A sharp and long-discussed issue raised by almost everyone concerns the BO1 format at Majors played using the Swiss system. The main argument is that BO1 in the Swiss format doesn’t reflect the real strength of the teams and is more prone to upsets, since even a favorite can lose to an underdog on a single map. An example is Austin 2025, where Vitality lost to Legacy in their first Stage 3 match, but later Vitality went on to win the Major, reaffirming their dominance. It is worth noting that BO3s were still present but only in key matches that decided playoff qualification or elimination.
The most optimal format is considered to be BO3, where teams play at least two maps and at most three. This format gives teams more room to showcase their map pool and reduces the impact of randomness. It is especially advantageous for favorites, because an underdog can pull off a surprise on one map, but usually cannot sustain it throughout a full BO3 series.
Today it was announced that the format will change at the IEM Cologne Major 2026. Stage 3 will no longer feature BO1s, while Stage 1 and Stage 2 will keep them. Stage 3 is the last phase before the playoffs and one of the most important for all teams. Therefore, the switch to BO3 at this stage should benefit the tournament and most likely the teams advancing to the playoffs will indeed be the strongest ones.
As a reminder, Gentle Mates Crowned Champions of RLCS 2026 - Boston Major