Ranked Groups (Open10 / Open9-10 NA up to Advanced):
- These are VRS Ranked events where teams play in a regular season, before the best teams earn a spot in playoffs, with the top 4 teams in each group going to the Finals.
- Eligible for VRS Points and qualification to ESL Pro League
- Require roster consistency (3 of 5 players from the previous season to maintain a spot in a higher group)
Unranked Groups (Open1–8 / Open9 in EU & NA):
- These are a VRS Unranked Event
- Ideal for new or lower-Elo teams to learn team play and get a first taste of competitive experience.
- No impact on Valve’s rankings, but an entry point to learn before seeing how far they can go in future seasons.