This article explains the key dates, times, game information, and more for HSEL Fall '23 Premier. Please ensure that all team members are aware of the HSEL GENERAL TOURNAMENT RULES before registration. Please see the HSEL Registration Guide for more details on signing up.
Key Dates
ATLANTIC
| Game & Stage | Date |
| Rocket League Season | 10/2 - 11/3 |
| Rocket League Playoffs | 11/6 - 12/8 |
| VALORANT Season | 10/2 - 11/17 |
| VALORANT Playoffs | 11/27- 12/13 |
| Wild Card (LCQ) | 1/8 - 1/19 |
PACIFIC
| Game & Stage | Date |
| Rocket League Season | 10/2 - 11/17 |
| Rocket League Playoffs | 11/27 - 12/8 |
| VALORANT Season | 10/2 - 11/3 |
| VALORANT Playoffs | 11/13 - 12/13 |
| Wild Card (LCQ) | 1/8 - 1/19 |
Game Information
Rocket League is completely free to compete and does not require the purchase of a battle pass.
| Game | Team Size | Platform(s) | Match Length | Playoff Size |
| Rocket League | 3v3 | Cross-platform |
Bo5 Qual/Season Bo7 Playoffs |
Atlantic: Top 4 per Group Pacific: Top 4 |
| VALORANT | 5v5 | PC |
Bo1 Qualifiers Bo3 Season/Playoffs |
Atlantic: Top 4 per Group Pacific: Top 4 |
Tournament Format
| Stage | Description | Length |
| Qualifiers | 6 available queue rounds; participants may use up to 5. Losses will be added for unplayed matches. Must play at least 3 matches to be considered for qualification. | 2 weeks |
| Regular Season | Round Robin |
(See Key Dates) |
| Playoffs | Double elimination |
(See Key Dates) |
| Wild Card (LCQ) |
Single elimination bracket. Winner claims a spot in Nationals. Must opt-in to play.
|
5 rounds max. (depending on opt-ins) |
Regular Season Match Times
- Round Robin matches can be rescheduled to any point during the regular season if agreed upon by both teams in the match chat and requested via a support ticket.
- Upon receiving a 2nd FF no-show loss, a Premier participant will be removed from the competition and placed in the "Major" event for the remainder of the season. The participant will additionally be ineligible for that season's Wild Card.
| Game | Day | Default Match Times |
| Rocket League | Thursday |
Atlantic - 4:30 pm Central Pacific - 4:30 pm Pacific |
| VALORANT | Wednesday |
Atlantic - 4:30 pm Central Pacific - 4:30 pm Pacific |
Playoff Schedule
Click here to view the full playoff schedule!
This schedule also contains the Finals match stream schedule for both titles.
How to Qualify for Premier Playoffs
- A roster must:
- End the season at a high enough leaderboard placement (see tiebreakers below).
- The tiebreaker system will be run as a tiered protocol that will be used if multiple teams finish the regular season with the same overall record, pursuant to rule 2.11.8.1:
- Wins. (Forfeit wins and bye wins are scored as a 0-0 win)
- Head-to-head record. (If the two tied teams have played each other, their match record against each other is compared)
- Overall game-win percentage. (e.g. winning a match 3-0 is better than 3-2)
- Goal/Round/Stock differential. (Example: a VALORANT roster with 13 rounds won and 8 rounds lost will have a round differential of +5 for that match. A higher positive value is better)
- Higher opponents’ game-win percentage. (e.g. it is better to beat an opponent who consistently won 3-0 than 3-2)
- Fewer forfeit losses.
- Fewer bye wins.
- The team which had a higher number of wins before their first loss.
- If the first loss is received after the same number of wins, then the team which lost to the stronger opponent (as defined by game win percentage) will be ranked higher.
Path to HSEL Nationals
- The most direct way to claim a spot in HSEL Nationals will be through the Premier season, either in the Fall or the Spring. The following placements will qualify for Nationals
- Atlantic - Top 2
- Pacific - 1st place
- Wild Card - 1st place
- An alternative way to qualify for HSEL Nationals is by winning one of the HSEL Nationals Wild Card tournaments. All HSEL Premier participants (who have yet to qualify for Nationals) will be invited to the seasonal Wild Card, along with Major tournament regional champions. Team Admins must accept the invitation and opt-in for their roster to be seeded into the Wild Card.
- The Fall Wild Card tournament will take place in January. Details will be announced by December 15th.
- The Spring Wild Card tournament will take place in May after the conclusion of the spring seasons. Details will be announced by May 1st.