Getting ready for the start of Pinnacle Winter Series 1

There are only a few hours left before the start of Pinnacle Winter Series 1. A total of 28 teams will compete for a prize pool of $84,000 in the online championship, which will run from January 17 to February 2. The main prize is not only $40,000, but also a ticket to LAN Sweet LAN, which will take place in the spring in Serbia. In this regard, we invite you to get acquainted with the format of the event, the rules for the distribution of the prize fund, the participants and the Pinnacle Winter Series 1 schedule.

Format of the Pinnacle Winter Series 1

Pinnacle Winter Series 1 will be divided into three stages:

1. Regional Swiss Stage - January 17-21.
   
2. Main Swiss Stage - January 24-28.
   
3. Playoffs - January 31 - February 2.
   

The first two stages of the championship will be held according to the classical Swiss system. To determine the starting pairs, a standard seeding system was used, which distributed the teams into baskets. Thus, the team in the first pot will play with the team from the fourth pot in the first round. In turn, the teams from the 2nd and 3rd pots will play each other in the first round.

For the second round, the teams will be divided into two groups: winners and losers. In this case, the teams will play each other in each group.

In the third round the teams will be divided into three groups: 2:0, 1:1, 0:2. Accordingly, each team will play in its own basket, but only with an opponent that it has not met before. Based on the results of this round, two teams will advance to the next stage, while the two losing teams from the lower basket will leave the tournament.

In the fourth round the teams will be divided into two groups: 2:1, 1:2. Once again, the teams will play in their basket with those opponents they have not met before. Following the results of the fourth round, three more teams will advance to the next stage, as well as three teams will leave Pinnacle Winter Series 1.

In the final round, each team will be assigned an opponent they have not faced before. Following the results of the fifth round, the three remaining teams will advance to the next stage of the competition.

Prize Fund Distribution Rules

The championship offers an unusual prize fund distribution scheme. While the winner of the Pinnacle Winter Series 1 is guaranteed to receive $40,000, an additional $44,000 will be up for grabs at the championship, which will be divided as follows:

• TOP-8 Regional Swiss — $2,000.
  
• TOP-8 Main Swiss — $3,000.
  
• Playoffs R1 Winners - $1,000.
  

Participants of Pinnacle Winter Series 1

Participants in all stages of the Pinnacle Winter Series 1 are determined by the invitation method. While the organizers invited sixteen teams to the Regional Swiss Stage, eight teams received invites to the Main Swiss Stage. In addition, the organizers will also issue four invitations to the 1/4 final stage.

List of Regional Swiss Stage participants: Wisła Kraków, Team Unique, Tricked Esport, SAW, Savage, One Tap Gaming, MASONIC, LookingForOrg, GMT Esports, GamerLegion, Team Finest, eSuba, Esports Club Kyiv, ENTERPRISE, Endpoint and Apeks.

List of Main Swiss Stage participants: Sprout, SKADE, MOUZ NXT, K23, Eternal Fire, Dignitas, BLINK and 1WIN.

Pinnacle Winter Series 1 will run from January 17 to February 2 online. 28 teams will compete for a prize pool of $84,000. The winner of the championship will receive not only $40,000, but also a ticket to LAN Sweet LAN, which will be held in the spring in Serbia.