... and the payment of any prize money by. ELEAGUE will not be made until such documentation has been completed and retu
ELEAGUE Rulebook 2016 Season 1 This document outlines the rules and regulations pertaining to Season 1 of ELEAGUE 2016. Failing to adhere to these rules and regulations may result with penalization as outlined herein. Please note that the Commissioner and any designated tournament officials have the authority to make final decisions that are not specifically delineated in these rule and regulations to preserve fair play and sportsmanship in the Commissioner’s sole discretion.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 ELEAGUE EVENT INFORMATION 3 SECTION 1.1 GROUPS 2.0 ELEAGUE SCHEDULE 4 3.0 ELEAGUE FORMAT 5 3.1 GROUP PLAY – WEEKS 1-6 3.2 LAST CHANCE QUALIFIER – WEEK 8 3.3 PLAYOFFS – WEEKS 9-10 3.4 MAPS 3.5 MAP SELECTION 3.6 SETTINGS 4.0 ELEAGUE SEASON 1 RULES 8 4.1 GAMEPLAY RULES 4.2 EQUIPMENT RULES 4.3 GENERAL RULES 13 5.0 ELEAGUE SEASON 1 CONDUCT RULES 5.1 FOUL RULES 5.2 TECHNICAL FOUL RULES 5.3 ADDITIONAL RULES 5.4 PENALTIES 6.0 LEGAL MATTERS 15
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1.0 ELEAGUE Event Information Format = Group Play & Single Elimination Bracket (Single Elimination Bracket) Dates = May 24th - July 30th Prizes = $1,400,000 1st 2nd 3rd-4th 5th-8th 9th-14th 15th-24th LCQ Winner = $
= $390,000 = $140,000 = $ 60,000 = $ 50,000 = $ 40,000 = $ 30,000 10,000
All payment arrangements will be made as provided in the Team Agreement between each team and ELEAGUE. Prize money will be paid within 90 days of the finals. Prize money will be paid out to the team unless other arrangements have been accepted by the Commissioner. Before the start of a tournament, each team must clarify with relevant tournament officials whether their payments are going to their organization or directly to the players. All taxes on prize money paid out by ELEAGUE shall be the sole responsibility of the team/ players receiving payment. Each organization/player receiving payment of prize money from ELEAGUE, as applicable, may be required to complete certain tax-related documentation prior to payment as requested by ELEAGUE, and the payment of any prize money by ELEAGUE will not be made until such documentation has been completed and returned to ELEAGUE. 1.1 Groups Group A
Group D TBD TBD TBD TBD
Group B Ninjas in Pyjamas G2 Esports Tyloo Optic
Group E TBD TBD TBD TBD
Group C Astralis CLG SK Gaming NRG
Group F TBD TBD TBD TBD
Luminosity Gaming Liquid Cloud 9 Renegades
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2.0 ELEAGUE Schedule All dates and times subject to change by the Commissioner Week 1 May 24 - 25 May 26 Group A May 27 Group A
Group A Round Robin Semifinals Finals
Week 2 May 31 – June 1 June 2 Group B June 3 Group B
Group B Round Robin Semifinals Finals
Week 3 June 7 – 8 June 9 June 10
Group C Round Robin Group C Semifinals Group C Finals
Week 4 June 14 – 15 June 16 June 17
Group D Round Robin Group D Semifinals Group D Finals
Week 5 June 21 – 22 June 23 June 24
Group E Round Robin Group E Semifinals Group E Finals
Week 6 June 28 – 29 June 30 July 1
Group F Round Robin Group F Semifinals Group F Finals
Week 7 Break, no games Week 8 July 12 - 15
Last Chance Qualifiers
Week 9 July 21 - 22
Playoffs - Quarterfinals
Week 10 July 29 July 30
Playoffs - Semifinals Playoffs – Finals
