The unsuccessful performance of American teams at the IEM Rio Major will have negative consequences for the region: at the next major, the number of teams that can qualify for the tournament through Americas RMR will be reduced from six to five.
This is the result of rule changes that were announced by Valve on the eve of PGL Major Antwerp. At that time, tournament guidelines were published stating that seat allocation at each subsequent major depended on how successful the region was at the previous one. With only two teams from the Americas region (FURIA from South America and Liquid from North America) able to qualify for the Legends stage at IEM Rio, the number of spots at the majors for which teams will compete in the Americas RMR will be reduced.
Previously, at all majors since the start of the pandemic, except IEM Rio, teams from the Americas have managed to get three spots in the Legends stage. Three seats were added, which the region received on a general basis. The upcoming BLAST.tv Paris Major will see the total number of slots reduced to five for the first time. Sixth place will go to a European team, and as a result, there will be 17 teams from that region at the Major.
In addition, whether Liquid or FURIA make the playoffs will determine whether American teams can start the next tournament right from the Legends stage.