Valve enforces 3-month wait for Major invites after region switch

Valve has updated its VRS rules so a team can receive a Major invitation from a new region only after it has gone three calendar months without representation in a different VRS region. The three-month period is counted from the date invitations are sent, not from the tournament start date. The change is in effect for the upcoming Singapore Major.

The restriction applies to Major invitations allocated through VRS regional rankings. Valve framed the rule to prevent teams from switching their registered region shortly before invite deadlines and using a different region’s ranking to claim a slot. The company noted that teams may still compete in other tournaments regardless of the region listed for them in VRS, but they are not eligible for a Major invite from a new region unless the three-month absence requirement is met.

Valve clarified that teams which already changed region before the Singapore Major will not be eligible for a Major invite under the new rule unless competition organizers agree to an exception. Organizers can make separate arrangements with teams, but any such exemptions must be arranged directly with event hosts.

The rule followed a series of region transfers by several European organizations to the Asia VRS about a month before the Major. Teams that moved included BC.Game, WW and Sashi. BC.Game changed region after signing Tyler “asap” Patterson and then became eligible to pursue a Major invitation via the Asia region ranking.

Valve said the three-month counting method prevents last-minute region changes from being used to claim an invitation based on a different region’s standing. The requirement applies only to Major invites and does not change eligibility for regional circuits or non-Major events.

Valve has implemented the rule for the Singapore Major and communicated that exceptions are possible only through direct agreements with event organizers.