VCT Shanghai Masters is entering its main and most dramatic stage - the playoffs. Eight teams, four qualified from the Swiss stage and four winners of regional leagues, enter a double-elimination bracket to determine the one and only champion.

The first round pairings were not random as direct seeds were choosing their opponents. Up until the lower bracket finals all matches will be played in the best of three format. The two final matches will be first to three wins. It is also worth noting that the grand finalist from the upper bracket will have a map veto advantage as they will be able to ban two maps.

VCT Shanghai Masters playoffs schedule:

  • May 30, 08:00 GMT - Round 1: Paper Rex vs. G2 Esports
  • May 30, 11:00 GMT - Round 1: EDward Gaming vs. Team Heretics
  • May 31, 08:00 GMT - Round 1: 100 Thieves vs. FUT Esports
  • May 31, 11:00 GMT - Round 1: Fnatic vs. Gen.G Esports
  • June 1, 08:00 GMT - Lower Bracket Round 1
  • June 1, 11:00 GMT - Lower Bracket Round 1
  • June 2, 08:00 GMT - Upper Bracket Semifinals
  • June 2, 11:00 GMT - Upper Bracket Semifinals
  • June 3, 08:00 GMT - Lower Bracket Round 2
  • June 3, 11:00 GMT - Lower Bracket Round 2
  • June 7, 08:00 GMT - Upper Bracket Final
  • June 7, 11:00 GMT - Lower Bracket Round 3
  • June 8, 09:00 GMT - Lower Bracket Final (Bo5)
  • June 9, 09:00 GMT - Grand Final (Bo5)

The winner will earn $350,000, while the total prize pool of the tournament is one million dollars.

Main image: alphacoders.com