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3.0 ELEAGUE Format 3.1 Group Play – Weeks 1-6 1. The tournament will have twenty-four (24) teams in group play. Per the tournament structure, it is important that all teams play out each of their matches in order to prevail and advance. 2. Each group will consist of four (4) teams. 3. During group-stage teams play first in a Dual Round robin tournament in which they play two Best-of-One (Bo1) matches against each other team in their group. 4. Round-robin play will determine the seeding for the group playoffs with each win in the round-robin allocating one (1) point. 5. In situation where multiple teams have the same total number of points, seeds will be determined by the following criteria: - Points - Direct comparison between tied teams (which team won more points directly against the other tied teams) - Round difference between tied points (overtime will count as 16-15 for round difference) - If the above measures still result in a tie, Best-of-One (Bo1) decision games will be played amongst the tied teams 6. Group Semi-Finals Best-of-Three (Bo3) Semifinal #1 - Seed 1 vs Seed 4 Semifinal #2 - Seed 2 vs Seed 3 7. Group Finals Best-of-Three (Bo3) Winner of Semifinal #1 vs Winner of Semifinal #2 8. Teams that win the group final will advance to the playoffs in week 9. The runner-up will advance to the last chance qualifier in week 8. 3.2 Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) – Week 8 1. The LCQ will consist of the six (6) runner-ups and the two (2) highest point scoring 3rd place teams out of the six (6) groups. Ties will be determined in favor of the team with the better round differential in their round robin group play. If the above measures still result in a tie, a Best-of-One (Bo1) decision game will be played. 2. Teams are randomly placed into a single elimination bracket with all matches being Best-of-Three (Bo3) maps. 3. The two (2) teams meeting in the final are qualified for the semi-finals. 4. The winner of the LCQ final match will receive additional prize money (as indicated in the above payout breakdown in Section 1.0).
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3.3 Playoffs – Weeks 9-10 1. Playoffs will consist of the six group winners and the top two teams from the LCQ. 2. Teams are randomly placed into a single elimination bracket with all matches being Best-of-Three (Bo3) maps. 3.4 Maps 1. De_cache 2. De_cbble 3. De_dust2 4. De_nuke 5. De_mirage 6. De_train 7. De_overpass 3.5 Map Selection 1. Group Play – Round Robin matches: Each team has to send in two map bans by 6 pm ET on the Monday before the respective week of play to chase.
[email protected]. ELEAGUE staff will then randomly pick the two maps to be played for each round robin matchup out of the maps from the pool that have not been banned by either team. If a team fails to timely communicate their bans, their bans will not be considered. 2. For all Best-of-Three (Bo3) matches: a. Coin flip winner decides who is Team A and Team B. b. Team A bans 1 map c. Team B bans 1 map d. Team A picks the map for game 1 e. Team B picks the map for game 2 f. Team A bans 1 map g. Team B bans 1 map h. The remaining map that has neither been picked or banned yet will be played as map 3 if necessary. 3. For all Best of One’s (Bo1) in case of a decider match for a tied spot: a. Coin flip winner decides who is Team A and Team B b. Team A bans 1 map c. Team B bans 1 map d. Team A bans 1 map e. Team B bans 1 map f. Team A bans 1 map g. Team B bans 1 map h. The remaining map that has not been banned will serve as the Bo1 decider match map.
