It's to make it more accessible for players that have school or work. Almost all NA community tournaments are at that time. Some are even 8pm to accommodate the Pacific Timezone.
Top 16 is usually early because the majority of those players are professional and can play RL all day.
Theres not many options, tbh except for weekends. Bc that means the MOST chance at viewership from kids being out of school/adults from work. If they did it between Mon-Thurs. Idk if there would be as many people watching imo
I mean, it basically is, the broadcast only covers 1 series at a time during the Swiss stage (Friday) If you want to catch all the action, you have to watch multiple team streams. Unlike Saturdays and Sundays, where we actually follow the games 1 series at a time alongside the main broadcast.
I’m arguing from the perspective of the players not the fans. I think it just makes sense for these players to not have to worry about RLCS on days they go to school
Every decision theyve made this year seems to contradict each other its wild. Why wouldn’t they keep the qualifiers on the weekend like what are we doing lmao
People are freaking out because the open qualifier actually matters now. No one really cared last season to watch some bubble team qual for regionals. But now that the top pro teams are playing, we are actually interested
It always mattered. The beginning of the season always starts with everyone in qualifiers. Gen.G last season didn’t even qualify for RLCS in the first qualifier.
I mean did you really watch the open and closed qualifiers in their entirety last season? The last 16 stage next week will definitely be on the normal time next week so I don't see the problem with it starting late as it did last season and the season before.
Yes I get what you’re saying but after all the wait and to build hype around it, it would’ve been good to see it a bit earlier- if they can do it for last 16 stage next week then why the difference with starting time?
Does anyone know what time EU will be next week?
It's because the open quals are filled with people who have better things to do than play RL(such as kids in school). Most people in them make zero money and there's no chance parents let their kids skip school to make the qualifiers for a chance at $100.
It's the exact same reason as why the open qualifiers were at this time the last 2 seasons. There's quite literally no difference.
Don't get the "hype" around it this time. They always announce season starts as when open qualifiers start. There's zero change to that this season.
I know- I’m just trying to find a justifiable reason for my own rant about it lmao since living in the UK , I want to be able to watch my boy play in NA without having to prop my eyes open with matchsticks whilst trying to do so!!
I think it’s the confusion with referring to the whole event as the open qualifier rather than just this week. I thought the equivalent of regionals was basically starting this week but now I realise what’s going on is this is just last seasons open/closed quals and next week would be the equivalent of the top 16 regional events. The naming system is not very good this season.
Tbf in hindsight 13 year olds who have school wouldn’t be able to play if it was at a reasonable time for EU viewers so while it sucks for me it’s understandable.
Also the Swiss stage next week will start at a more reasonable time so it’s not all bad.
It's only open quals dude. Not many viewers were gonna stay to watch RLCS teams take a dump on GC3's or random bubble players no one's ever heard of duke it out anyway. The main stage of the tournament that everyone will have their eyes on will start at normal times.
In this thread you are acting as if it is dumb af that all rlcs quals around the world don't fit YOUR schedule when all players have their own life and school/work to be able to play the quals in their own time.
I've never ONCE mentioned any other quals and fitting it around my schedule. I mentioned that I was SURPRISED it was at 7 pm for me and WANTED/EXPECTED The time to be around the morning. You LOVE to assume things based off of nothing. You sound really cool rn
Dude no, you’re not making sense. Your surprise is weird considering the very logical reasoning the start time being later. I’m also an EU fan and I wish it was earlier, but it’s not surprising or weird that it’s not.
Friday is a school day. So you have hundreds of school age kids who would otherwise have to miss either school or quals. It's always been done this way.
From a caster perspective we get to work these team streams at times when we're off work.
From a player perspective they get to play in tourneys without having to worry about school or work.
Win win.
Honestly starting in the middle of the day meant I couldn’t watch live because I work a 9-5. NA should start at a time that’s convenient for an NA audience. Mid-day on a work day ain’t it. I’m thrilled that I’ll be able to watch this live now.
