• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 07:54
CET 13:54
KST 21:54
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book15Clem wins HomeStory Cup 289HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview13Rongyi Cup S3 - Preview & Info8herO wins SC2 All-Star Invitational14
Community News
ACS replaced by "ASL Season Open" - Starts 21/0212LiuLi Cup: 2025 Grand Finals (Feb 10-16)15Weekly Cups (Feb 2-8): Classic, Solar, MaxPax win2Nexon's StarCraft game could be FPS, led by UMS maker9PIG STY FESTIVAL 7.0! (19 Feb - 1 Mar)12
StarCraft 2
General
Nexon's StarCraft game could be FPS, led by UMS maker Terran Scanner Sweep How do you think the 5.0.15 balance patch (Oct 2025) for StarCraft II has affected the game? Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book Weekly Cups (Jan 12-18): herO, MaxPax, Solar win
Tourneys
LiuLi Cup: 2025 Grand Finals (Feb 10-16) RSL Revival: Season 4 Korea Qualifier (Feb 14) PIG STY FESTIVAL 7.0! (19 Feb - 1 Mar) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament RSL Season 4 announced for March-April
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ? [A] Starcraft Sound Mod
External Content
The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 512 Overclocked Mutation # 511 Temple of Rebirth Mutation # 510 Safety Violation
Brood War
General
ACS replaced by "ASL Season Open" - Starts 21/02 Gypsy to Korea Liquipedia.net NEEDS editors for Brood War Recent recommended BW games [ASL21] Potential Map Candidates
Tourneys
Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 1 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues Small VOD Thread 2.0 KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Strategy
Fighting Spirit mining rates Zealot bombing is no longer popular? Simple Questions, Simple Answers Current Meta
Other Games
General Games
Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread Diablo 2 thread Battle Aces/David Kim RTS Megathread ZeroSpace Megathread
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Vanilla Mini Mafia TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
The Games Industry And ATVI US Politics Mega-thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread Ask and answer stupid questions here! Russo-Ukrainian War Thread
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club! The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
ADHD And Gaming Addiction…
TrAiDoS
My 2025 Magic: The Gathering…
DARKING
Life Update and thoughts.
FuDDx
How do archons sleep?
8882
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 3030 users

ACS replaced by "ASL Season Open" - Starts 21/02

Forum Index > BW General
12 CommentsPost a Reply
GTR
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
51541 Posts
February 12 2026 04:27 GMT
#1
Hello.

This is the representative for the ASL writing here.

We sincerely thank everyone who has shown interest and participation in the ACS, which has served as the gateway to the ASL.

Starting in 2026, the ASL will discontinue the existing ACS and introduce a new format, the "ASL Season Open."

The ASL Season Open is open to anyone, regardless of ASL Points, and will be a one-day tournament, with all matches up to the finals taking place within a single day.

We aim to create unexpected surprises and new strategies, including single-elimination matches, and offer a different level of excitement and excitement than the traditional best-of-five format of the ASL.

The two final winners of each round will receive prize money and a spot in the Round of 24 of the next ASL season.

We ask for your continued interest and participation in the new ASL Season Open.

■ Application for Participation

- From Wednesday, February 11th to Wednesday, February 18th, 11:59 PM

- Application Page (GGGL): [Apply]

- Map Download

■ Broadcast Schedule

- Day 1: Live broadcast on Saturday, February 21st at 12:00 PM
- Day 2: Live broadcast on Saturday, February 28th at 12:00 PM


Please note that players participating in the tournament cannot broadcast personally during online matches. However, personal broadcasting will be available after the match concludes.


For a smooth online tournament, please create a Discord account if you do not already have one.

After each round, the winner must save the replay and immediately share it with the team.

If the replay file is not uploaded, the next match may not proceed.

To prevent cheating, players are required to record themselves and their gameplay during the preliminary rounds.

The management team may request the submission of recorded videos at a later date. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

(It is the player's responsibility to prepare a suitable recording environment, including recording equipment and stands.)


