Hi all!

It was amazing to celebrate all things Siege in-person with you all at the Six Invitational, and to crown our new World Champions!

With Season 2022 officially done and dusted, it's time to share more on the work we have been doing on Season 2023 together with BLAST. With this comes a new name, fresh look and feel and three exciting destinations for our upcoming Majors and the Six Invitational 2024.

Welcome to BLAST R6, the global esports circuit for Rainbow Six Siege, launching in the week of March 6th!

Let's have a look.

Table of content:

• Road to the BLAST R6 Majors
• The 9 regions & their paths to the Majors
• Coming next
• Path to the Six Invitational

road to the blast r6 majors

As revealed in December, each of the 2 stages of our competitive year will be concluded by an extended Major, which will gather teams from all 9 regions.

In May 2023, we will welcome you to join us in BLAST's hometown, as we bring BLAST R6 to Copenhagen, Denmark for our very first Major of the season.

Then, in November 2023, we will head to the United States for our second Major.

And finally, for the Six Invitational 2024, all roads will lead to Brazil to crown our new World Champions!

The BLAST R6 Majors' competitive structure

Starting in 2023, the Majors will be divided into 3 phases.

The 1st phase will gather 16 teams, coming from all 9 regions:

• 2 teams from Europe
• 2 teams from North America
• 2 teams from Brazil
• 2 teams from Japan
• 2 teams from South Korea
• 2 teams from Hispanic Latin America
• 2 teams from Asia
• 1 team from Oceania
• 1 team from MENA

At the end of the first phase of the Major, the top 8 teams will progress to the second phase, joining 8 other teams that will have directly qualified by performing well in their respective closed leagues.

The second phase will see 16 teams compete:

• The 8 teams coming out of the first phase of the Major
• The top 2 teams from the closed EU League
• The top 2 teams from the closed NA League
• The top 2 teams from the closed Brazil League
• The top team from the closed Japan League
• The top team from the closed South Korea League

At the end of the second phase, the top 8 teams will advance to the Playoffs, for a chance to become the BLAST R6 Major Champions of this stage and win a part of the total prizepool of the event. Each Major will have a total prizepool of USD $750,000.

Additionally, the 9-region structure of BLAST R6 will give us the opportunity to assess the strength of each individual region throughout the years, and to adjust accordingly how we allocate the number of teams that each region can send to the Majors. This will allow us to adapt the circuit to the growth of each region's community and their engagement with esports.

the 9 regions & their path to the majors

europe

In Europe, during each stage, 2 paths to qualify for the Major will coexist:

• The EU Open, the open path to qualify for the Major.
• The EU League, which will gather up to 10 teams competing in a closed league.

Let's dive into each of those paths.

The EU Open is a qualifier composed of 2 phases: open qualifiers, followed by qualifiers playoffs.

• an unlimited number of teams in Europe can register to compete in the open qualifiers. The top 11 teams from the open qualifiers will then advance to the qualifier playoffs.
• In the EU Open, the qualifier playoffs will gather 16 teams: 11 coming from the open qualifiers, the runner-up of Season 2022's European Challenger League, Tenstar, and the bottom 4 teams from the EU League.  

Ultimately, the EU Open qualifies 4 teams to the next step in the path to qualify for the Major, the Major EU Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).

The Europe League will follow a 2-step competitive format:

At the start of the season, the EU League will see up to 10 teams compete:

• Rank 1 to 6 will advance to a second phase of the league during the stage, where they will compete in a modified GSL.
• Rank 7 to 10 will join the EU Open in the qualifiers playoffs.

Then, at the end of the modified GSL:

• Rank 1 & 2 will directly qualify to the Major's second phase.
• Rank 3 will progress to the 1^st phase of the Major (the new additional phase).
• Rank 4 to 6 will join the Major Europe LCQ.

The Major EU LCQ will feature 8 teams. In 2023, it will be comprised of:

• 3 teams from the EU League
• 4 teams from the EU Open
• the winner of Season 2022 European Challenger League, Dunlimited.

The winner of the Major EU LCQ will advance to the 1^st phase of the Major.

north america

In North America, during each stage, 2 paths to qualify for the Major will coexist:

• The NA Open, the open path to qualify for the Major.
• The NA League, which will gather up to 10 teams competing in a closed league.

