Introducing a New Tier 1 Circuit for TFT Esports

With the official reveal of TFT’s newest set, Cyber City, in the most recent Dev Drop, we dropped some exciting updates for our plans for esports in Set 15, and the crucial role that Cyber City will play in this update.

Introduction of a Pro TFT Competitive Circuit

For years, we’ve watched the best TFT players improve set over set and show that they are in a tier of their own. The best players in each region manage to qualify for the Golden Spatula and even reach the Tactician’s Crown with remarkable consistency set after set.

But after each set, we also recognize that these players are hit with a huge reset - a reset in gameplay, rank, qualification points. After a pro has their best set ever, they’re basically told to start from zero. The path back to the top requires a huge grind through every part of the ecosystem - ranked, to Trials, to Cups, all the way back until they reach a Tactician's Crown. Along the way they have some really exciting compelling matches, but many matches feel like they are checking a box. Many of the same names are seen at the tops of each of these ecosystems over and over again.

In Set 15, we are introducing a brand-new competitive layer to our current format, where the top 32 players in each region from the last set will compete in a high stakes tournament circuit - including a regular prize pool and a more direct path towards the Tactician’s Crown. This tournament series will give the best players the opportunity to showcase their skills all throughout a set. At the end of the set, they’ll go up against the very best from the Ranked, Trials, and Cups ecosystem who are looking to claim their spot in the next set’s circuit.

These changes will also help make way for new players to rise to the top of the Tacticians Trials and Cups, and make it easier to highlight the best up and coming talent in the TFT ecosystem.

What is the Qualification Process?

At the conclusion of each set, players will qualify for the next Tier 1 circuit based on their performance in that set’s Golden Spatula. In Cyber City, the top 28 of the 32 competitors from each pan-region’s Golden Spatula will qualify for the new circuit. The remaining 4 players from each region will be invited by Riot—we aim to invite players that have made outsized contributions to TFT and TFT Esports, while also considering their historical performance and addressing any gaps in regional representation. While these invitations are currently planned only for Set 15, there’s a possibility we may extend these a year or two down the road, and we’ll be sure to keep you informed well in advance.

If you don’t qualify for Set 15’s Tier 1 ecosystem, you’ll still have the opportunity to qualify for the Golden Spatula through cups and the in-game ladder, just like in the current system.

To enter—or remain in—the Tier 1 circuit for Set 16, you’ll need to be one of the 32 players who make it to Week 2 of the Golden Spatula. That’s right—Week 2…

Expansion of the Golden Spatula

In addition to our new circuit, we’re significantly expanding the Golden Spatula. Instead of a three-day, single-weekend event, the Golden Spatula in Set 15 will now span two weekends, lasting a total of six days. This event will be broken up into three phases, with the ability to qualify directly to any of the three phases depending on your performance during the set:

• Play-Ins (Day 1): 16 players compete with the top 8 advancing.

• Week 1 (Days 2 & 3): 48 players compete over two days, with the top 20 advancing.

• Week 2 (Days 4, 5, and 6): 32 players compete over the first two days, with the top 8 advancing to Day 6.

By expanding the Golden Spatula, we’re not only giving more players the chance to make an impact in the competitive scene, but also raising the stakes for our top competitors. Rather than just securing a spot in the Golden Spatula, they now have the opportunity to push for a direct qualification to the second weekend of the event.

Tier 1 Format

Back to our new circuit—how does it work?

First and foremost, we are continuing with a tournament-based format to maximize excitement on individual days and weekends while also measuring consistency across multiple tournaments in order to account for the inherently variable nature of TFT.

Each set there will be three new Tier 1 tournaments, all with the same players, with higher prize money, higher stakes, and of course, stronger competition. These will last 3 days, with the final day being just one lobby of 8 players, as we know so many fans and players love.

Qualifier Points will be used in the Tier 1 circuit, and will be the determining factor of where a player begins their run in the Golden Spatula:

1st - 12th: Qualifies for Week 2 (also requalifying the player for Set 16’s Tier 1 system)

13th - 24th: Qualifies for Week 1

25th - 32nd: Qualifies for Play-Ins

We recognize that Qualifier Points aren’t the most exciting for both fans or players, and as mentioned, we want every tournament to feel important. For that reason, Day 3 of these new tournaments will always be checkmate, and the winner will stamp their ticket straight to the Tactician’s Crown as one of their pan-region’s representatives.

We expect this evolution of the regional ecosystem brings even more excitement for fans, fosters a healthier and more rewarding environment for pros, and feels like a natural step forward as the scene continues to grow. We can’t wait to embark on this new journey with all of you!

What’s Next?

We have so much more that we are eager to share about the exciting evolution of TFT in 2025 and beyond—including Tier 1 and Tier 2 updates and more. Whether you’re a dedicated competitor or a passionate fan, stay tuned as we get closer to Set 15—big changes are on the horizon!