By: Poorit “Sports in 1” Lertpaitoonpan
VALORANT Esports has begun its 2026 season, and the kickoff series has a special ruleset that is uncommon in both sports and the esports world.
That is, it is in a triple elimination format.
Campaigning as “three strikes and you’re out”, rather than a tried-and-tested double elimination format, each teams will exit the tournament when they accumulate three losses instead of two. This gives teams more chances to keep their chance alive.
But why a triple elimination format in this scenario? Perhaps it’s because how kickoffs in VALORANT tends to be formatted. See, the format in kickoffs usually forego the group stages, choosing to immediately draw teams into a tournament to determine the contenders for the first international Masters.
With this, some teams may get tough luck of facing two tough teams in a row, if the bracket does not do them a favor, something that triple elimination bracket alleviate.
There are not many tournaments utilizing the three strikes treatment, though there is one sports that do.
It’s curling.
Known as “triple knockouts” teams have to achieve 3 victories before suffering 3 defeats in order to proceed to the next step. This ensures that a team will at least play 3 matches.
And that is another benefit of triple elimination in this scenario, it’s simulates how group stages work.
However, there are concerns of overloading players with games, as they have to play more than they usually have to in double elimination.
Though, this format allow for more of a “cinderella run”, because you may have your back against the wall with two losses, but going on a huge winstreak to claim gold.
Alas, it will depend on how these tournaments playout to determine whether or not this format continues.
References
https://valorantesports.com/en-SG/season/115571062868511862/handbook
https://curlingontario.ca/competitions/mens-womens-championship/
https://www.sportsnet.ca/curling/eight-ends-triple-knockout-rise-gsoc/
https://esportsinsider.com/2026/01/2026-vct-kickoff-triple-elimination-format-a-hit-or-a-miss
Sports in 1 
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