Invites for IEM Sydney EU & NA closed qualifiers announced

ESL has revealed the invites for the European and North American closed qualifiers for IEM Sydney.

In both regions, the qualifying process will begin with two open qualifiers that will see the finalists progress to a closed bracket. The four qualified sides will be joined by four invitees to duke it out for the region's qualifying slot at IEM Sydney.

The open qualifiers will use the same format as before, with a best-of-one setting being used up until the decider matches, which will be best-of-three series.

The first leg of open qualifiers will begin on Wednesday, with registration available until one hour before the start. The dates, time and signup links can be found below:

Europe

EU Open Qualifier 1 - January 30-31 | 18:00
EU Open Qualifier 2 - February 2-3 | 18:00

North America

NA Open Qualifier 1 - January 30-31 | 00:00
NA Open Qualifier 2 - February 2-3 | 00:00

As the world No.12, North are the highest-ranked team of the four European invitees. The Danish side will be desperate to make amends following their failure to qualify for the IEM Katowice Major.

The team list for the Europe closed qualifier currently looks as follows:

Across the pond, No.15 side Ghost headline the invite list for the North American closed qualifier alongside Luminosity, who currently round out the top 30 ranking.

The team list for the qualifier currently looks as follows:

Both closed qualifiers will be played on the same dates, February 6-8, with the format being a double-elimination, best-of-three bracket, with the final being played in a best-of-five setting.