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3.6 Settings 1. A knife round is played before each map with the winning team choosing starting sides 2. Round-time = 1:55 minutes 3. Freeze-time = 20 seconds 4. Buy-time = 20 seconds 5. C4 timer = 40 seconds 6. Overtime Money = $10,000 7. Overtime Rounds = 3 rounds per half
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4.0 ELEAGUE Season 1 Rules 4.1 Gameplay Rules 1. Each game will consist of two (2) 15-round halves. A game will end if a team reaches 16-round wins in the second half. If the score of a game is tied after 15 rounds, overtime will be played. Overtime consists of two (2) three-round halves. Players will start each overtime half with $10,000. A game will end if a team reaches four-round wins in the same overtime. If the score of an overtime is tied after six rounds, another overtime will be played. 2. Players will have at least 15 minutes before the start of a match and 10 minutes between each game of a match to setup and ensure their mouse, keyboard, earbuds, and headset are working properly. Fifteen-minute time limits will begin after the conclusion of the preceding match at that station. Ten-minute time limits will begin at the conclusion of the preceding game. There will be a five-minute break at half-time and all players will wait for the officials’ word before starting the next half. All time limits will be strictly enforced. 3. Teams are not allowed to leave the stage without permission from tournament officials. 4. Teams will be given five (5) minutes to strategize after the game 1 map has been identified. 5. With one (1) minute of pre-game remaining the tournament director will notify the teams that the game will be beginning shortly and to be prepared to start. 6. No warm-up or practice games are permitted once the match’s first game has begun. 7. Players may not use the alias jump throw bind. Players are allowed to use the macro jump throw. 8. Clipping is not permitted. A player will be considered to be clipping if they boost their character through a solid object or manipulate their character in order to see over, under, and/or through a solid object. 9. Pixel walking is not permitted. A player will be considered to be pixel walking if they manipulate their character into sitting or standing on invisible map edges. 10. The bomb may not be planted in a location where it cannot be defused, in a location where it is not touching a solid object, or in a location where it is not making the normal “beeping” noise. 11. Players may not use objects to cover a bomb in such a way that it cannot be defused. 12. Players may not defuse a bomb through a solid object. 13. Players and coaches may not look at an opposing player’s monitor or projected screen during a game. 14. Players and coaches may not intentionally manipulate a teammate’s mouse or keyboard during a game. 15. Only five (5) players and one (1) coach are allowed on stage at any given time during competition. 16. Breaking one of the gameplay rules 7-15may result in a forfeit of the game. 17. Teams are allowed one (1) 2-minute timeout per game.
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18. If a player or staff member loses their connection to the server during the first minute of the game, no kills have been registered, and the bomb has not been planted, the game must be restarted from the beginning of the round. 19. If a player disconnects from a round/game that will not be restarted, they will be allowed to rejoin the game, but their character will be considered dead in the round during which they disconnected. If all players on a team are disconnected from a game at the same time, and the game will not be restarted, the team will forfeit the round. 20. If a staff member disconnects from a game that will not be restarted, but all players remain in the game, the round must be completed. 21. The use of in-game changing scripts is strictly prohibited. 22. Only game-related chat is allowed during live gameplay. 4.2 Equipment Rules 1. Players must provide their own mouse, keyboard, mouse pad, and earbuds for use on stage as well the in their practice rooms. 2. For tournament matches, players and coaches must use the PC, monitor, tournament station headset, team communication software, and network equipment provided by ELEAGUE. If a player finds that an issue has occurred with any of this equipment, such players should pause the game and notify a tournament official immediately. Players are exclusively responsible for ensuring proper function of the audio equipment prior to the start of all games. 3. If a tournament official is able to confirm that an issue has occurred, they will determine whether the game should be restarted, the game win should be awarded to a team, or the conditions under which the game should be resumed. Restarted and resumed games will use the match medic system. Use of the match medic system must be approved by the tournament director. 4. All player equipment is subject to the approval of the Commissioner and designated tournament officials. ELEAGUE reserves the right to deny the use of any equipment, device or other facilitative object suspected of providing an unfair competitive advantage. ELEAGUE also reserves the right to inspect all equipment. 5. Players must submit all configuration and driver requests to
[email protected] by 5:00 PM ET on the Thursday before your team’s week of play. 6. Mice and keyboards must utilize standard USB interfaces. Players may not use PS2 interface equipment. 7. Players competing in a tournament match must wear their earbuds in their ears for the duration of all games. Players and coaches competing in a tournament match must wear the ELEAGUE-provided headset over their ears for the duration of all games. 8. Players may not use third party applications, programs, or download any software onto tournament computers without approval from an ELEAGUE official. 9. Players may not use a USB flash drive or other storage device.
