Instead of sixteen rounds of league play, the players will be divided into four groups. The two best players from each group moves on to a playoff, while the bottom two of each group moves on to a so called "playdown".
The playdowns will feature the third and fourth ranked players going against one another. Winning the second round of the upper bracket of playdowns keeps you in a safe spot for the next season, while the losers of the same round will have to play a relegation series against ESL Amateur Series players.
The lower bracket of the playdowns have the winners move through to the relegation series, while the losers are pushed down into the ESL Amateur Series.
Graphics by: ESL.eu
Links
ESL.eu - Source