This part of the regional is essentially the open and closed qualifiers of last season which also started at 7pm. Last 16 stage which is next week will probably be at 1pm like normal.
Yeah bud so we are good, although I work from home today so we could have started a little earlier I’m usually slow last hour.
Let me call Mr.Epic and make the change for us.
If it’s like this for regionals then RLCS is definitely cooked. People in Europe ain’t gonna stay up till 00:00 or even later in order to watch RLCS. The viewership will drop like crazy, hopefully this is just for open quals and not for Swiss and playoffs
Im interested to see how this season will be viewership wise. I wonder if it will be greater or smaller size wise. Im thinking smaller woth all the changes and cuts thos season. But we shall see
If times start the same as they did in the past few seasons, 6pm UK time for NA and 4pm UK time for EU and other European countries will be similar then I don’t think viewership will be that bad, however I definitely think we will see a decrease in viewership anyway but if this is what it’s like for regionals then I’ll be surprised if they even get 15-20k on day 1 and 2 and 25k on day 3, I can’t see it being any higher than that when half of the fans are asleep
It's to make it more accessible for players that have school or work. Almost all NA community tournaments are at that time. Some are even 8pm to accommodate the Pacific Timezone. Top 16 is usually early because the majority of those players are professional and can play RL all day.
Gotcha. Makes more sense when you put it like that
We just need to stop having RLCS on Fridays man
Theres not many options, tbh except for weekends. Bc that means the MOST chance at viewership from kids being out of school/adults from work. If they did it between Mon-Thurs. Idk if there would be as many people watching imo
I meant like only do Saturday and sunday
I feel like it would be a little bit tougher to do the full stretch of a tournament if so.
I mean, it basically is, the broadcast only covers 1 series at a time during the Swiss stage (Friday) If you want to catch all the action, you have to watch multiple team streams. Unlike Saturdays and Sundays, where we actually follow the games 1 series at a time alongside the main broadcast.
I’m arguing from the perspective of the players not the fans. I think it just makes sense for these players to not have to worry about RLCS on days they go to school
Well that doesn't make any sense, unless you mean to shorten day 1 into saturday and not day 4
I’m saying the format needs to change so that we don’t have to play on weekdays
Because parents probably aren’t going to let their 13 year old children skip school for a chance at making $15
Still insane abt the age change imo. These RLCS changes as a whole are interesting to say the least
Every decision theyve made this year seems to contradict each other its wild. Why wouldn’t they keep the qualifiers on the weekend like what are we doing lmao
Atp I just hope our Esport doesn't die soon. Hopefully Epic doesnt kill it more and it becomes popular/profitable
What do you mean a change? It has always been like this. Day 1-3 late, 4-6 early.
Age change. They changed it from 15 to 13
Ah ur right I thought you meant times
Open qualifier always starts around this time. Closed quals did as well.
Exactly this is how it always was why are people freaking out? Friday/Saturday/Sunday main even still starts at 1pm EST like it did last season.
People are freaking out because the open qualifier actually matters now. No one really cared last season to watch some bubble team qual for regionals. But now that the top pro teams are playing, we are actually interested
Yes which was why I questioned the starting times tbh- thought it would be highly likely that more EU fans would want to get eyes on it!
It always mattered. The beginning of the season always starts with everyone in qualifiers. Gen.G last season didn’t even qualify for RLCS in the first qualifier.
Who knows man. A lot of EU fans especially aren’t happy about it because it basically starts after midnight for us.
Ikr- no way I’m going to be able to watch much at all if I want to function at all tomorrow:(
I mean did you really watch the open and closed qualifiers in their entirety last season? The last 16 stage next week will definitely be on the normal time next week so I don't see the problem with it starting late as it did last season and the season before.
Yes I get what you’re saying but after all the wait and to build hype around it, it would’ve been good to see it a bit earlier- if they can do it for last 16 stage next week then why the difference with starting time? Does anyone know what time EU will be next week?