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10. Players may not alter game files or modify drivers. 11. Players may not change the video settings in Windows. 12. During a game, players may not have applications, browsers, or streams open other than the CS:GO client and any necessary drivers. 13. Players who break equipment rules 6-12 above, may be given a warning or may be subject to forfeit the game. After the first warning, each subsequent warning that a team receives will result in a forfeit of the game. 14. ELEAGUE will attempt to help players with technical issues related to their mouse, keyboard, or earbuds, but will not allow such issues to delay the tournament. 15. If a player’s equipment is malfunctioning they will have five (5) minutes to replace the malfunctioning equipment before they will be forced to use a ELEAGUE-provided mouse or keyboard. 16. All players (including substitutes) will be required to turn in all keyboard/mice they will be using for the week on the Monday of the week’s play. 17. Equipment that is provided by ELEAGUE for use in the Player Practice Rooms must remain in Player Practice Rooms at all times. 4.3 General Rules 1. Players/Teams that are disqualified prior to the start of a game will not be allowed to play in the game. Players/ Teams that are disqualified during a game must disconnect from the game. Players/Teams that are disqualified will not receive any benefits (prize, etc.) for their ranking in the tournament. Such Players/Teams may also be subject to a ban from a future tournament(s). 2. All player and coach apparel must be approved by ELEAGUE. ELEAGUE reserves the right to require the removal of unapproved apparel as well as the right to disqualify a player/team for wearing unapproved apparel. 3. Teams must have at least four (4) players present in order to start a game. A team will forfeit game 1 if they do not have at least four (4) players present by five (5) minutes prior to a match’s scheduled start time (grace period). If a team has forfeited game 1, they will forfeit a Bo3 series if they do not have at least four (4) players present by 15 minutes prior to the match’s scheduled start time. Teams that played a previous game(s) in a match will forfeit games 2 and 3 if they don’t have at least four (4) players present by 10 minutes after the conclusion of the previous game (grace period). Teams with four (4) players present will be forced to start a game at the end of a grace period. Players are permitted to join games that are in progress, but players are not permitted to add a character to a game for a player who is absent. Bots are not permitted in any game. If teams that are scheduled to play each other both forfeit a game or match, a coin toss will determine the game/match win. If a match can’t begin at its scheduled start time, the grace period will begin at the conclusion of the station’s preceding match. 4. If a match has not been completed, players may ask their referee for permission to leave their respective station. Referees may set a time limit by the end of which the player must return to their station or they may deny the player’s request. Teams may forfeit a game(s), or be forced to play a game(s) shorthanded, if a player(s) hasn’t returned by the end of the referee’s set time limit. Teams may forfeit a game(s), or be forced to play a game(s) shorthanded, if a player(s) leaves their station without their referee’s permission, or is otherwise unable to play.
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5. In order to dispute game results, players/teams must notify the referee that they would like to protest the game before a new game has begun. In order to dispute match results, players/teams must notify their referee that they would like to protest the match before the match results have been submitted. 6. Requests made pertaining to general rules 4 and 5 will be decided upon by the Tournament Director. 7. Language used in team communication will be governed by the ELEAGUE Conduct Rules. 8. Coaches who leave the tournament area will not be allowed to return to the tournament area until a game is between rounds and they have the permission of a tournament official. 9. In-Game player names and player avatars must be pre-approved by ELEAGUE. Player avatars must consist of a player picture provided by ELEAGUE or an approved team logo. 10. All players must be 17 years of age or older. 11. All players and coaches will turn in their cell phones and all other electronic devices to the referees prior to a match, to be returned once the series is over. 12. Only players playing in the match and one more person (i.e. coach/manager) will be allowed on the stage at the time of a game. 13. The ELEAGUE Commissioner has the final ruling on all ELEAGUE tournament matters. 14. All teams must submit their five (5) man roster, including two (2) subs, by May 18th, 5:00pm EST to chase.
