Valve readjusts T1-T2 event requirements

Valve has updated its rulebook for CS2 tournaments, bringing notable changes to team invites, seeding methods, and wildcard selection criteria.

Valve now requires tier-1 events to feature at least 20 invited teams, an increase from the previous 16-team minimum. For tier-2 competitions, organizers must limit invitations to teams ranked outside the top 12 globally in the VRS, a stricter standard than the previous top-16 cutoff.

Wildcard invitations face the most significant restrictions under the new guidelines. Teams seeking these special spots must sit below 12th place in global rankings. Additionally, they must either field three players who were part of top-12 teams within the last six months or have secured a top two finish at a comparable tournament during that period.

Tournament seeding procedures have also been refreshed. Organizers can now base their seeding on the specific VRS version mentioned in their event announcement, rather than being tied to the same rankings used for invitations. This adjustment addresses the time gap between invites and actual competition, where team standings often shift considerably.

Planning timelines have been relaxed for future events. Starting with 2027 tournaments, organizers need to announce their events 22 months ahead instead of 24. The deadline for publishing tournament details drops to 10 months before the main event, down from 12.

Location disclosure requirements have been simplified as well. Tournament hosts now only need to specify the visa region (like USA, Schengen, or China) rather than specific geographical areas.