Let's dive into each of those paths.

The NA Open is a qualifier composed of 3 consecutive phases:

• Up to 128 teams in North America can register to compete in the 1^st phase of the open qualifiers. More details on the number of teams that will advance from phase 1 to phase 2 and then to phase 3 will be shared in the coming weeks.
• In the NA Open, the qualifiers phase 3 will be comprised of up to 6 teams, including the bottom 4 teams from the NA League.  

Ultimately, the NA Open qualifies 2 teams to the next step in the path to qualify for the Major, the Major NA LCQ.

The NA League will follow a 2-step competitive format:

At the start of the season, the NA League will see up to 10 teams compete:

• Rank 1 to 6 will advance to a second phase of the league during the stage, where they will compete in a modified GSL.
• Rank 7 to 10 will join the NA Open in Phase 3.

Then, at the end of the modified GSL:

• Rank 1 & 2 will directly qualify to the Major's second phase.
• Rank 3 will progress to the 1^st phase of the Major (the new additional phase)
• Rank 4, 5, and 6 will join the Major NA LCQ

The Major NA LCQ will feature up to 8 teams, including, in 2023:

• 3 teams from the NA League
• 2 teams from the NA Open.
• the winner of Season 2022 NA Challenger League, RealityTV

The winner of the Major NA LCQ will advance to the 1^st phase of the Major.

brazil

In Brazil, during each stage, 2 paths to qualify for the Major will coexist:

• The Brazil Open, the open path to qualify for the Major.
• The Brazil League, which will gather up to 10 teams competing in a closed league.

Let's dive into each of those paths.

The Brazil Open is a qualifier composed of 2 phases: open qualifiers, followed by qualifiers playoffs.

• an unlimited number of teams in Brazil can register to compete in the open qualifiers. The top 12 teams from the open qualifiers will then advance to the qualifiers playoffs.
• In the Brazil Open, the qualifiers playoffs will gather 16 teams: 12 coming from the open qualifiers, and the bottom 4 teams from the Brazil League.  

Ultimately, the Brazil Open qualifies 4 teams to the next step in the path to qualify for the Major, the Major Brazil LCQ.

The Brazil League will follow a 2-step competitive format:

At the start of the season, the Brazil League will see up to 10 teams compete:

• Rank 1 to 6 will advance to a second phase of the league during the stage, where they will compete in a modified GSL.
• Rank 7 to 10 will join the Brazil Open in the qualifiers playoffs.

Then, at the end of the modified GSL:

• Rank 1 & 2 will directly qualify to the Major's second phase.
• Rank 3 will progress to the 1^st phase of the Major (the new additional phase).
• Rank 4 to 6 will join the Major Brazil LCQ.

The Major Brazil LCQ will feature 8 teams. In 2023, it will be comprised of:

• 3 teams from the Brazil League,
• 4 teams from the Brazil Open,
• and the winner of Season 2022's Brazil Challenger League, Supernova.

The winner of the Major Brazil LCQ will advance to the 1^st phase of the Major.

japan

In Japan, during each stage, 2 paths to qualify for the Major will coexist:

• The Japan Open, the open path to qualify for the Major.
• The Japan League, which will gather up to 8 teams competing in a closed league.

Let's dive into each of those paths.

The Japan Open is a qualifier composed of 2 phases: open qualifiers, followed by qualifier playoffs.

• an unlimited number of teams in Japan can register to compete in the open qualifiers. The top 5 teams from the open qualifiers will then advance to the qualifier playoffs.
• In the Japan Open, the qualifier playoffs will gather 8 teams: 5 coming from the open qualifiers, and the bottom 3 teams from the Japan League.  

Ultimately, the Japan Open qualifies 5 teams to the next step in the path to qualify for the Major, the Major Japan LCQ.

The Japan League will follow a 2-step competitive format:

At the start of the season, the Japan League will see up to 8 teams compete:

• Rank 1 to 6 will advance to a second phase of the league during the stage, where they will compete in a modified GSL.
• Rank 7 & 8 will join the Japan Open in the qualifiers playoffs.