[email protected]. 15. Teams will be allowed to use a sub to replace another player twice per season, but replacements must be declared before plane tickets are issued. 16. Team rosters must be complete before plane tickets are issued. If a team decides to change the roster after travel arrangements have been issued, any additional costs must be covered by the respective team. 17. Players are not allowed to hang jackets or other object over the chairs, in front of cameras, or anywhere else where it deemed by ELEAGUE officials to be obstructing the broadcast or fair play of the tournament. Same rules apply to hats or hoodies covering the headphones. 18. Photography and/or audiovisual recording of any kind inside ELEAGUE events is permitted with the prior written consent of ELEAGUE. Players and/or teams may not use the names, trademarks or logos of ELEAGUE and/or its affiliated entities for any commercial purpose (including for publicity or public relations), without the prior written consent of ELEAGUE in each instance. 19. As described in the Team Agreement, ELEAGUE has permission to use team logos, player pictures and videos for use on stage material, live-streaming, television broadcasts of ELEAGUE and related events, online use, including but limited to, social media posts and videos, and for the advertising/promotion of the ELEAGUE television and/or online broadcasts, (e.g., institutional promotion), and in connection therewith, ELEAGUE corporate partners and sponsors. 20. Teams are required to be available for photo and video shooting on the Monday preceding their match days. Exact details of the photo and video shooting schedule will be delivered to teams prior to their arrival.
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21. Players, coaches and/or other team representatives shall not, at any time during ELEAGUE competitions, mention or “plug” any commercial product, service, venture or entity (including the name of an individual’s employer) (collectively, “Commercial Products/Services”), including, without limitation, by using equipment, apparel, and/or other items featuring the name/logo of such Commercial Product/Service, without pre-approval from ELEAGUE officials in each instance. ELEAGUE officials reserve the right to require teams/players to take reasonable steps to obscure (e.g., tape over) any visible manufacture names/logos on any team/player supplied equipment. 22. Each team and player will be required to use their official FaceIT account (or create one prior to the commencement of tournament play).
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5.0 ELEAGUE Season 1 – Conduct Rules 5.1 Foul Rules 1. Players and coaches may not use a USB flash drive, unplug anything from a monitor, PC, or audio equipment, or touch power units without a tournament official’s permission. Players and coaches may not move a monitor, PC, or audio equipment without a tournament official’s permission. Players and coaches may not adjust monitor settings, other than volume, without a tournament official’s permission. 2. Players may not communicate with a spectator, or a player other than a teammate, during the course of a match. 3. Players and coaches will act professionally at all times and may not curse or use vulgar or inappropriate language. 4. Coaches may not taunt an opposing player or coach. Taunting of an opposing player or coach is defined as derogatory language or gestures, aimed at an opponent, which is audible and/or visible to the opponent. 5. Players/Teams may not use a match’s designated station for warm-up games during, or prior to the start of, a match without an ELEAGUE tournament official’s permission. 6. Players/Teams that have not been eliminated from the tournament have priority over other players/teams regarding the use of stations for warm-up. 5.2 Technical Foul Rules 1. Players and coaches may not stand on chairs, tables, or other ELEAGUE equipment and will follow all rules of the venue as designated by ELEAGUE. 2. Players and coaches may not verbally abuse a tournament official. Verbal abuse of a tournament official includes, but is not limited to, the use of vulgar language directed at a tournament official, the use of insulting words or gestures directed at a tournament official, and excessive argument with a tournament official that results in the delay of a match. 3. Players and coaches may not incite spectators into taunting a player, coach, or spectator. 4. Players and coaches may not taunt or celebrate in excess. Excessive taunting/celebration includes, but is not limited to, post-match taunting or celebration directed at or referencing an opponent(s). Post-match interactions between opponents must be limited to acts of sportsmanship. 5. Players and coaches may not engage in unsportsmanlike physical contact. 6. Players and coaches may not throw anything in the direction of an opponent. Players and coaches may not throw anything into the audience or otherwise intentionally make unwanted contact with any spectator, ELEAGUE official, or other individual in attendance at any ELEAGUE event. 7. Players may not engage in any other conduct that, in the discretion of ELEAGUE officials, violates the spirit of these rules, affects the ability of ELEAGUE officials to conduct a fair and safe competition, and/or is detrimental to ELEAGUE and/or its partners.
