Blizzard has officially revealed details for its Hearthstone Masters 2019 season. Back in November 2018, Blizzard announced the company was working to ensure Hearthstone esports would evolve to a program that is more accessible, more entertaining, and more sustainable.
Get ready to start YOUR competitive journey with #HearthstoneMasters!
— Hearthstone Esports (@HSesports) February 21, 2019
Sign up now for the online Masters Qualifiers and learn more about the 2019 program, the new Specialist format, and our first Masters Tour showdown in Vegas: https://t.co/RTNylZz0H0 pic.twitter.com/1iruhhVnlI
The first part of this new program is the Hearthstone Masters Qualifiers. Considered as the entry tier, the qualifier is open to all players who are eligible. During a Masters Tour qualifying season, Blizzard will conduct around 30 tournaments per week. All matches will be hosted through Battlefy.
A player who wins a Masters Qualifier will be invited to participate in the corresponding Masters Tour tournament. Registration will begin two weeks before the start of each Masters Qualifier. The first tournament is scheduled to start March 5.
Participation in the Masters Tour is not limited it to the Masters Qualifiers, as the top players in the Standard Ranked Play Ladder can also qualify for the Masters.
The first Hearthstone Masters Tour will be on June 14 to 16 at the LINQ Hotel in Las Vegas. Up for grabs is a chance at the $250,000 prize pool. Blizzard plans to have a Masters Tour in both Europe and Asia in the future. The actual dates and locations for these events will be revealed at least two weeks before the start of the associated Masters Qualifiers season.
There are a number of ways to participate in the Masters Tour this year. Along with winning an online Masters Qualifier or earning a spot in the top four of a Ranked Ladder Qualifier, invitations to the Masters Tour can be won through licensed third-party tournaments as well. Players can also qualify through the China Gold Series, finishing out Year of the Raven with Hearthstone Competitive Points amounting to at least 120, and having been a top performer at a previous Masters Tour.
Blizzard has also teased a Hearthstone Grandmasters but has yet to reveal details.
Registration for the upcoming Hearthstone Masters Qualifiers is open at Battlefy.