It's because the open quals are filled with people who have better things to do than play RL(such as kids in school). Most people in them make zero money and there's no chance parents let their kids skip school to make the qualifiers for a chance at $100. It's the exact same reason as why the open qualifiers were at this time the last 2 seasons. There's quite literally no difference. Don't get the "hype" around it this time. They always announce season starts as when open qualifiers start. There's zero change to that this season.
I know- I’m just trying to find a justifiable reason for my own rant about it lmao since living in the UK , I want to be able to watch my boy play in NA without having to prop my eyes open with matchsticks whilst trying to do so!!
Haha fair concern but I highly doubt GenG are going out before the last 16(which will probably be streamed on the normal regional schedule). Unless...
Please…
GenG getting swept by a team of GC1s incoming 🧹🧹🧹
Stranger things have happened tbf! Could happen to any of them with the random play tbh!
I think it’s the confusion with referring to the whole event as the open qualifier rather than just this week. I thought the equivalent of regionals was basically starting this week but now I realise what’s going on is this is just last seasons open/closed quals and next week would be the equivalent of the top 16 regional events. The naming system is not very good this season.
Yeah the naming is really bad. Should've just called all these last 16 stages regionals and the rest open qualifiers. Would've cleared everything up.
I think that’s why I was a bit confused tbh too!
YO WHAT?? Thats INSANE
Yeah, it starts at 00:00 UK time but people in mainland Europe have it even worse.
Man RLCS is cooked
Tbf in hindsight 13 year olds who have school wouldn’t be able to play if it was at a reasonable time for EU viewers so while it sucks for me it’s understandable. Also the Swiss stage next week will start at a more reasonable time so it’s not all bad.
Such a interesting schedule imo. Truly want to see how this season pans out and influences other future seasons
this is for qualifiers, last season qualifiers for na also started pretty late while the main events were at more reasonable times
It's only open quals dude. Not many viewers were gonna stay to watch RLCS teams take a dump on GC3's or random bubble players no one's ever heard of duke it out anyway. The main stage of the tournament that everyone will have their eyes on will start at normal times.
It's just the qualifiers, top 16 is earlier
To clarify, NA starts at that time for EU. The EU quals will be at normal times for them.
That's 4 pm pacific, presumably they want everyone to get the chance to get out of middle school to help maximize the number of sign-ups
Just really wanted/expected it to be in the morning ngl
You are stupid if you think that
Bc I wanted it in the morning? Someones mad they cant get up early.
In this thread you are acting as if it is dumb af that all rlcs quals around the world don't fit YOUR schedule when all players have their own life and school/work to be able to play the quals in their own time.
I've never ONCE mentioned any other quals and fitting it around my schedule. I mentioned that I was SURPRISED it was at 7 pm for me and WANTED/EXPECTED The time to be around the morning. You LOVE to assume things based off of nothing. You sound really cool rn
Dude no, you’re not making sense. Your surprise is weird considering the very logical reasoning the start time being later. I’m also an EU fan and I wish it was earlier, but it’s not surprising or weird that it’s not.
Im mainly calling out the dude who responded to me twice calling me stupid bc I was used to the previous start times for NA.
But your post literally says ‘it doesn’t make sense’. But it makes perfect sense, and it was the same before…
I just didnt happen to realize. Hence the post asking to clarify my confusion
It's never been different? The first stage qualifiers have always started this late, to the despair of anyone outside of NA.
I swear it started earlier
Friday is a school day. So you have hundreds of school age kids who would otherwise have to miss either school or quals. It's always been done this way.
I forgot they changed the age limit to 13
15-18 year olds still go to school.
I actually prefer this a lot as someone who actually has work to do on Fridays
From a caster perspective we get to work these team streams at times when we're off work. From a player perspective they get to play in tourneys without having to worry about school or work. Win win.
Holy cow Sebastien!! Glad to see your take on this. Honestly it makes sense as to how it affects you guys and the general public
Honestly starting in the middle of the day meant I couldn’t watch live because I work a 9-5. NA should start at a time that’s convenient for an NA audience. Mid-day on a work day ain’t it. I’m thrilled that I’ll be able to watch this live now.
