ALGS Year 4 Championship: $2M Prize Pool, New Map, and Complete Tournament Guide
TLDR:
- Tournament runs January 29 – February 2, 2025, in Sapporo, Japan
- 40 teams from six regions compete for $2 million prize pool
- New E-District map joins tournament rotation
- Winner takes home $600,000
- Match Point format returns with 50-point threshold
Tournament Overview
The Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) Year 4 Championship brings together the world’s best teams at the Daiwa House PREMIST DOME in Sapporo, Japan. This five-day event marks a historic moment as the first ALGS LAN in Japan, where Apex Legends has seen remarkable growth. The championship represents the pinnacle of competitive Apex Legends, with teams battling through months of qualifiers and regional championships to earn their spots.
Participating Regions
Teams qualified from six major regions:
- North America (NA)
- Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)
- Asia-Pacific North (APAC N)
- Asia-Pacific South (APAC S)
- South America (SA)
- China
Tournament Structure
Group Stage (January 29-30)
Teams are divided into four groups of ten, with a round-robin format. Each group will face every other group once, creating intense cross-regional matchups and establishing the foundation for the bracket stage. The group stage results will determine the path teams must take through the winners or elimination brackets.
| Day | Time (JST) | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| January 29 | 09:00 | Groups A & B |
| January 29 | 13:15 | Groups C & D |
| January 29 | 17:30 | Groups B & D |
| January 30 | 09:00 | Groups A & C |
| January 30 | 13:15 | Groups B & C |
| January 30 | 17:30 | Groups A & D |
Bracket Stage (January 31 – February 1)
The bracket stage introduces a double-elimination format, giving teams multiple chances to advance while ensuring only the strongest reach the finals. This stage often produces some of the most memorable moments in competitive Apex Legends.
| Stage | Date | Time (JST) | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elimination Round 1 | January 31 | 12:00 | Bottom 20 from Groups |
| Winners Bracket | February 1 | 11:15 | Top 20 from Groups |
| Elimination Round 2 | February 1 | 16:45 | 20 Teams |
Match Point Finals (February 2)
The finals introduce the unique Match Point format, creating intense drama as teams must both reach the 50-point threshold and secure a victory to claim the championship. This format has produced some of the most exciting moments in ALGS history, with teams sometimes needing multiple match-point opportunities before securing the win.
Prize Distribution
The $2 million prize pool represents the largest in ALGS history, distributed as follows:
| Placement | Prize Money | Additional Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $600,000 | Championship Trophy, Auto-qualification for next Major |
| 2nd | $300,000 | Auto-qualification for next Major |
| 3rd | $200,000 | Auto-qualification for next Major |
| 4th | $150,000 | Regional Priority Seeding |
| 5th-8th | $75,000 each | Regional Priority Seeding |
| 9th-12th | $50,000 each | – |
| 13th-16th | $25,000 each | – |
| 17th-20th | $15,000 each | – |
Viewing Experience
Fans can watch through multiple official channels:
- Official Apex Legends Twitch
- Apex Legends YouTube
- FACEIT App for team POVs
The viewing experience has been enhanced this year with new features including team-specific streams, enhanced statistics, and improved spectator tools. The FACEIT app integration allows viewers to follow their favorite teams’ perspectives throughout the entire tournament.
Viewer Rewards
Watch time rewards have been significantly upgraded for this championship:
- Twitch Drops enabled
- 30-minute daily watch time required
- Rewards include:
- Exclusive legendary weapon skins
- Animated holosprays
- Special edition gun charms
- Championship-themed banner frames
New Features
E-District Map
The championship introduces the E-District map to competitive play, marking a significant evolution in the ALGS map pool. This urban battleground features:
- Dense city centers with vertical combat opportunities
- Underground transit systems for strategic rotations
- Dynamic elements that change each round
- New weapon caches and high-tier loot locations
Event Merchandise
The championship offers an extensive range of exclusive merchandise:
- Nessie bucket hats
- Year 4 Championship hoodies
- Limited edition t-shirts
- Team-specific merchandise
- Championship collector pins
Visit the Official ALGS Shop for online purchases.
Teams to Watch
Several teams enter as strong contenders, each with their own compelling storylines:
- Shopify Rebellion (Split Points leader)
- Dominated recent online tournaments
- Strong chemistry after roster stability
- Innovative tactical approaches
- Fnatic (Second in overall points)
- Consistent top performers
- Recently signed former champions
- Strong in match point formats
- Gaming Gladiators (Third in standings)
- Rising stars of the EMEA region
- Known for aggressive playstyle
- Multiple tournament wins in 2024
- Alliance (Strong recent performance)
- Team Falcons (Consistent results)
- Crazy Raccoon (Home region advantage)
About the Game