Then, at the end of the modified GSL:

• Rank 1 will directly qualify to the Major's second phase.
• Rank 2 will progress to the 1^st phase of the Major (the new additional phase).
• Rank 3 to 5 will join the Major Japan LCQ.
• Rank 6 will join the Japan Open in the qualifiers playoffs.

The Major Japan LCQ will feature 8 teams:

• 3 teams from the Japan League,
• 5 teams from the Japan Open.

The winner of the Major Japan LCQ will advance to the 1^st phase of the Major.

south korea

In South Korea, during each stage, 2 paths to qualify for the Major will coexist:

• The South Korea Open, the open path to qualify for the Major.
• The South Korea League, which will gather up to 8 teams competing in a closed league.

Let's dive into each of those paths.

The South Korea Open is a qualifier composed of 2 phases: open qualifiers, followed by qualifier playoffs.

• an unlimited number of teams in South Korea can register to compete in the open qualifiers. The top 5 teams from the open qualifiers will then advance to the qualifier playoffs.
• In the South Korea Open, the qualifier playoffs will gather 8 teams: 5 coming from the open qualifiers, and the bottom 3 teams from the South Korea League.  

Ultimately, the South Korea Open qualifies 5 teams to the next step in the path to qualify for the Major, the Major South Korea LCQ.

The South Korea League will follow a 2-step competitive format:

At the start of the season, the South Korea League will see up to 8 teams compete:

• Rank 1 to 6 will advance to a second phase of the league during the stage, where they will compete in a modified GSL.
• Rank 7 & 8 will join the South Korea Open in the qualifiers playoffs.

Then, at the end of the modified GSL:

• Rank 1 will directly qualify to the Major's second phase.
• Rank 2 will progress to the 1^st phase of the Major (the new additional phase).
• Rank 3 to 5 will join the Major South Korea LCQ.
• Rank 6 will join the South Korea Open in the qualifiers playoffs.

The Major South Korea LCQ will feature 8 teams:

• 3 teams from the South Korea League,
• 5 teams from the South Korea Open.

The winner of the Major South Korea LCQ will advance to the 1^st phase of the Major.

hispanic latin america

 In Hispanic Latin America, during each stage, 2 paths to qualify for the Major will coexist:

• The LATAM Opens, one for Latin America North and one for Latin America South, the open paths to qualify for the Major.
• The LATAM League, which will gather up to 8 teams competing in a closed league.

Let's dive into each of those paths.

The LATAM Opens are divided in two, with a division dedicated to LATAM North and a division dedicated to LATAM South. For both LATAM North and South, the qualifier is composed of 2 phases: open qualifiers, followed by qualifiers playoffs.

• Up to 64 teams per division in Hispanic LATAM can register to compete in the open qualifiers. In both LATAM North and South divisions, the top 8 teams of each division of the open qualifiers, will then advance to the qualifiers playoffs.  

At the end of the qualifiers playoffs, in both LATAM North and LATAM South:

• The top team will advance directly to the Major LATAM LCQ
• The runner up will compete in a pre-LCQ alongside the bottom 2 teams that qualified from the LATAM League.

The LATAM League will gather up to 8 teams. At the end of the stage:

• Rank 1 will directly qualify to the 1^st phase of the Major (the new additional phase)
• Rank 2 to 5 will join the Major LATAM LCQ
• Rank 6 & 7 will join the Major LATAM pre-LCQ
• Rank 8 will not qualify

The Major LATAM pre-LCQ will feature 4 teams:

• 2 teams from the LATAM League,
• 1 team from the LATAM South Open (the runner-up)
• 1 team from the LATAM North Open (the runner-up)

The Major LATAM LCQ will feature 8 teams:

• 4 teams from the LATAM League,
• 1 team from the LATAM South Open (the winner)
• 1 team from the LATAM North Open (the winner)
• 2 teams from the Major LATAM pre-LCQ.

The winner of the Major LATAM LCQ will advance to the 1^st phase of the Major.

asia

In Asia, during each stage, 2 paths to qualify for the Major will coexist:

• The Asia Opens, the open path to qualify for the Major.
• The Asia League, composed of 2 separate closed leagues: one for Southeast Asia (up to 8 teams) and one for South Asia (up to 8 teams).