Source: https://www.sooplive.co.kr/station/afstar1/post/186524687
Facebook Twitter Reddit
Commentator
GTR
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
51541 Posts
Last Edited: 2026-02-12 04:29:58
February 12 2026 04:28 GMT
#2
Hope Artosis can get the chance to cast these games - given it's an fully open one-day bracket we should have some great matchups given this gives winners a direct seed into the Ro24 proper and enables them to avoid the lottery that is the open qualifiers.
Commentator
jinjin5000
Profile Joined May 2010
United States1476 Posts
February 12 2026 05:03 GMT
#3
It's a negative in way that it will replace potential new faces

but common criticism with those players qualifying through ACS spots were that it often provided "free" win in group stages and the disparity between regulars and ACS qualifiers were way too large to give a good game.

But on other hand we will see even more regular faces over and over
RogerChillingworth
Profile Joined March 2010
Chad3109 Posts
Last Edited: 2026-02-12 06:52:18
February 12 2026 06:30 GMT
#4
Seems like an additional day of ASL quals except way more competitive. Maybe Flash and Queen make it through and don't squash BTS and Stork in the normal qual groups, making it [potentially] slightly better on the latter folks.
If Saber did better last season instead of being turned into a drum set, I wonder if these changes would have been made. I guess the disparity between the amateurs and ro24 is deemed too large still, and being seeded into ro24 without having to face any heavy hitters was favoring of equity over equality.
iFU.pauline
Profile Joined September 2009
France1667 Posts
February 12 2026 07:23 GMT
#5
bo1, ok, time to train overpool opening vs terran.
No coward soul is mine, No trembler in the world's storm-troubled sphere, I see Heaven's glories shine, And Faith shines equal arming me from Fear
Miragee
Profile Joined December 2009
8635 Posts
February 12 2026 10:14 GMT
#6
On February 12 2026 14:03 jinjin5000 wrote:
It's a negative in way that it will replace potential new faces

but common criticism with those players qualifying through ACS spots were that it often provided "free" win in group stages and the disparity between regulars and ACS qualifiers were way too large to give a good game.

But on other hand we will see even more regular faces over and over


While usually true, some of these new faces have performed better than old faces. I think it is vital for the scene to at least give new faces a chance. It's just 1-2 spots. I think that's a fair shake to try and keep the scene alive in the long run.
SCRVN
Profile Joined June 2024
125 Posts
February 12 2026 11:11 GMT
#7
"We aim to create unexpected surprises and new strategies"

Which are exactly unexpected surprises and new strategies? 4 pool, 1 base with Carrier, only 3 barracks timing push?

I don't see anything surprises from the almost 30 years game!

Maybe, there is a protoss after doing 2 gates in center and see 14 CC then he will quit the game without gg because his honor so high.
starcraft remasteredvn | Other StarCraft Tournaments
seRapH
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States9789 Posts
22 hours ago
#8
It's pretty important for up and coming players to have attainable goals, and getting the ACS spot was one of them. This feels a bit damaging long term in favor of short term benefits.
boomer hands
RJBTVYOUTUBE
Profile Joined December 2023
Netherlands1105 Posts
12 hours ago
#9
On February 12 2026 23:31 seRapH wrote:
It's pretty important for up and coming players to have attainable goals, and getting the ACS spot was one of them. This feels a bit damaging long term in favor of short term benefits.


They get two shots now through this format, instead of 1 through the ACS.
JDON MY SOUL!
RogerChillingworth
Profile Joined March 2010
Chad3109 Posts
Last Edited: 2026-02-13 04:50:16
9 hours ago
#10
On February 13 2026 09:10 RJBTVYOUTUBE wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 12 2026 23:31 seRapH wrote:
It's pretty important for up and coming players to have attainable goals, and getting the ACS spot was one of them. This feels a bit damaging long term in favor of short term benefits.


They get two shots now through this format, instead of 1 through the ACS.



Wouldn't make a huge difference if you had 2 more shots against Mike Tyson, my dude. If anything, duck out and keep your face recognizable.

