Introducing the 2020 NA Apprentice Circuit, a full year of events that will all lead up to the NA Apprentice Championship in November. Here's a quick overview of the circuit:

Anyone eligible for WCS NA can play
There will be 4 NA Apprentice seasons throughout the year, each with a base $200 prize pool. NA Contender seasons will run concurrently with a base $50 prize pool.
Players will earn Apprentice points (basically WCS points) based on their placement at events.
Supplemental online cups will offer additional money and Apprentice points.
The top 16 players will qualify for the NA Apprentice Championship at the end of the year.
The first season kicks off on January 6, 2020 (qualifiers on Jan 2-4)

For more information on the 2020 Circuit, be sure to check out the official announcement on our brand new website: https://www.apprenticena.com/news/na-apprentice-2020-circuit

Be sure to follow us on the following platforms to stay up to date:
Discord: https://discord.gg/JakSZZv
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ApprenticeNA
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ApprenticeNA

Upcoming Events:
• Dec 27 @ 7 PM EST: Preseason
Top 4 are invited to Group Stage 2 of the NA Apprentice Season 1
https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Preseason

• Jan 2 @ 7 PM EST: Qualifier 1
Top 8 qualify, but top 4 are seeded directly into Group Stage 2
https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Season1Qual1

• Jan 3 @ 7 PM EST: Qualifier 2
Top 8 qualify
https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Season1Qual2

• Jan 4 @ 7 PM EST: Qualifier 3
Top 8 qualify
https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Season1Qual3

• Jan 4: Last day to register for the NA Contender Season 1
https://forms.gle/5E3j52aQBhfdpCQ96

• Jan 6: NA Apprentice & Contender Season 1 begins

• Jan 10 @ 7 PM EST: Cup 1
https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Cup1

• Jan 24 @ 7 PM EST: Cup 2
https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Cup2

~~All updates regarding NA Apprentice events in 2020 will be posted in this TL thread, so be sure to check back frequently!~~

DoctorFoxer

United States191 Posts

December 21 2019 04:40 GMT

The NA Apprentice/Contender are GSL-style tournaments for North American players. Like previous seasons, players will be given a time period (usually a week) to play their games for each stage of the tournament.

The NA Apprentice:

Eligibility: Only players eligible for WCS NA may participate.

Schedule:

Preseason: Dec 27 @ 7 PM EST
https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Preseason
Qualifier 1: Jan 2 @ 7 PM EST
https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Season1Qual1
Qualifier 2: Jan 3 @ 7 PM EST
https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Season1Qual2
Qualifier 3: Jan 4 @ 7 PM EST
https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Season1Qual3
Season begins: Jan 6

Liquipedia: https://liquipedia.net/starcraft2/2020_NA_Apprentice_Season_1
Matcherino: https://matcherino.com/tournaments/22953/overview

Use the coupon code 2020Apprentice1 to contribute $0.5 to the prize pool for free!

The NA Contender:

Eligibility: Only players who meet the following requirements may participate.

Must be eligible for WCS NA.
Never exceeded 5250 MMR in the last 4 months.
Played at least 30 1v1 ladder games during the current season on main or primary ladder account before registration.

Schedule:

Registration deadline: Jan 4
Season begins: Jan 6

Register here: https://forms.gle/Dzh2KKiV7Prh8F7N8
Liquipedia: https://liquipedia.net/starcraft2/2020_NA_Contender_Season_1
Matcherino: https://matcherino.com/tournaments/22954/overview

Use the coupon code 2020Contender1 to contribute $0.5 to the prize pool for free!

feardragon

United States973 Posts

December 21 2019 20:47 GMT

Absolute legend. Love how this has grown.

CynicalDeath

Italy3657 Posts

December 21 2019 23:01 GMT

this seems like a really nicely planned circuit! gratz and thanks guys!

DoctorFoxer

United States191 Posts

December 27 2019 23:07 GMT

Check in for the NA Apprentice Preseason has begun. Be sure to check in by 7 PM EST so you can play!

Remember, the top 4 finishers win their portion of the $100 prize pool and a direct seed into Group Stage 2 of the NA Apprentice Season 1. This event is only open to players eligible for WCS NA!

https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Preseason

DoctorFoxer

United States191 Posts

December 28 2019 16:06 GMT

Congratulations to Silky on winning the 2020 NA Apprentice Preseason. He has won $50 and 50 Apprentice points for his efforts, putting him at the top of the 2020 Circuit rankings.

The top 4 finishers of the Preseason (Silky, DisK, Future, and Raze) have secured themselves the first 4 spots in Season 1 and will receive a direct seed into Group Stage 2.

Liquipedia: (Wiki)

2020 NA Apprentice Season 1 Preseason
VOD: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/527197573
Website: https://www.apprenticena.com/

There are still 24 open spots in Season 1, so don't miss the qualifiers next week if you'd like to play!

Qualifier 1: Thursday, Jan 2 @ 7 PM EST
https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Season1Qual1

Qualifier 2: Friday, Jan 3 @ 7 PM EST
https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Season1Qual2

Qualifier 3: Saturday, Jan 4 @ 7 PM EST
https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Season1Qual3

DoctorFoxer

United States191 Posts

January 03 2020 15:22 GMT

After the conclusion of Qualifier #1, we have our first 8 qualified players for the NA Apprentice Season 1!

If you missed your chance to qualify, there's still another qualifier taking place tonight at 7 PM EST.

https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Season1Qual2

DoctorFoxer

United States191 Posts

January 04 2020 02:25 GMT

Congratulations to the next 8 players who have qualified for the NA Apprentice Season 1!

The final qualifier is taking place tomorrow at 7 PM EST with only 8 more spots remaining. Be sure to sign up if you want to participate in the upcoming season!

https://na-apprentice.challonge.com/2020Season1Qual3

DoctorFoxer

United States191 Posts

January 05 2020 01:20 GMT

Congrats to the final 8 players qualified for the NA Apprentice Season 1!

The Group Stage 1 matchups will be announced sometime tomorrow or on Monday, so stay tuned for that!

DoctorFoxer

United States191 Posts

January 05 2020 22:40 GMT

#10

Here are the group stage matchups for the following events:

NA Apprentice
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NA Contender
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What do you think is the group of death?

DoctorFoxer

United States191 Posts

January 13 2020 22:32 GMT

#11

Here are the matchups for the NA Apprentice Group Stage 2! Only 3 players in each group will advance to the playoffs, with the 1st place finisher of each group getting directly seeded into the Ro8. Who do you think will make it out?

DoctorFoxer

United States191 Posts

January 30 2020 21:24 GMT

#12

Apologies for the late update, but we are finally ready to make our next announcement!

Creighton Olsen (aka the GSL Bald Guy) will be covering the rest of the NA Apprentice season, starting with the Ro12!

The matches will be streamed on Monday, Feb 3rd @ 1 PM EST.

https://www.twitch.tv/creightonolsen

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