Tournament Format
Group stage 1:
Two round robin groups of four teams each, with one Chinese and one Southeast Asian group. All matches are Best-of-Three. The 1st and 2nd placed teams advance to the second round of the group stage.
Group stage 2:
Teams are re-seeded into two round robin groups of four teams each. All matches are Best-of-Three. The group winners advance to the Season 9 finals.