FACEIT Launches Challenger Queue with a $15,000 Prize Pool

FACEIT has officially announced Challenger Queue, a brand-new elite matchmaking queue for Europe's top players, launching alongside Season 9. During the first five days of the new season, participants will compete for a $15,000 prize pool as well as exclusive individual achievement awards.

Access to the Challenger Queue will be granted to players from teams ranked in the top 50 of the European VRS rankings, along with the top 500 European players from FACEIT Season 8. If a player qualifies through both criteria, their additional slot will be passed on to the next highest-ranked player based on ELO.

The Challenger Queue will run from August 5 to August 9, every day between 6:00 PM and 11:00 PM CEST. Players will only be able to queue solo or as a duo.

The scoring system is straightforward:

• +6 points for every win;

• −4 points for every loss;

• A winning streak of three or more matches grants an additional +2 bonus points for each consecutive victory.

Out of the total prize pool, $10,000 will be distributed among the top 10 players on the leaderboard. The remaining $5,000 will be awarded across several special categories, including:

• Best Young Player;

• Best Unsigned Player outside the VRS team rankings;

• Best Player from a Team outside the European VRS Top 50;

• Best Veteran Player (30+ years old);

• Best Player from a European VRS Top 10 Team.

The launch of Challenger Queue coincides with the start of FACEIT Season 9 on August 5. Alongside the new queue, FACEIT will also introduce a stricter enforcement policy, increasing ban durations for cheating, smurfing, stream sniping, and repeated rule violations.

FACEIT to Toughen Penalties for Cheating and Smurfing Ahead of Season 9

With Challenger Queue, FACEIT aims to provide Europe's highest-level players with an even more competitive environment while rewarding consistent performance and individual excellence.