Tournament Rules for Competitors
Format
- All Games will be played on default settings unless otherwise noted in the “Games and Payouts” section for each game.
- All Tournament Matches are 2/3 matches unless otherwise noted in the “Games and Payouts” section for each game. Winners, Losers and Grand Finals for all games are 3/5!
- All Games are double elimination. Games with larger turnouts will be split up into Pool Play.
- Winners must keep same characters unless noted otherwise in “Games and Payouts” section for each game.
Checking In
- You are responsible for checking into your pool before the official start time. If you are called for your match and are not present, you may be put into the losers bracket or disqualified at the judge’s discretion.
- If you are entered into multiple tournaments and are required to play in two or more at the same time, whether it be in pools or top 8, please notify the judges running those brackets to avoid any DQs.
Competition
- If players disagree on which side they play on or which stage to use, selection will be determined by playing Rock, Paper, Scissors. Winner may choose.
- If both players cannot agree on a stage within 10 seconds after selecting their characters, stage select is random, unless noted otherwise in specific game rules. If a banned stage is selected randomly, the stage should be selected again until a legal stage is selected.
- Accidentally pausing the game at any time during your match will force you to forfeit the round. If the game does not have more than one round (such as DBFZ), the player who paused loses that game. In case a pause occurs, notify a bracket runner or game lead immediately before resuming play.
- Turbo functions on all controllers are banned.
- Players are responsible for bringing their own arcade sticks/control pads as we cannot provide controllers for competitors. Wireless controllers are banned unless plugged into the console directly. All controllers must be plugged into the console using a wire. If you wish to use converters, you must bring your own. Cronus and CronusMax Wireless converters are also banned.
- Collusion of any kind with your competitors is considered cheating and will result in the collaborating players being immediately disqualified. This determination is to be made at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director. Anyone disqualified in this manner forfeits all rights to any titles or prizes they might have otherwise earned for that tournament.
- All competitors are responsible for checking for synced wireless pads on the console, and for desyncing them before playing a match to avoid disruptions. Pads can be desynced by going to options, devices, blue tooth devices, select controller, hit options button, select forget device. If a match is disrupted by a synced wireless controller, players should inform the bracket runner immediately and hold off on continuing the match. A game judge will determine how to proceed depending on the situation.
- Coaching is allowed with one 30-second coaching break in a set between games. Coaches must be named before the matches begins. Coaches are not allowed on stage next to their players while a game is being played.
See below for game-specific rules.
Official 2026 Tournaments
PS5 console / PS4 software
ARC WORLD TOUR,
PLATINUM QUALIFIER
• Best 2/3 Rounds
• Best 3/5 Games per Set (entire tournament)
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
• Full Arc World Tour rules will be enforced.
Playstation 4 Pro
• Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
• 3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Eclipse color choices (color 23) can’t be used
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
PC
• Shadow, Gold and EX characters are banned
• Banned Stages: I-no’s boss stage
Playstation 5
• Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
• 3/5 Games for all of top 8
• Random stage select (players may agree on stage)
• 99s timer, Control Type: Modern or Classic, motion blur OFF, Input delay reduction ON, must set Button Release On or Off in main menu
• In case of “Double K.O.” on the Game screen, the match will not be scored. Both Players replay the tied Match with same characters and stage.
Playstation 5
• 3/5 Rounds, 2/3 Matches, 60s timer
• 3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Character Customizations: Off
• The stage must be randomly selected for every game. Must choose random stage select with rematch after every set.
PS5 console / PS4 software
ARC WORLD TOUR,
PLATINUM QUALIFIER
• Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
• 3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
• Full Arc World Tour rules will be enforced.
• V-Sync turned on.
PS5 console / PS4 software
ARC WORLD TOUR,
PLATINUM QUALIFIER
• Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set. 3/5 Games for all matches in Top 8.
• Character blind pick allowed. Losing player may change characters.
• Stage select is random. Players may agree on a stage.
• Lunalu is banned
• Full Arc World Tour rules will be enforced.
