War Thunder WTCS Major III will begin with Open Qualifiers on August 22-23 and 29-30, 2026. The playoffs are scheduled for September 5-6 and 12-13. Four teams will advance after each qualifier, giving players and spectators four weekends to follow. the latest video game news
Key points
- The two Open Qualifiers for the WTCS Pro League Major III will take place on August 22-23 and 29-30, 2026.
- The playoffs are scheduled for September 5-6 and 12-13, 2026.
- Four teams qualify for the playoffs after each Open Qualifier.
- The official Steam feed places Major III after the Challenger League Major II.
Two qualifiers will decide the Major III playoff field
The official Steam news feed presents the WTCS Pro League Major III as the continuation of the Challenger League Major II. The competition follows that progression with two Open Qualifiers leading into the playoffs.
Each Open Qualifier will send four teams to the next stage. If both sessions reach that announced quota, the playoff bracket could include up to eight qualifying teams. No prize or prize pool has been announced, and the detailed rules have yet to be specified.
The official announcement title invites teams to register, but the registration platform and exact participation requirements remain unconfirmed. Interested teams will need those details before organizing their application, availability and roster.
Open Qualifiers are set for consecutive August weekends
Open Qualifier I will take place on August 22 and 23, 2026, opening the Major III qualification sequence.
Open Qualifier II is scheduled for August 29 and 30, 2026. The consecutive-weekend format leaves a tight window for teams entering both sessions or adjusting their roster between events.
The playoffs will follow on September 5-6 and 12-13, 2026. The times and format details have not yet been specified.
Open access still leaves little preparation time
Compared with a closed league, this open system gives teams a route into the competition without waiting for a permanent invitation. They will still have to prove themselves quickly in the qualifier. The comparison is structural, since the exact operation of Major II and previous editions is not detailed, but the schedule is clear: access is easy to identify while teams still under construction have little time to prepare.
For players, the dates separate the Open Qualifiers from the playoffs and make the competition easier to follow. Teams will need confirmation of the rules, registration platform and times before treating their participation as organized. The public has a confirmed schedule, but there is no basis yet for announcing a prize pool or promising a particular level of spectacle.
The playoffs will unfold across two September weekends
The final stage will begin on September 5 and 6, then resume on September 12 and 13. It will therefore be spread across two weekends after the late-August qualifiers.
The announced quota is the main sporting reference available at this stage: four teams per Open Qualifier will join the playoffs. The two sessions could therefore bring up to eight Open Qualifier qualifiers, although no other criteria for composing the bracket have been specified.
Qualifying does not mean that the final stage begins immediately. The Open Qualifiers belong to the August schedule, while the playoffs take place in September.
Registration and rules remain unconfirmed
The first reliable reference remains the schedule published in the official War Thunder Steam feed. It confirms the two Open Qualifiers, the playoff dates and the quota of four teams per session. The second reference associated with this news is the official announcement for the WTCS Pro League Major III.
Several practical details are still missing: the registration platform, times, rules, prize pool and eligibility requirements. It would therefore be premature to announce that registration is open or to describe a specific procedure.
Spectators can already prepare to follow the event through our esports section. Teams will have to wait for official details before finalizing their participation. The news section will provide the next updates related to the schedule.
War Thunder WTCS is launching Major III with two qualification stages in late August, followed by playoffs in September. The dates and quota are set; registration and the rules are the main details still to be confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
When are the two WTCS Pro League Major III Open Qualifiers taking place?
The first is scheduled for August 22 and 23, 2026. The second will take place on August 29 and 30, 2026.
How many teams advance after each Open Qualifier?
Four teams qualify for the playoffs at the end of each Open Qualifier.
When will the playoffs take place?
The playoffs are scheduled for September 5-6 and 12-13, 2026.
Where can the official schedule be found?
The schedule appears in the official Steam feed and the announcement dedicated to Major III.
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Verified sources
These links can be used to verify the key information used in this article.
- steamcommunity.com: official Steam announcement titled “The WTCS Pro League Major III is Here : Register Now For The Qualification Stage!”, published on 2026-08-12.
- store.steampowered.com: official War Thunder Steam feed, whose publication date is not indicated; it confirms the two Open Qualifiers on August 22-23 and 29-30, the playoffs on September 5-6 and 12-13, and the qualification of four teams after each Open Qualifier.
- shared.akamai.steamstatic.com: official image asset from the Steam CDN associated with War Thunder; the provided URL is used as a high-resolution cover, with no additional editorial fact inferred from the image.
