Schedule for 2026

All times are at 8 pm US Eastern Standard time unless specified otherwise.

February 7th, 2026: Pieces list is revealed and nomination round begins. Play-in matches are opened.

February 14th, 2026: Nomination round and play-in matches end. Bracket is finalized and revealed. Bracket contest begins.

February 23rd, 2025: Bracket submissions are closed.

February 21st-23rd: Matches #1-4. 

February 23rd-25th: Matches #5-8.

February 25th-27th: Matches #9-12.

February 27th-March 1st: Matches #13-16.

March 1st-3rd: Matches #17-20.

March 3rd-5th: Matches #21-24.

March 5th-7th: Matches #25-28.

March 7th-9th: Matches #29-32.

First round ends.

March 9th-11th: Matches #33-36.

March 11th-13th: Matches #37-40.

March 13th-15th: Matches #41-44.

March 15th-17th: Matches #45-48.

Second round ends.

March 17th-19th: Matches #49-52.

March 19th-21st: Matches #53-56.

Round of 16 ends.

March 21st-23rd: Matches #57-58.

March 23rd-25th: Matches #59-60.

Quaterfinals end.

March 25th-27th: Match #61, honorable mentions contest (pieces eliminated round 1 or earlier)

March 27th-29th: Match #62, honorable mentions contest (pieces eliminated round 2 or later)

March 29th-April 5: Match #63 (final), third place match, and awards voting.

Reveal on April 10th (10:00 PM, US Eastern). Tournament ends.