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5.3 Additional Rules 1. Players/Teams are expected to put forth their best effort in all games. 2. Players, coaches, team staff and/or managers, and other team or player representatives shall not participate in or otherwise be involved with, either directly or indirectly, any fantasy sports, betting or gambling that uses tournament stats or results or that is otherwise related to ELEAGUE in any way, and shall not associate with betters or gamblers, or provide anyone any information that may assist betting or gambling, either directly or indirectly, any fantasy sports, betting or gambling that uses tournament stats or results or that is otherwise related to ELEAGUE in any way. Any betting or gambling by a player, coach, team staff and/or manager, or other team or player representative against his/her own team’s/player’s matches will result in immediate disqualification of the entire team and, at the discretion of the ELEAGUE commissioner, a ban from one or more subsequent ELEAGUE competitions (up to permanent expulsion from all future ELEAGUE events). 3. Players/Teams may not intentionally forfeit a game or conspire to manipulate rankings or brackets. 4. Players and coaches are expected to treat all members of ELEAGUE staff, and sponsors, with respect. 5. Public discussions of, or agreements to, avoiding the use of abilities, items, weapons, or strategies are prohibited. 6. Public statements made about private information, unofficial roster changes, and disparaging remarks made about ELEAGUE or its partners are prohibited. 7. Tournament officials are: Referees & Admins, Tournament Director, and ELEAGUE Commissioner 5.4 Penalties 1. Players and coaches found to have broken a rule set forth above in section 5.1, will be issued a foul. For every two fouls that a player or coach receives, they will be issued a technical foul. 2. Players and coaches found to have broken a rule above in section 5.2 will be issued a technical foul. If a player or coach receives a technical foul, the opposing team will be allowed to switch the side choice for 1 upcoming game in the match. If necessary, these penalties will be carried over from one match to the next. 3. Violations of any of the additional rules may result in a forfeit of the current match and/or all future matches in the tournament (disqualified). The Team may also be forced to continue the current match shorthanded. 4. Teams that forfeit a match, and players and coaches found to have broken any conduct rules may be subject to penalties such as a forfeit of a prize, a fine, and/or a ban from a future tournament(s) in the full discretion of the ELEAGUE Commissioner. 5. Tournament officials may issue a foul, technical foul, or disqualify a player/team for acts of misconduct not listed in the conduct rules to preserve fair play and sportsmanship in the Commissioner’s sole discretion.
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6.0 Legal Matters 1. Match fixing is defined as an attempting to arrange or influence, in advance, the outcome of a match, or events within the match, usually for the purpose of making money, often from betting. Participants, directly or indirectly, are not allowed to accept from, or offer to, any person or entity (whether they are participants or otherwise) any bribes/gifts/rewards of any nature in relation to seeking to influence the outcome, result of, conduct of, a match or the competition. Participants are under a strict obligation to immediately report to ELEAGUE officials any approach, or any offer of a bribe/gift/ reward made to them, or any other participant, related to seeking to influence the outcome, result, or conduct of a match or the competition. 2. Any form of cheating and/or ghosting is strictly forbidden and may lead to immediate disqualification and previous matches may also be reviewed. ELEAGUE officials may opt to deduct further points and/or disqualify the team from the league entirely. The team may also lose any seeding for future ELEAGUE tournaments. 3. Participants shall act in a professional manner at all times at the site of each match, at the ELEAGUE official hotel, and in official ELEAGUE transportation, and shall refrain from acting in a vulgar, abusive, or offensive manner or engaging in any illegal activity. 4. Team Agreements: Each team and its players remain subject to all of the terms and conditions contained in the Team Agreement, and any conflict between these rules and regulations and the Team Agreement shall be resolved in favor of the Team Agreement. 5. Spirit of the Rules. Finality of all decisions regarding the interpretation of these rules, player and team eligibility, scheduling and staging for the tournament and related events, and penalties for misconduct, lie solely with the ELEAGUE Commissioner, the decisions of which are final. ELEAGUE decisions relating to these rules and/or the tournament cannot be appealed and shall not give rise to any claim for monetary damages or other legal or equitable remedy. These rules may be amended, modified or supplemented by ELEAGUE, from time to time, in order to ensure fair play and the integrity of ELEAGUE.
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