The Halo World Championship 2017 schedule has been announced by developer 343 Industries. Presented alongside ESL, the 2017 Finals features twelve of the top squads from around the world competing for a $1 million prize pool. Seven teams from North America, three from Europe, and one from both Latin America/South America and Australia/New Zealand will make up the final grouping. Due to feedback from last years finals, this time the format will be a group stage followed by double-elimination bracket.
Currently Counter Logic Gaming are world champions, though new talent has risen since last years finals during the Halo Championship Series. Below the announcement video you can find the full schedule for the qualifiers for each region.
QUALIFICATION
NORTH AMERICA
For North American region qualification, we’re excited to partner again with UGC and Millennial Esports for some incredible Open LAN events as well as online qualifiers.
NA Halo World Championship 2017 Qualifier: St. Louis by UGC – Jan 20-22
NA Halo World Championship 2017 Qualifier: Las Vegas by Millennial Esports – Mar 3-5
In North America there will be two Open LAN tournaments that will each send the Top 3 teams directly to the Halo World Championship 2017 Finals. The tournaments will be open for any teams that think they have what it takes, and the Top 8 will move on to the Championship bracket, where the North American HCS Pro League teams will await. More details and official handbook are coming soon.
NA Halo World Championship 2017 Online Last Chance Qualifier – March 11
After both Open LAN tournaments, teams will compete in one final Last Chance Qualifier to find the final team who will compete at the Halo World Championship 2017 Finals.
KEY DATES NORTH AMERICA:
Jan 14 – Online Seeding Tournament
Jan 20-22 - NA Halo World Championship 2017 Qualifier: St. Louis by UGC
Jan 28 – Online Qualifier #1
Feb 4 – Online Qualifier #2
Feb 11 – Online Qualifier #3
Feb 18 – Online Qualifier #4
Feb 25 – Online Qualifier #5
Mar 3-5 NA Halo World Championship 2017 Qualifier: Las Vegas by Millennial Esports
EUROPE
In Europe, our friends at Gfinity will once again host both online and Open LAN experiences, with the weekly online tournaments used to seed the Open LAN event.
EU Halo World Championship 2017 Qualifier: London (Gfinity Arena) – Feb 17-19
8 teams from Open Bracket will meet the 6 HCS Pro League teams + Top 2 in HCS points in the Championship Bracket. Top 2 teams go to HaloWC Finals.
EU Halo World Championship 2017 Online LCQ – Feb 26
KEY DATES EUROPE:
Jan 21 - Online Seeding Tournament
Jan 22 - Oniline Qualifier #1
Feb 5 - Oniline Qualifier #2
Feb 12 - Oniline Qualifier #3
Feb 17-19 - EU Halo World Championship 2017 Qualifier: London by Gfinity
Feb 26 – Online Last Chance Qualifier
LATIN AMERICA/SOUTH AMERICA
In addition to Europe, Gfinity will also be partnering up for the LATAM/South America region. Qualification will feature weekly online tournaments that lead up to the Mexico City Open LAN tournament, where just one team will make it to the main event. There’s some truly incredible talent just waiting to make their mark, but who will get their chance?
LATIN AMERICA Halo World Championship 2017 Qualifier: Mexico City – Feb 24-26
KEY DATES LATIN AMERICA
Jan 28 - Online Seeding Tournament
Jan 29 - Online Qualifier #1
Feb 5 - Online Qualifier #2
Feb 12 - Online Qualifier #3
Feb 24-26 – Latin America Halo World Championship 2017 Qualifier: Mexico City by Gfinity
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND
We’re proud and excited to partner up with ESL Australia to host a series of weekly online tournaments that will culminate in a furious and frenetic online regional qualifier to decide what top team from down under will earn the chance to make their mark in the Halo World Championship 2017.
Australia/New Zealand Halo World Championship 2017 Online Regional Qualifier – Feb 26
8-team, double elimination tournament, with the winning team heading to the Halo World Championship 2017 Finals. Weekly online tournaments will feature teams competing for cash and HCS qualifying points. Top 7 in points go to Online Regional Qualifier, with the online LCQ cup determining the finals seeding in Online Regional Qualifier.
KEY DATES AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND:
Jan 21 – Online Seeding Tournament
Jan 22 – Online Qualifier #1
Jan 29 – Online Qualifier #2
Feb 5 – Online Qualifier #3
Feb 12 – Online Qualifier #4
Feb 19 – Last Chance Qualifier
Feb 26 – Online Regional Qualifier
Needless to say, we couldn’t be more excited to get the road to the Halo World Championship 2017 underway, and hope that you will join us every step of the way. Full registration details and complete rule book will be coming soon, so make sure you stay tuned to learn how you can be part of it all. All events will be broadcasted on twitch.tv/Halo, so you don’t miss a single moment! Who will stand atop the world in 2017? Every team from each of these regions thinks they’ve got what it takes to be the last one left standing – were it so easy.