44 teams have travelled across the continent in an attempt to challenge for coveted VRS points. However, they have to get through day one first.
The group stage format mimics EPIC 44, which equally had a record attendance. Instead of the usual groups, people have become accustomed to there will be a UCL-style league phase.
This means instead of being divided into small groups where the same teams play each other, all participants are placed in one large table. The teams settle who they are playing from a seeding system that divides all participants into eight pots based on ranking. Every team is then drawn to face an opponent from each pot. The top 16 teams then progress through to the playoffs, with 1st-8th through to the upper bracket and 9th-16th to the lower bracket.
Both Phantom Esports and Square Sausages are seeded according to the rule in the Valve TOR, as they both have a ranking in the VRS, they must be seeded as such. The remaining teams have been seeded by a select committee of players, coaches, talent and tournament admins.
Seeding
Seeding | Team |
| 1st | Phantom Esports |
| 2nd | Square Sausages |
| 3rd | Nemesis |
| 4th | MINLATE |
| 5th | Prestige |
| 6th | 8Sins |
| 7th | TLR.daddyskins |
| 8th | Glitchtech |
| 9th | 29AvgAge |
| 10th | Los Emigrantos |
| 11th | Fragging Friends |
| 12th | SNOOZE |
| 13th | FINUI HAS A 3 KILL STREAK |
| 14th | Sinkinboat |
| 15th | CHICKEN JOSHEY |
| 16th | Tropic Thunder |
| 17th | Linus Sex Tips |
| 18th | BUHM |
| 19th | BNOCs |
| 20th | Final Form |
Games to look out for
In all honesty, the group stage will have a lot of rather one-sided games at the top. Teams like Phantom Esports, Square Sausages, Nemesis and MINLATE shouldn’t have any games that seriously worry them.
Some very exciting games to look out for, though, would be Prestige v Glitchtech in the final round of groups at 17:00 GMT. UK derby between TLR.daddyskins and 8Sins in their penultimate game at 16:00, which should decide who goes flawlessly through groups and who doesn’t.
A game that to certainly bring the roof down as 29AvgAge will be playing against their old IGL, who led them to two UKIC Division 1 Finals, Connor “Finui” Finucane on FINUI HAS A 3 KILL STREAK at 17:00.
Where to watch?
For the first time in a while, EPIC.LAN will be simultaneously running two streams to catch all of the action unfolding in real time. Find the links below.
Stream A: https://www.twitch.tv/epiclan1
Stream B: https://www.twitch.tv/epiclan4
Make sure to stay tuned to UKCSGO as we will be providing coverage throughout the weekend, and follow us on X!
Complete Preview
Make sure, if you haven’t already, to read through our more in-depth preview for EPIC.LAN 46!
