Official Battlefield REDSEC esports debut launched with “Elite Series” and “Open Series” circuits
Following initial successful limited tournaments, EA has already confirmed Battlefield’s REDSEC esports debut.
Three regions will participate in two tiers of competition – the Elite Series and Open Series – with over $1 million USD (~£765,000 GBP) in prize money on the line.
What do we know so far about the new REDSEC esports Elite and Open Series?
EA have confirmed the format, schedule, and sign-up information ahead of the esports launch.
The new REDSEC esports circuit’s “Elite Series” and “Open Series” already cater to a classic two-tiered ecosystem.
Both of the series are divided across three regions: The Americas, EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa), and APAC (Asia-Pacific).
In the Americas, there is a $50,000 USD (~£38,300 GBP) prize pool on each of the three initial match days, and an additional $500,000 USD (~£382,800 GBP) to be divided among squads participating in the Finals Gauntlet.
Meanwhile, the EMEA and APAC regions have a $20,000 USD (~£15,300 GBP) prize pool for the initial match days, with $285,000 USD (~£218,200 GBP) for the Finals Gauntlets.
The formats of the Elite Series and Open Series are as follows:
The Elite Series
The REDSEC esports Elite Series has the same FPS community focus as the first Battlefield 6 REDSEC tournament, which was announced a mere week after the game launch.
Fifty team captains have been selected from each region. These captains must handpick their four-person squads for the series. Through this selection process, EA are ensuring high-profile FPS pros are involved from the start.
Each week, teams compete in a series of six REDSEC Battle Royale matches, followed by the top eight squads fighting head-to-head in Gauntlet. Squads earn Elite Series Points during each of the three initial match days.
The top 25 squads by Elite Series Points qualify for the Regional Season Final.
Notably, the Gauntlet game mode is altered slightly for the Elite Series.
Gauntlet’s new “competitive version” has specific map and mode combinations. The round timer is also extended.
Furthermore, EA has clarified that they will continue to modify this format based on community feedback.
The Open Series
The Open Series serves as a gateway to the Elite Series. Players can sign up and create their squad on Repeat.gg, with an Open Series section in the Repeat.gg app available later in December.
Scoring for the Open Series is based on the cumulative ten best Battle Royale matches and ten best Gauntlet matches played across three separate match days.
As with the Elite Series, the Open Series will have its own Season Finals. These Finals are set to take place in January 2026 and will see the top 250 squads from each participating region compete.
Following this, the top eight teams from the Open Series Finals advance to the next season’s Elite Series, providing a clear path to higher-tier competition.
If successful, previously undiscovered talent could quickly rise to join FPS icons.
Open Series and Elite Series Schedules
The Elite Series Season 1 schedule is as follows:
- Match Day 1: Wednesday, December 10th, 2025
- Match Day 2: Thursday, December 11th, 2025
- Match Day 3: Tuesday, December 16th, 2025
- Season Finals: Thursday, December 18th, 2025
Meanwhile, the Open Series schedule is spread over two months:
- Match Day 1: Friday, December 12th, 2025
- Match Day 2: Friday, December 19th, 2025
- Match Day 3: Friday, January 9th, 2026
- Season Finals: Saturday, January 17th, 2026
All matches, including the Season Finals, will be held online. Therefore, every Elite Series match day will be streamed by its competitors. Alongside the competitor streams, Battlefield Studios will host a broadcast for each regional Season Final.
What are EA’s potential plans for REDSEC esports? Comparisons to early Apex Legends
EA’s launch of REDSEC esports follows a familiar pattern – one similar to their launch of Apex Legends esports circuits in 2019.
Apex Legends also leaned on the existing FPS community to gain momentum for a professional scene in the first year post-launch.
This was a relatively successful strategy for EA, and the ALGS (Apex Legends Global Series) that eventually emerged from the early tournament structure continues to run successfully.
It also resulted in plenty of new signings to esports organisations, which appears to already be on the cards for REDSEC and Battlefield after the esports structure was revealed.
Likely, EA is banking on the same progression working for REDSEC esports.
EA has also already confirmed that REDSEC esports will be cross-platform and cross-input. This also echoes the format of competitive Apex Legends, where input-superiority debates are woven into the esports ecosystem’s culture.
Clearly, EA is making the first steps towards establishing a new ecosystem within the esports space. If the Elite and Open Series offer the right mix of competition and entertainment, it could be on the cards.
Whether REDSEC esports becomes a permanent fixture, however, only time will tell.
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