The ASL quals will now be free of 2 of the best unseeded players, but with 1 fewer qualifying slot available: ACS qualified 1 player and now ASL open is qualifying 2 players. Of course, it was easier to reach the finals of ACS than it will be of ASL Open. I'm not a math guy so unsure as to what this actually does to the odds of a yabsab or soO or Ruin making it into ASL. Interesting to note, I believe yabsab was 1 game away from beating effort in the final round of the quals last season. There are many similar stories.

Anyway, it's technically a fairer system in an unfair game where skill gaps are massive. It's what ACS was trying to negotiate but nothing is free so the ro24 fringe players who have been in ASL and couldn't compete in ACS were slightly punished.

HOLYBATS
Profile Joined August 2021
Turkey746 Posts
7 hours ago
#11
Two more qual days
Freezard
Profile Blog Joined April 2007
Sweden1015 Posts
2 hours ago
#12
I suppose that means more high quality games overall which is nice, too bad about the amateur players though.
felleN
Profile Joined December 2011
Australia69 Posts
1 hour ago
#13
Hopefully we get some great games, a little sad this could replace us getting new faces into the tournament
"I am fucking godly at, like, fucking god. AHHHH" -combatEX
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
LiuLi Cup
11:00
Group D
Serral vs Zoun
Cure vs Classic
RotterdaM1178
TKL 313
IndyStarCraft 254
BRAT_OK 158
Rex137
IntoTheiNu 22
Liquipedia
Escore
10:00
Ro32
Action vs JaedongLIVE!
EscoreOfficial0
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RotterdaM 1178
TKL 313
IndyStarCraft 254
BRAT_OK 158
Rex 137
ProTech117
StarCraft: Brood War
Rain 4423
PianO 2278
Hyuk 1108
Jaedong 1035
Killer 789
Snow 333
Zeus 331
actioN 316
Soma 285
firebathero 276
[ Show more ]
Light 227
Leta 187
Soulkey 156
ggaemo 130
Mini 123
Aegong 86
Sea.KH 66
Rush 65
Sharp 63
soO 56
Hm[arnc] 54
ToSsGirL 51
JulyZerg 38
Barracks 33
[sc1f]eonzerg 28
sSak 28
Nal_rA 27
scan(afreeca) 23
zelot 22
GoRush 18
Terrorterran 15
Noble 12
Sacsri 7
Icarus 5
ivOry 5
Britney 0
Dota 2
Gorgc3858
qojqva1190
XcaliburYe212
League of Legends
JimRising 365
Counter-Strike
shoxiejesuss1480
zeus1314
kRYSTAL_76
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King98
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor147
Other Games
gofns14480
singsing1945
B2W.Neo833
crisheroes349
Fuzer 214
Sick119
KnowMe44
Organizations
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 15
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 13 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• escodisco490
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Jankos1441
• Stunt635
Upcoming Events
Big Brain Bouts
4h 6m
ByuN vs GgMaChine
Serral vs Jumy
RSL Revival
14h 6m
RSL Revival
19h 6m
LiuLi Cup
22h 6m
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
23h 6m
RSL Revival
1d 5h
Replay Cast
1d 11h
Sparkling Tuna Cup
1d 21h
LiuLi Cup
1d 22h
Replay Cast
2 days
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
2 days
LiuLi Cup
2 days
Wardi Open
2 days
Monday Night Weeklies
3 days
OSC
3 days
WardiTV Winter Champion…
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
WardiTV Winter Champion…
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
The PondCast
5 days
KCM Race Survival
5 days
WardiTV Winter Champion…
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Epic.LAN
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-02-10
Rongyi Cup S3
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Escore Tournament S1: W8
LiuLi Cup: 2025 Grand Finals
Nations Cup 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
eXTREMESLAND 2025
SL Budapest Major 2025

Upcoming

[S:21] ASL SEASON OPEN 1st Round
[S:21] ASL SEASON OPEN 1st Round Qualifier
[S:21] ASL SEASON OPEN 2nd Round
[S:21] ASL SEASON OPEN 2nd Round Qualifier
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
RSL Revival: Season 4
WardiTV Winter 2026
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
FISSURE Playground #3
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League Season 23
ESL Pro League Season 23
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.