The Major and MRQ invitations are just around the corner. On April 7th, Valve will announce the teams that made it to the Major and the closed qualifiers (MRQ) in every region. The next few weeks will be crucial for many teams still fighting for their spots. Some are on the edge of qualification and need every point they can get. Let’s break down the most important upcoming tournaments and why they matter so much.

Galaxy Battle 2025 // STARTER

• Dates: March 11 - 31, 2025
• Prize Pool: $30,000
• Format: Online (Europe)

The Galaxy Battle 2025 is in the playoff stage right now. It’s one of the most important events before the invite announcement. The tournament features teams like Passion UA, Fnatic, OG, and ECLOT. These are all teams that are still on the edge of MRQ invites. Winning here would give them a massive boost in ranking points.

The prize pool of $30,000 makes it even more important, especially for tier-2 and tier-3 teams. The winner will take home $15,000 and crucial points that could secure their invite. The competition is tough, but the reward is worth it. Teams are giving their best to make it count.

Tipsport Cup Spring 2025

• Dates: April 4 - 6, 2025
• Prize Pool: $8,023
• Format: Offline (Prague, Czech Republic)

The Tipsport Cup Spring 2025 is another important event right before the invite announcement. It’s a LAN tournament held in Prague, which adds extra value to the points gained here. The local favorites, ECLOT and SINNERS, are the main teams to watch. They are fighting hard to grab their spot at the MRQ.

The prize pool may seem small, but the significance of a LAN victory is huge. A strong performance here could almost guarantee a spot in the MRQ, especially since LAN results often carry more weight in Valve’s ranking system.

YaLLa Compass Qatar 2025: Closed Qualifier

• Dates: April 2 - 3, 2025
• Prize Pool: $75,000
• Format: Online (Europe)

This short two-day qualifier is one of the most important events of the month. The YaLLa Compass Qatar 2025 Closed Qualifier has a massive prize pool of $75,000, making it stand out from other qualifiers. Teams will not only secure a spot in the main event but also gain a big boost in ranking points.

Many teams will be fighting for every spot here, as a win could make the difference between qualifying and staying home. Even though it’s just a qualifier, the stakes are incredibly high. It’s one of the last chances to earn ranking points before the MRQ announcement.

MESA Pro Series Spring 2025

• Dates: April 1 - 3, 2025
• Prize Pool: $10,000
• Format: Offline (Mongolia)

The MESA Pro Series Spring 2025 is another key event, especially for Asian teams. It’s a LAN tournament, which means more ranking points and a better shot at MRQ invites. The prize pool of $10,000 is decent for a regional event, but the real value lies in the ranking boost.

Asian teams have fewer opportunities to gain points, so this tournament is vital. Winning here could secure a spot in the MRQ or at least get a better seeding. Teams need to use this chance wisely, as it might be their last shot at earning valuable points.

MESA Pro Series 2025: Road to Nomadic Masters

• Dates: April 5 - 6, 2025
• Prize Pool: $10,000
• Format: Offline (Mongolia)

This is the second MESA event of the month, and it’s just as important as the first one. It’s another LAN event, which is rare for Asian teams. Winning here is crucial for gaining enough points to secure an MRQ invite. It’s a quick but intense event where top teams will try to prove their worth.

PGL Astana 2025 Qualifiers

• Dates: End of March - Early April 2025
• Format: Online (Regional)

The PGL Astana 2025 Qualifiers are one of the biggest qualification events before the Major. It’s a global qualifier, with teams from Europe, North America, South America, and Asia all fighting for spots. In total, 32 teams per region will participate, making it one of the most competitive qualifiers of the season.

Winning these qualifiers means a spot at one of the biggest LAN events of the year. The event itself has a prize pool of $1.25 million. Additionally, the teams earn crucial ranking points. For some, it’s their last chance to push into the top spots before MRQ invites are finalized.

FiReLEAGUE Buenos Aires 2025: Qualifiers

• Dates: April 3 - 6, 2025
• Format: Online (South America)

The FiReLEAGUE Buenos Aires 2025 Qualifiers are crucial for South American teams. Some of the most notable participants are Imperial, Fluxo, 9z, and RED Canids. These teams are aiming to secure a spot in the main event, which will give them a significant ranking boost.

The South American qualifiers are split into regional divisions, including Brazil and other Latin American regions. Winning here is vital, as it will not only guarantee a spot at the LAN event but also solidify the teams’ ranking points.

Why These Tournaments Matter

These tournaments are the final push for many teams before the MRQ invites are announced. They represent a last chance to earn ranking points and prove that they deserve a spot. The Valve ranking system puts a lot of emphasis on recent performances, so good results here can make all the difference.

Winning a LAN event or a high-prize qualifier not only brings financial rewards but also solidifies a team’s place on the ranking list. Teams that don’t perform well here might find themselves out of the running, while those that excel will lock in their spots or even get a better seeding. The next few weeks will be intense for all competing teams. With so many crucial events crammed into a short period, every match will count.