Let's dive into each of those paths.

The Asia Opens are divided in two, with a division dedicated to SEA and a division dedicated to South Asia. For both SEA and South Asia, the qualifier is composed of 2 phases: open qualifiers, followed by qualifiers playoffs.

• An unlimited number of teams in the Asia region can register to compete in the open qualifiers. The top 5 teams from the open qualifiers will then advance to the qualifier playoffs.  
• In the Asia Open:
  • the SEA qualifiers playoffs will gather 10 teams: 5 coming from the SEA open qualifiers and the bottom 5 teams from the SEA closed league
  • The South Asia qualifiers playoffs will gather 12 teams: 5 coming from the South Asia open qualifier and the bottom 7 teams from the South Asia closed league.  

In the Asia Open, SEA and South Asia will both qualify 2 teams to the next step in the path to qualify for the Major, the Major Asia LCQ.

In the Asia League:

• The SEA closed league will gather up to 8 teams. The top 3 teams will progress to the Major Asia LCQ, while the bottom 5 teams will join the Asia Open in the SEA qualifiers playoffs.

• The South Asia closed league will gather up to 8 teams. The top team will progress to the Major Asia LCQ, while the bottom 7 teams will join the Asia Open in the South Asia qualifiers playoffs.

The Major Asia LCQ will feature 8 teams:

• 4 teams from the Asia League (3 from SEA and 1 from South Asia)
• 4 teams from the Asia Open (2 from SEA and 2 from South Asia)

The top 2 teams of the Major Asia LCQ will advance to the 1^st phase of the Major.

oceania

In Oceania, during each stage, an unlimited number of teams can register to compete in the Oceania Open, a qualifier composed of 2 phases: open qualifiers, followed by qualifier playoffs.

In the Oceania Open, the qualifiers playoffs will be comprised of:

• The top performing teams from the open qualifiers will advance to the qualifier playoffs. Exact number to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
• Up to 5 selected legacy teams from the region which will be invited directly to the qualifiers playoffs.

Up to 7 teams will then progress to the Oceania League, where they will join selected legacy teams from the region. The Oceania League will be comprised of up to 8 teams.

The top-ranked team from the Oceania League will qualify to the first phase of the Major (the additional phase).

mena

In MENA, during each stage, an unlimited number of teams can register to compete in the MENA Open. The top 8 teams will then compete in the MENA League. The top-ranked team from the MENA League will qualify to the first phase of the Major (the additional phase).

coming next

As announced during the Six Invitational, Season 2023 will kick off on the week of March 6.

The detailed competitive format of the BLAST R6 Opens and Leagues in all 9 regions, as well as the calendar of playdays, where to watch the matches and the list of participating teams, will be communicated in upcoming updates.

path to the six invitational

In BLAST R6, the entire season is a race to score points to qualify for the Six Invitational, the pinnacle of the competitive year that will gather the 20 best teams every season.

Throughout 2023, teams will score points all season-long hoping to head to the sunny shores of Brazil in early 2024.

With BLAST R6 consisting of 9 regions, we are adjusting the Six Invitational Point System (see below).  The top 20 teams in the Global Standings at the end of the season will qualify to the Six Invitational.

The Six Invitational Point System

At the regional level, each stage, teams will be ranked based on their performance in their attempt to qualify to the Major and will score points accordingly.

At the international level, teams will score points based on their performance at each Major.

At the end of each stage, the points that a team will score at the Major will be added to the points already scored at the regional level.

Let's have a deeper look.

At the end of each stage, in all 9 regions of BLAST R6, teams will be ranked based on their performance in their attempt to qualify to the Major. The top 8 teams in each region will score points for the Six Invitational.

• Europe, North America and Brazil

• Japan and South Korea

• Hispanic Latin America

• Asia

• Oceania and MENA

With the new extended format of the Majors, each Major will grant points to a total of 24 participating teams across all 3 phases of the event.

stay in touch

Don't miss anything about BLAST R6 by following us on Twitter at @R6esports and @Rainbow6Game, Instagram and on our website.