Skip to main content
C3 Esports uses two series formats depending on the phase of the season. Understanding the format before match night ensures there is no confusion about how many games to play or when the series is over.

​
Format by phase

Special events, invitational weeks, or staff announcements may alter the format for a specific match or week. Always check the match page for the format specified for your match.

​
Best-of-3 (BO3)

The first team to win 2 games wins the series. You must play Game 3 if the series is tied. You may not agree with the opposing team to end on a 1-1 tie. A draw result is not a valid series outcome in C3 Esports.

​
Best-of-5 (BO5)

The first team to win 3 games wins the series. You must play Game 5 if the series is tied 2-2. Stopping at 2-2 is not permitted.

​
Game settings

All games in all series use these exact settings:
Any deviation from these settings — including playing on a different arena — invalidates the game. Stop, fix settings, and replay if incorrect settings are discovered before the game ends. Playing with wrong settings and then disputing the result will not be accepted.

​
Overtime rules

If a game is tied at the end of 5 minutes, unlimited golden goal overtime is played. The first team to score wins the game. There is no time limit on overtime — games can extend indefinitely until a goal is scored. Goals scored in overtime count toward player stats but do not count separately from the “game score” perspective — the game ends 1 goal after the tied score (e.g., a 2-2 game that goes to OT ends 3-2 for the scoring team).

​
Series result examples

BO3 example:
  • Game 1: Team A wins 4-2
  • Game 2: Team B wins 3-1
  • Game 3: Team A wins 5-3
  • Result: Team A wins the series 2-1
For result submission, you enter:
  • Game 1: Team A 4 – Team B 2
  • Game 2: Team A 1 – Team B 3
  • Game 3: Team A 5 – Team B 3
BO5 example:
  • Game 1: Team A wins 3-1
  • Game 2: Team A wins 2-1
  • Game 3: Team B wins 4-0
  • Game 4: Team A wins 3-2
  • Result: Team A wins the series 3-1 (Game 5 not played)
For result submission, you enter scores for Games 1–4 only. Do not create a Game 5 entry if it was not played.

​
Tiebreaker games

If a series game goes to overtime and results in a golden goal, this is the normal and intended resolution. It is not a tiebreaker game in the standings sense — “tiebreaker” in C3 Esports refers to how tied standings are resolved, not overtime within a game.