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# Dunkest Cup
After the success of the first season, the Dunkest Cup is back this year with a major new feature: it is splitting into two separate cups! Dunkest Cup 1 & 2.
π What are the Dunkest Cups
They are two head-to-head knockout competitions in which only selected teams will participate, based on their position in the standings at the start of the Cup.
The competition begins with a group stage, followed by a knockout stage leading all the way to the final, which will determine the sole winner.
***
### Dunkest Cup 1
π
When is it played?
Dunkest Cup 1 takes place during the following period:
| **Stage** | **Rounds** |
| --------------------- | ---------- |
| ποΈ **Group Stage** | G5 β G18 |
| βΈοΈ **Cup Break** | G19 |
| βοΈ **Knockout Stage** | G20 β G31 |
**G19 is a break day for Dunkest Cup 1.**
No Cup matches are played during this Round.
π How to qualify
The **16,000 teams** participating in Dunkest Cup 1 are determined based on the **Overall Standings**.
At the end of **G4**, the **top 16,000 teams in the Overall Standings** qualify for Dunkest Cup 1.
Want to play in Dunkest Cup 1?
**You must finish G4 among the top 16,000 teams in the Overall Standings.**
Once you qualify, you will be placed into one of the **2,000 groups of 8 teams**.
###
ποΈ Group Stage
The **16,000 participating teams** are divided into **2,000 groups of 8 teams**.
Each team faces every other team in its group **twice**, once in the first leg and once in the second leg.
The group stage takes place over **14 Rounds**, from **G5 to G18**.
#### ποΈ Who advances?
At the end of the group stage, the following teams advance to the knockout bracket:
* π₯ the **1st-place teams** in each group β **2,000 teams**
* π₯ the **2nd-place teams** in each group β **2,000 teams**
* π₯ the **96 best 3rd-place teams**
In total, **4,096 teams** qualify for the knockout stage.
**Finishing third is not enough:** only the **96 best 3rd-place teams** across all groups advance to the bracket.
Your final position in the group therefore determines your path to the knockout stage.
βοΈ Knockout Bracket
The **4,096 qualified teams** enter the knockout bracket.
From this point on, everything changes: **there are no more groups and no second chances**.
In each round, teams face each other in a head-to-head matchup. The winner advances to the next round, while the losing team is eliminated from the Cup.
The knockout stage takes place over **12 Rounds**, from **G20 to G31**.
π Prizesβ
| **Position** | **Prize** |
| ------------ | ------------------- |
| 1st | 750β¬ Amazon Voucher |
| 2nd | 250β¬ Amazon Voucher |
***
### Dunkest Cup 2
π
When is it played?
Dunkest Cup 2 takes place during the following period:
| **Stage** | **Rounds** |
| --------------------- | ---------- |
| ποΈ **Group Stage** | G34 β G47 |
| βΈοΈ **Cup Break** | G48 |
| βοΈ **Knockout Stage** | G49 β G58 |
**G48 is a break day for Dunkest Cup 2.**
No Cup matches are played during this Round.
π How to qualify
The **4,000 teams** participating in Dunkest Cup 2 are determined based on the **Overall Standings**.
At the end of **G33**, the **top 4,000 teams in the Overall Standings** qualify for Dunkest Cup 2.
Want to play in Dunkest Cup 2?
**You must finish G33 among the top 4,000 teams in the Overall Standings.**
Once you qualify, you will be placed into one of the **500 groups of 8 teams** in the Cup.
ποΈ Group Stage
The **4,000 qualified teams** are divided into **500 groups of 8 teams**.
Each team faces every other team in its group **twice**, once in the first leg and once in the second leg.
The group stage takes place over **14 Rounds**, from **G34 to G47**.
#### ποΈ Who advances?
At the end of the group stage, the following teams advance to the knockout bracket:
* π₯ the **1st-place teams** in each group β **500 teams**
* π₯ the **2nd-place teams** in each group β **500 teams**
* π₯ the **24 best 3rd-place teams**
In total, **1,024 teams** qualify for the knockout stage.
**Finishing third does not automatically mean elimination:** the **24 best 3rd-place teams** across all groups advance to the knockout bracket.
βοΈ Knockout Bracket
The **1,024 qualified teams** enter the knockout bracket.
From this point on, there are no more groups: **every matchup is decisive**.
In each round, teams face each other in a head-to-head matchup. The winner continues their journey, while the losing team is eliminated from the Cup.
The knockout stage takes place over **10 Rounds**, from **G49 to G58**.
### π 10 Rounds. 1,024 teams. One winner.
From the first round to the final, every matchup could be the decisive one.
π Prizes
| **Position** | **Prize** |
| ------------ | ------------------- |
| 1st | 500β¬ Amazon Voucher |
| 2nd | 200β¬ Amazon Voucher |