
• 5th-8th place: $ 25,000 + 275 points.
• 5th-8th place: $ 25,000 + 275 points.
• 5th-8th place: $ 25,000 + 275 points.
• 9th-12th place: $ 10,000 + 225 points.
• 9th-12th place: $ 10,000 + 225 points.
• 9th-12th place: $ 10,000 + 225 points.
• 9th-12th place: $ 10,000 + 225 points.
• 13-15th place: $ 10,000 + 175 points.
• 13-15th place: $ 10,000 + 175 points.
• 13-15th place: $ 10,000 + 175 points.
• 16th place: Bren Esports - $ 10,000 + 175 points.