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Germany3367 Posts
While we're all excited for IEM Katowice, coming afterwards is another very special tournament: the Gold Series Team Championship will return in March with some changes compared to the two editions last year. Here's everything I could gather so far in terms of information. (Subject to change as we learn more official information.)
First of all, teams do not have to field one Chinese player per match anymore. This change was made to try to get some teams from all over the globe to sign on and does change the balance of power in the league around a bit. A higher overall prize pool also contributed to getting some more teams into the league. Speaking of more teams, right now there are projected to be twelve competing teams in the upcoming season, so we'll have five new additions with a total of four more teams than last year. Apparently, interest from teams was quite high this time, which is great to hear.
You will note the list below is currently counting 13 teams, I could not confirm until now which one of these has dropped out, so treat this with some caution (I think it might be one of the original teams). No matter what team is out, though, we're in for some fiery team league action.
Update (20.2.2021):  Cascade apparently fell out, according to this post, which appears to confirm the list of twelve teams below to participate next season.
Update (2.3.2021): The twelve teams below are here confirmed by digmouse to participate next season. I've also heard that the league will run under the title "World Team League" (WTL) and not as GTC anymore.
REMAINING
KaiZi Gaming
Alpha X
Dragon Phoenix Gaming
Good Game Gaming
Invictus Gaming
Team LP
Team GP
NEW
Team Liquid
Team eXoN
Team NV
Afreeca Freecs
Shopify Rebellion
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The new entries are looking absolutly hot.
Already looking forward to it
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I'm hyped about a GPL with new teams, but I've got mixed feelings about the one Chinese per match rule drop.
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Very good news, awesome to see the league growing, although tbh I liked the Chinese player requirement. Developing the Chinese scene is important to.
Opening up more while it's an online tournament does make sense. But maybe they'll reinstate the requirement post corona.
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On February 20 2021 06:19 ssg wrote:
Who is exon?
this seems to be the correct lp Team eXoN
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Germany3367 Posts
On February 20 2021 06:29 GoloSC2 wrote:this seems to be the correct lp Team eXoN
Edited this one in, my bad!
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Freecs better hope they can wrap up the season before the military calls off half their roster
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Someone needs to get PartinG in quick!
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Honestly not too surprised at removing the 1 Chinese player per team requirement, even though it would've been nice to keep it. I feel like interest in SC2 is waning in China and elsewhere making it difficult to foster homegrown new comers. It's better to take this opportunity to "globify" the GPL as a spiritual successor to proleague-style tournaments and take the mantle of THE Premier Team League in SC2 currently with the backing of wealthy Chinese fans of starcraft essentially.
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United States33554 Posts
I'm surprised that they'd remove the Chinese-region player requirement, but I'm definitely on board with it as a one-season experiment at the very least.
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Scboy says Shopify Rebellion will be in. I think Cascade will be out.
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China6330 Posts
Will be working to confirm teams and details.
On February 20 2021 05:31 Serimek wrote:
I'm hyped about a GPL with new teams, but I've got mixed feelings about the one Chinese per match rule drop.
This is unfortunately what we are standing now with the situation of local talent.
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Germany3367 Posts
Update (20.2.2021): Cascade apparently fell out, according to this post from what is an official SCBoy account, I believe, which appears to confirm the list of twelve teams in the original post to participate next season.
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So hype to see this many team in the league !!
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On February 20 2021 13:27 digmouse wrote:
Will be working to confirm teams and details.
This is unfortunately what we are standing now with the situation of local talent.
I hope other prospects will be able to step up in the longer run. Dropping the rule makes sense ftm but this can't last
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Afreeca, TL, and Shopify hnnnnnngggggggg
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Glad to see GTC going global. It makes a lot of sense while matches are offline.
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China6330 Posts
On February 20 2021 18:04 TheOneAboveU wrote:Update (20.2.2021): Cascade apparently fell out, according to this post from what is an official SCBoy account, I believe, which appears to confirm the list of twelve teams in the original post to participate next season.
Still in contact with them so probably not entirely set in stone.
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wow this look sick! 
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They dropped the one chinese player requirement probably because the lack of players in China. Unfortunately many retired or switched to other games in 2019-20, at least 6 just off the top of my head.
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China6330 Posts
Announcement should be soon. No team changes from OP.
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EPT
