The Hero Esports Asian Champions League (ACL) has unveiled its list of invited teams for the highly anticipated $300,000 competition, which will also act as a qualifying event for the upcoming Esports World Cup. With several of Asia’s strongest teams set to participate, the tournament promises intense competition and high-stakes matchups.
Among those receiving direct invitations to the main event are four of the top seven teams in the Asia Valve Regional Standings as of February 3. FlyQuest, Lynn Vision, The Huns, and TYLOO have all secured their spots in the tournament, which will feature eight teams in total. However, two of the highest-ranked teams, The MongolZ and Liquid, reportedly declined their invitations, leaving room for others to step in. Meanwhile, ATOX, which would have been eligible based on ranking, has been disqualified following a provisional suspension issued by the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC).
While the invited teams make up half of the main event bracket, the remaining four slots will be filled through a competitive closed qualifier. A dozen teams have received invites to this stage, including Rare Atom and Rooster, both of whom are expected to be strong contenders. Additionally, four more teams will emerge from the ongoing Chinese open qualifiers, ensuring a diverse representation of squads vying for a spot at the main tournament.
The event’s structure spans multiple phases, all of which will be played on LAN. The second stage of the Chinese open qualifiers, as well as the closed qualifier, will take place between April 17-27. Following that, the group stage of the main event is scheduled from May 6-11 in Yancheng, China. The tournament will culminate in a grand final on May 16 in Shanghai, where the two group winners will battle for the championship title, while the second-place teams from each group will face off in a third-place decider.
The tournament’s prize pool distribution has also been confirmed, with the top-placing team not only securing $100,000 in winnings but also earning a coveted spot at the Esports World Cup. The runner-up will claim $60,000, while the third and fourth-place finishers will take home $40,000 and $30,000, respectively. Teams finishing in fifth and sixth place will receive $12,000 each, while the two lowest-ranked squads will still walk away with $7,000 in prize money. Furthermore, an additional $4,000 will be awarded to each team competing in the second phase of the Chinese qualifiers, offering further incentive for early-stage competitors.
As excitement builds for the tournament, the invited teams will begin their preparations to prove themselves on one of the biggest regional stages. With a spot at the Esports World Cup on the line, the Hero Esports ACL is set to be a battleground for Asia’s top-tier Counter-Strike teams, each aiming to establish dominance in the international scene.