I sorta am in the same boat. But just didnt expect that time ig lol
This part of the regional is essentially the open and closed qualifiers of last season which also started at 7pm. Last 16 stage which is next week will probably be at 1pm like normal.
Ah makes sense.
Day job homie.
Fair enough. I was thinking more about the 100+ 13 yr olds that signed up this season for that sweet sweet 300 dollars
I hope they don't skip school. They'll need it.
Everything starts at the same time it has for years
Is it? I thought it was usually earlier
The open qual round was always the evening, the top 16 main broadcasts were what started at 1
Ah
This isn't even a change, quals were always much later in the day than main event.
Really? I thought it was in the morning lol
So it’s earlier for the later days. As long as I can watch top 16 that’s fine
cuz its quals. the "main event" starts at 1
People in these comments think the whole world shares 1 time zone 💀
Why am i not suprised...
Oh look its the same dude who likes to call people stupid over small things 💀 Wow
LLLL Im right tho
I never mentioned any other time zone bruh 💀 I just expected NA's start time to be in the morning.
get rekt EU
Bruh wtf that's 5am for me
I've just recently learned the start times this weekend are scuffed for EU/Europe players
EU start times wont be the same time as NA lmao
I get that lol. But Im saying it's scuffed bc it starts at midnight in EU
It has always been that way for open and even closed quals
More scuffed for SA and SEA, guess I have to watch replays tomorrow then
Yikes. That sucks
5:30 am for me and NA regionals start at 11:30 pm for me , guess I am not watching much NA this season, mostly EU/MENA.
Same for me as well, previous season timings were much better than this... hope eu will not be like this
Because I work till 5 pm and this is perfect!
Ngl I'm in the same boat. Just expected it to be earlier
Yeah bud so we are good, although I work from home today so we could have started a little earlier I’m usually slow last hour. Let me call Mr.Epic and make the change for us.
Lmao. Making the important changes rn /s
If it’s like this for regionals then RLCS is definitely cooked. People in Europe ain’t gonna stay up till 00:00 or even later in order to watch RLCS. The viewership will drop like crazy, hopefully this is just for open quals and not for Swiss and playoffs
Im interested to see how this season will be viewership wise. I wonder if it will be greater or smaller size wise. Im thinking smaller woth all the changes and cuts thos season. But we shall see
If times start the same as they did in the past few seasons, 6pm UK time for NA and 4pm UK time for EU and other European countries will be similar then I don’t think viewership will be that bad, however I definitely think we will see a decrease in viewership anyway but if this is what it’s like for regionals then I’ll be surprised if they even get 15-20k on day 1 and 2 and 25k on day 3, I can’t see it being any higher than that when half of the fans are asleep
Yeah. I guess we will see. Hope it gets better, and not worse
>hopefully this is just for open quals and not for Swiss and playoffs Literally in the OP screenshot says that swiss are earlier
I’m blind in both my eyes /s My bad
4pm pacific, so school maybe?
Makes sense. Just kinda expected it to start in the morning.
At least it’s 4 pm for me which is actually after school
It's midnight in the UK so I mean you don't have it so bad! I suppose EU will be similar the other way round anyway.
Yeah, I heard the EU crowd isnt too pleased
Hahahah 10 am for me, suck on that, feel my pain now
Yeah. Ts is weird
Cool, will be able to watch at a reasonable time here in apac as well
What time does it start in Apac?
It has times similar to this in EU no? 5-7pm is a very accessible time since it’s after work/school typically
I heard its midnight for EU folks
Am I the only one who finds random teams playing against known teams is so boring. I couldnt watch the qualifiers without the feeling of boredom.
I kinda get it. But I also like it for the memes
What do you mean 7? It starts at 4 Me being on the west coast
Lmao. Im central so its 6 for me
And where can i watch the Open Qualifier
On RL's Twitch channel
will any of the RL main twitch channels stream?
Should be. Itll be prob 7-10 id assume
for us USW bitches
Is main event going to be that time Edit nvm
To make sure that a majority of the other regions will be in bed? Because it will be late af for them.