Last Changed: 2026-01-30

Esports Tournament Organizer Application Information

This document serves as a public overview for tournament organizers interested in running sanctioned events for THE FINALS. It summarises the key requirements and expectations. For full rules, processes, and detailed requirements, refer to the Running Sanctioned Events document.

Approved organizers will be required to enter into additional agreements covering compliance obligations.

To express interest in hosting officially sanctioner prestige events, please email us at esports@embark-studios.com

What Organizers Receive

Approved Tier 2 organizers receive:

• Official Embark sanctioning for their event.
• Eligibility to award RFI points.
• Listing on THE FINALS esports website and calendar.
• Recognition as an official pathway toward The Grand Major.
• Optional operational support or promotion at Embark's discretion.

Sanctioning does not imply Embark is responsible for tournament operations, prize payouts, or staffing. There is also no minimum prize pool requirement. If a prize pool is advertised, the organizer is solely responsible for its full distribution to eligible participants.

What Counts as an RFI Event?

For the purposes of the Regional Fame Index (RFI), only the Main Stage of a tournament is considered an RFI-eligible event.

The Main Stage is defined as the phase of a competition where:

• A fixed number of teams are present.
• No additional teams may enter.
• Teams are eliminated through match results.

Examples of Main Stages include:

• Single or double elimination playoffs.
• Hybrid Elimination brackets.
• Final knockout stages of multi-phase tournaments.

Qualifiers, leagues, Swiss stages, round-robins, or other formats that lead into a Main Stage are not considered RFI events on their own and do not award RFI points.

Organizers are free to run leagues or extended formats over multiple weeks or months. These formats may be used to qualify teams into a Main Stage, but RFI points are only awarded based on results achieved in the Main Stage itself.

Sanctioned Event Checklist

To be eligible for sanctioning, events must meet all of the following:

• Minimum 16 teams competing in the event or its qualification process.
• At least 30% open qualifier slots (rounded up, fixed and non-replaceable).
• Invitations issued from regional RFI rankings in ranking order.
• Up to four (4) wildcard slots, merit-based, publicly declared in advance.
• Declared region and servers (EMEA, AMERICAS or APAC).
• Event operated entirely within the declared region.
• Rulebook, format, seeding logic, and qualification pathways published before registration opens.
• Dedicated admin coverage and dispute resolution process.
• No shared ownership, staff, or operational ties with participating teams.
• Events must be publicly announced a minimum of four (4) weeks before Open Qualifiers begin (apart from events starting in February/March).
• Sanctioned events must take place within the RFI earning window of February through August.

Broadcast talent (casters, analysts, desk hosts) with team ownership or management ties may not participate in event coverage where their team competes. Broadcast talent affiliated with an organization as contracted content creators must disclose the relationship to the tournament organizer prior to the event and may not cover matches involving that organization.

For full invitation procedures, worked examples, and detailed requirements, see the Running Sanctioned Events document.

Tier 2A – Standard Distribution (650 Points)

Tier 2A applies when all structural requirements are met and at least four (4) teams ranked within the Top 8 of the regional RFI leaderboard are participating.

Tier 2B – Adjusted Distribution (500 Points)

Tier 2B applies when all structural requirements are met but fewer than four (4) Top 8 regional RFI teams are participating, despite documented attempts to invite them in ranking order.

Tier 2B also applies automatically if fewer than sixteen (16) teams register for the event, regardless of competitive strength.

Sanctioning Limits

• Each approved organizer may run up to three (3) sanctioned events per calendar year, per region.
• Organizers seeking to run additional events beyond this limit may contact Embark to discuss exceptions.
• Where scheduling conflicts arise between organizers in the same region, priority is given on a first-come, first-served basis.

Reporting Obligations

Within 72 hours of event completion, organizers must submit:

• Final standings.
• Team rosters used in the event.
• Completed Embark Esports Competitive Register Form for all point-eligible teams.
• Match results or broadcast links.
• Confirmation of no unresolved disputes.

Failure to report accurately or on time may result in loss of RFI eligibility for the event, probation, or revocation of future sanctioning.

Gameplay Integrity

Organizers may not impose rules that restrict how players engage with core game mechanics. This includes banning gadgets, forcing contestant build restrictions, restricting specializations, prohibiting intended mechanics, or requiring specific playstyles.

The competitive game is defined by Embark. Organizers define the format, schedule, and structure, not the gameplay itself.

If a potential bug or exploit is identified, organizers should report it to Embark and await guidance before enforcing any restriction. Only Embark may authorize temporary gameplay restrictions.

Branding Rules

You are required to insert the disclaimer where applicable:

"This event is operated independently. Embark Studios is not responsible for tournament operations or prize distribution."

Language that's allowed:

• "Sanctioned by Embark Studios".
• "Partnered with Embark Studios".
• Event listings referencing RFI points.

Language that's not allowed:

• "Official Championship".
• "Embark Presents".

Compliance

Embark enforces compliance through a structured escalation process:

• Written Warning - Formal notification with required corrective measures.
• Probation - Enhanced review of future sanctioning applications for a minimum of six (6) months.
• Sanctioning Revocation - Removal from the sanctioning program.

The following may result in immediate revocation without prior warning:

• Failure to distribute advertised prize pools.
• Confirmed match-fixing or competitive integrity violations.
• Fraudulent sanctioning applications.
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest.
• Operating under a proxy arrangement to circumvent a previous revocation.

For full compliance details including appeals, see the Running Sanctioned Events document.

Appeals

Appeals may be submitted in writing to esports@embark-studios.com within fourteen (14) days of the decision. Embark will review and respond within thirty (30) days.

Where sanctions, point revocations, or penalties are applied, Embark will provide a written explanation of the reasoning to the affected organizer.

Contact

For Tier 2 sanctioning inquiries: esports@embark-studios.com