Hero Esports Reveals Format and Schedule of 2025 Asian Champions League CS2

Hero Esports has revealed the structure of the Asian Champions League (ACL) Counter-Strike 2, the first Tier 1 tournament exclusively for the Asian region. The event, which is part of the Valve Regional Standings (VRS), offers a $300,000 prize pool and features four distinct stages, culminating in an offline Grand Final at the first-ever DreamHack Shanghai.

Tournament Format

Open Qualifiers: China

The Open Qualifiers for China are divided into two phases:

Rookie Stage (February 15 – March 30, 2025): Open to all teams in China, this stage uses a single-elimination format with both BO1 and BO3 matches. Eight regional winners will be decided by March 23, each receiving $4,000. These winners will then compete in a double-elimination bracket on March 29-30, with the top four advancing to the next phase.
Rookie Advanced Stage (April 10 – April 13, 2025): The four qualified teams will join four invited teams in a double-elimination bracket. The top four teams will move on to the Closed Qualifiers Asia.

Closed Qualifiers: Asia (April 17 – April 27, 2025)

This stage introduces eight invited teams ranked #5-16 in the VRS to the four teams from the Open Qualifiers. Matches will follow a double-elimination format, with both BO1 and BO3 series. Four teams will advance: two from the winners' bracket and two from the losers' bracket.

Playoffs (May 6 – May 11, 2025)

The Playoffs will feature the top four teams from the Closed Qualifiers competing against the top four VRS-ranked teams in the region. The format consists of two double-elimination brackets with BO3 matches. The winners from each bracket will secure spots in the Grand Finals, while the runners-up will compete for third place.

Grand Finals (May 16, 2025)

The Grand Finals will be held offline in Shanghai at the first-ever DreamHack Shanghai, with the top two teams vying for the championship and a 1/3 share of the $300,000 prize pool.

Offline Experience

The ACL emphasizes a fully offline setup:

Open Qualifiers will take place at esports venues across China.
The Closed Qualifiers will be hosted in Ganqiang, Jiangsu.
The Grand Finals will conclude in Shanghai, highlighting the region's top talent.

Implications for Asian CS2

As the first Tier 1 Counter-Strike 2 event in Asia, the ACL could play a key role in revitalizing competitive CS in the region. By integrating rookie teams with seasoned VRS-ranked squads, the tournament creates a pathway for emerging talent to face the best in Asia.

With its structured format and substantial prize pool, the ACL is poised to become a defining event for Counter-Strike 2 in the region.