The annual tournament series returns this year with a $200,000 prize pool - the highest of any community-organized tournament.
WCA 2016 consists of several phases. Phase one, starting today, July 20th, allows players from Europe and CIS countries to sign up for the Open Qualifiers. Registration is possible until the 23rd of July, and can be done on Manacost, which is also where the Open Qualifiers will be held on. From the Open Qualifiers eight players will emerge who advance to phase two of the tournament.
In phase two the eight players from the Open Qualifiers will join eight invited players on the 16th of August, and battle for one of the four available tickets to phase three: the main event in China and, in addition, part of a $15,000 prize pool. The eight invited players are:
RDU
ThijsNL
Naiman
Pavel
SilverName
DrHippi
Kolento
Forsen
Notable absentees are Gaara, Lifecoach, StanCifka, Ostkaka and C4mlann, who all managed to qualify for the main event last year. This year players from all regions will battle in the main event for the lion's share of $150,000 which is slightly less than last year's prize pool, but still the biggest prize pool outside of Blizzcon's World Championship.
So, want to take part in the big event? Click here and sign up as soon as possible!