Why Does MSI's "Double Elimination" Format Not Have a Bracket Reset?
I have only been heavily interested in planning to watch the entire MSI (and all of the other tournaments that I can catch up to) this year. I was delighted to know that the format is double elimination. However, I watched some of the past MSI matches and ultimately realized that there's no bracket reset. Why is that?
Coming from an FGC background, it just feels weird to me. Imagine being part of the undefeated team, cruising your way to the grand finals, and all of a sudden, your "second chance" just gets taken away when all of the other teams had theirs. To me, that's not fair competition. Maybe it's not a proper comparison, but it's the equivalent of defeating your foes with your armor still in good condition, only to willingly remove it to fight the final boss. It just doesn't make sense to me. Regardless of expectations, all teams should get 2 chances, hence the "double" in double elimination.
Sure, it might take a toll on almost every aspect of the esport. People will have to go to work for another day, 2 teams will have to prepare yet another series, and casters will have to scream their thoughts out for one last time; but then again, for such a situational yet important feature of the double elimination format, why does it not exist in such a popular tournament?
Posted Jun 14, 2026, 12:14 PM UTC