Following the conclusion of the VCT Masters Shanghai Swiss Stage, it's now the turn for the first-seeds to join the action in Shanghai. The regional champions for the first stage of the season, including Paper Rex, 100 Thieves, EDward Gaming, and Fnatic, will join G2 Esports, FUT Esports, Team Heretics, and Gen.G Esports in the playoffs.
The VCT Masters Shanghai Playoffs will follow a double-elimination bracket, where teams will be able to only lose one match. All of the games will be BO3 series except for the Lower Final and the Grand Final, which will be BO5 matches.
Here's a look at the first four playoff matches at the VCT Masters Shanghai!
The VCT Masters Shanghai playoffs will include the four regional first seeds and the best four teams from the Swiss Stage.
Unexpectedly, Paper Rex chose G2 Esports as their quarter-finals opposition, with both teams clashing for the first time since the Berlin-based organization moved to America. Meanwhile, VCT America's first seed 100 Thieves chose FUT Esports, who qualified for Shanghai's Top 8 following the team's victories against Dragon Ranger Gaming and Leviatán.
The only remaining Chinese side in the competition, EDward Gaming, will play against Team Heretics, who defeated the also-Chinese sides Dragon Ranger Gaming and FunPlus Phoenix to qualify for the VCT Masters Shanghai playoffs.
Last but not least, Fnatic will play against Gen.G Esports. While the European roster qualified for Shanghai following the team's comeback against Team Heretics at the VCT 2024 EMEA League Stage 1 grand final, the VCT Masters Madrid finalists sneaked into Shanghai's Top 8 after their victories against Leviatán and FunPlus Phoenix.
While we know what the first playoff series will be in Shanghai, the schedule hasn't been unveiled yet. However, we know that the first round of Shanghai's playoff will be played on May 30.