BLAST SLAM VIII is a tournament with mixed format, organized by BLAST as part of the SLAM series.

The event, which will take place from 22.09.2026 to 10.10.2026, 16 teams will compete for the prize pool of 750 000$. Location: Malta

 

Participants:

• Sixteen teams:
  • 11 invited teams;
  • 4 teams from the qualifiers;
  • 1 direct invite for a Americas team;

Group Stage:

• Four GSL groups with four teams in each;
• All series are played in a Bo3 format;
• The teams that finish in 1st place in each group advance to the playoffs;
• The teams that finish in 2nd place in each group advance to the “Last Chance” stage;
• The remaining teams are eliminated from the tournament;

Play-in matches:

• All matches are played in a Bo3 format;
• The winners advance to the semifinals;
• The losers advance to the quarterfinals;

“Last Chance” stage:

• All matches are played in a best-of-3 (Bo3) format;
• The winner advances to the quarterfinals;
• The loser is eliminated from the tournament;

Playoffs - 08.10.2026 - 11.10.2026:

• Double-elimination bracket;
• All matches, except for the grand final, are best-of-3 (Bo3);
• The grand final is best-of-5 (Bo5).