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The group stage is nearing its end, and the Playoffs are almost here! This post details the structure and schedule for the Highlander All Fun Autumn (AFA) 2025 Playoffs. Tiebreaker details and the final list of advancing teams will be announced in a follow-up post once the group stage results are finalised.

Pick/Ban Format (Best-of-Three – BO3)

All playoff matches will be played as Best-of-Three (BO3) maps.

Premiership, Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, Division 4:

The map pool for playoffs includes:

• pl_vigil_rc10
• cp_steel_f12
• pl_borneo_f2
• cp_gullywash_f9
• koth_govan_rc1
• pl_upward_f12

Maps will be decided using the following Map Elimination System:

The higher seed will get to choose whether they are Team A or Team B.

Team A bans a map
Team B bans a map
Team A picks a map (Map 1)
Team B picks a map (Map 2)
Team A bans a map
The remaining map is the decider map (Map 3)

Low, Open:

The map pool for playoffs includes:

• pl_vigil_rc10
• cp_steel_f12
• pl_borneo_f2
• cp_gullywash_f9
• koth_govan_rc1

Maps will be decided using the following Map Elimination System:

The higher seed will get to choose whether they are Team A or Team B.

Team A bans a map
Team B bans a map
Team B picks a map (Map 1)
Team A picks a map (Map 2)
The remaining map is the decider map (Map 3)

Premiership, Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, Division 4, and Low

Structure: Top 4 Teams, Single Elimination with 3rd Place Match.

Match Structure:

• Semi-Final 1: Seed #1 vs Seed #4
• Semi-Final 2: Seed #2 vs Seed #3
• 3rd Place Match: [Semi-Final 1 Loser] vs [Semi-Final 2 Loser]
• Grand Final: [Semi-Final 1 Winner] vs [Semi-Final 2 Winner]

Schedule:

• Semi Finals: Scheduling deadline is December 8th at 23:59 CET. Matches to be played between December 8th – December 14th.
• Grand Finals & 3rd Place: Scheduling deadline is December 15th at 23:59 CET. Matches to be played between December 15th – December 21st.
  
  Note on Flexibility: The Grand Finals and 3rd Place Match may be played earlier than the stated schedule if both teams have completed their Semi-Final matches and agree on an earlier time.

Open

Structure: Top 6 Teams, Single Elimination with 3rd Place Match. The 1st and 2nd seeds receive a direct pass to the Semi-Finals.

Match Structure:

• Quarter-Final 1: Seed #3 vs Seed #6
• Quarter-Final 2: Seed #4 vs Seed #5
• Semi-Final 1: Seed #1 vs [Quarter-Final 2 Winner]
• Semi-Final 2: Seed #2 vs [Quarter-Final 1 Winner]
• 3rd Place Match: [Semi-Final 1 Loser] vs [Semi-Final 2 Loser]
• Grand Final: [Semi-Final 1 Winner] vs [Semi-Final 2 Winner]

Schedule:

• Quarter Finals: Scheduling deadline is December 8th at 23:59 CET. Matches to be played between December 8th – December 13th.
• Semi Finals: Scheduling deadline is December 14th at 23:59 CET. Matches to be played between December 14th – December 18th.
• Grand Finals & 3rd Place: Scheduling deadline is December 19th at 23:59 CET. Matches to be played between December 19th – December 21st.
  
  Note on Flexibility: All subsequent matches (Semi-Finals, Grand Finals, and 3rd Place Match) may be played earlier than the scheduled dates, provided all necessary preceding matches are complete and both teams agree on an earlier time.

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