Playstation 5
SWC 2026 MASTER 1 QUALIFIER
• V-Sync: OFF, Motion Blue: ON, S.P.G: D-pad
• Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set. 3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Winner keeps character, Loser may switch. “Double K.O.” = replay last match, no changes
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage). Dream Amusement Park and Freight Express stages are banned
• Infinite combos, game-breaking glitches are banned
PS5 console / PS4 software
SWC 2026 MASTER 3 QUALIFIER
• 2/3 Games per Set
• 3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Winner keeps team but can change order
• Loser of prior game may switch characters and order
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
Various Consoles
• Must use provided controllers
• Round & Set numbers will vary
• Different Game in every bracket round
• Every pool will utilize different games
• DETAILED MYSTERY RULES
PC
RIVALS OF AETHER 2
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FINAL STOP
$2,000 TOP 8 POT BONUS
• The tournament will be run on the latest patch
• SEE FULL DETAILED RULES HERE
Playstation 4 Pro
• Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
• 3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
Playstation 5
• 2/3 Games per set
• 3/5 games for WF, LF, GF
• Random stage for Game 1.
• Winner keeps character. Loser can change char/stage.
Playstation 4 Pro
• Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
• 3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
PC (Provided by KomodoSwagDragon)
SKULLGIRLS COMMUNITY TOUR STOP
$5,000 TOP 8 POT BONUS
• 99s timer
• All Matches are 3/5 including Finals
• Random stage select (players may opt for
an agreed stage)
Playstation 4 Pro
• Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
• 3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
PC
• Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
• 3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Winner must keep character but may change moon
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
Playstation 5
• All Matches are 3/5 including Finals
• 180s timer per game.
• Winner of game must keep same characters but is allowed to change order of the team.
• Loser may switch characters and order or team.
Playstation 5 (MK Pro Kompetition Rules)
• 90s Timer, Best 2/3 Rounds, Best 3/5 Games per set.
• Random stage select
• Delayed final blow armor: off
• Losing player can change characters, if so, winner can switch Kameo
• Double blind selection may be requested
• We will follow MK Pro Kompetition Rules
PS4 Software on PS5 Hardware
• 2/3 Games for all tournament matches
• Winner must keep: Team, Order, and Ratio
• Loser may switch: Team, Order, and/or Ratio
• The following characters are banned E.Ryu, Orochi Iori, God Rugal, or Shin Akuma
• All Glitches viable, only hard game locking glitches may not be used
Playstation 4 Pro
• 3/5 Games per Match
• Winner must keep the same team/assists
• Loser may switch team/assists/order
PS4 Software on PS5 Hardware
• 3/5 Games per Match
• 99s, Damage: Lvl 2, Speed: Turbo 2
• Winner must keep character & assists (switch glitch ok)
• Loser may switch character
• Game breaking glitches are banned
• Stalling with post-KO dead body infinites are banned (repositioning is ok)
Japanese Arcade Cabinets
• Bring Your Own Controller
• PS3/PS4/XBOX 360/XBOX ONE Compatible
• Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
• 3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Random stage select
• Gill is banned
MiSTer
• Bring Your Own Controller
• PS3/PS4/XBOX 360/XBOX ONE Compatible
• 2/3 Rounds per Game
• 3/5 Games for all Sets
• Random stage select
• Akuma is banned
MiSTer
• Bring Your Own Controller
• PS3/PS4/XBOX 360/XBOX ONE Compatible
• 2/3 Games per Set
• 3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
Community Tournaments
Register for FFXVIII Community Tournaments HERE.
Want to bring your own mix? Apply HERE today to run your own community tournament at FFXVIII 2026.
Payout Structure
Every main event tournament, except 2XKO, requires $10 ($25 for Mystery) from each player to compete. (See the community event page for community event payouts)
Total Prize Pot = total competitors + any additional pot bonuses
Any tournament with a prize pool totaling $1,000 or more will pay out Top 8 automatically, regardless of the number of entries.
Tournaments with 1-64 competitors or less will pay out to the Top 3
• 1st place: 60%
• 2nd place: 25%
• 3rd place: 15%
Tournaments with 65+ competitors will pay out to the Top 8:
• 1st place: 50%
• 2nd place: 20%
• 3rd place: 13%
• 4th place: 7%
• 5th + 5th place: 3%
• 7th + 7th place: 2%
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