Xbox, Gears of War Esports, and The Coalition are proud to announce Season 2 of the Gears Pro Circuit for Gears of War 4. Gears players from around the world can compete in marquee live open events for a starting $1,000,000 in cash prizes. With the addition of new regional events and grassroots tournaments, plus crowdfunding through Esports Supporter Packs, the total prize pool for Season 2 is expected to reach $2,000,000.
Players in North America, Latin America, and Europe can earn “Gears Pro Points” by competing in regional MLG GameBattles.com online ladders and in weekly tournaments. Players can also earn Gears Pro Points through grassroots and community-run approved tournaments and Microsoft Store LAN events. Gears Pro Points qualify teams for seeding and travel coverage to the international open LAN events taking place every 2 months between December 2017 and December 2018.
This season’s exciting Gears Pro Circuit features both major and minor open LAN events in the following locations, open to all players around the world:
| Date | Location | Partner | Prize Pool (USD) |
| Winter 2017 | USA | MLG | $250,000 minimum |
| January 26-28 | Mexico City, Mexico | Gamelta | $150,000 minimum |
| Spring 2018 | North America | TBD | $150,000 minimum |
| Spring/Summer 2018 | North America | MLG | $250,000 minimum |
| Summer/Fall 2018 | Mexico | Gamelta | $150,000 minimum |
| Summer/Fall 2018 | North America | TBD | $150,000 minimum |
| Fall/Winter 2018 | North America | MLG | $250,000 minimum |
*All locations and dates subject to change.
With the postponement of the Mexico City event to January (from the original date of October), the Gears Esports team is proud to present an additional series of sanctioned events in the Fall for Gears Pro Points and cash prizes.
| Gears Esports Fall Regionals – 24 Team 5000 Series Pro Point Events | |||
| Date | Location | Partner | Prize Pool (USD) |
| November 11-12 | New York, NY, USA | Microsoft Store | $20,000 |
| November 11-12 | Corona, CA, USA | CMG | $20,000 |
| November 11-12 | London, UK | EGL | $20,000 |
| November 11-12 | Mexico City, MX | Gamelta | $20,000 |
In addition, we are proud to announce several new community tournaments with some in new cities and regions:
| Date | Location | Partner | Starting Prize Pool (USD) |
| October 20-22 | Madrid, Spain | Xbox Spain Fan Fest | $5,000 |
| November 25-26 | Sydney, Australia | ESL | $10,000 AUD + Winning Team Travel to MLG Fall/Winter 2017 Major |
| Spring 2018 | Birmingham, UK | Insomnia Festival | $10,000 minimum |
| TBD | Brazil | Gamelta | TBD |
| TBD | Italy | Xbox Italy | TBD |
| TBD | France | Xbox France | TBD |
*All locations and dates subject to change.
More community and regional tournaments will be announced and funded through to December 2018.
We are also excited to announce significant funding increases for travel coverage for this season’s Gears Pro Circuit based on Gears Pro Points rankings. Latin America events will see a big increase to the Top 8 North American teams, Top 8 Latin American teams, and Top 3 European teams all receiving travel coverage. North American Minor events cover the Top 8 North American teams, Top 3 Latin American teams, and Top 3 European teams. MLG Major events will cover the Top 8 North American teams, Top 4 Latin American teams and Top 4 European teams.
Season 2 will also see the return of Gears Esports Supporter Packs that help provide prize pool crowdfunding to events and support the expansion of the regional community events. Gears Esports will continue to collaborate with popular esports team organizations to bring their brands into cosmetic digital in-game content that fans can wear and equip. This season also sees the addition of a Preferred Partner program for major esports organizations. Organizations can qualify for financial incentives based on audience size, participation, and regional representation. Organizations can also work with the Gears Esports team to raise the visibility of their brands in additional content planned for Season 2 such as our new reality series, event content and profile features, in-game promotions and on social media.
Weekly Gears Fight Nights broadcasts will return live from the MLG Studios in New York, featuring weekly Pro Circuit online tournament finals with teams from around the world. These weekly broadcasts will continue to feature both pro and amateur teams and special prizes for viewers.
Season 2 of the Gears Pro Circuit has already officially kicked off in September with Gears Pro Points activity via MLG online tournaments and ladders. For more information on how to participate in Season 2, check out this information page here.
For more detailed information on the Gears Pro Circuit and Gears Esports, please visit www.gears.gg. You can also follow us on Twitter @EsportsGears and @GearsofWar and on Facebook at /GearsofWar.
We’re proud to present the largest ever Gears of War Esports program and can’t wait to see all the pro and amateur teams from around the world compete in Season 2!