Pro-Bending Circuit Official Rules

Season at a Glance

Seven offline Qualifier Events and one Last Chance Qualifier send eight Players to the Pro-Bending Circuit World Finals at CEO 2027, where all eight share a $101,000 USD prize pool.

This summary is for convenience only. If it differs from the Rules below, the Rules control.

1. Introduction

1.1 The Circuit. The Pro-Bending Circuit (the “Circuit”) is the official worldwide tournament series for Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game (the “Title”). Gameplay Group International Inc. administers the Circuit as the Circuit Administrator. The Title is published by Gameplay Group International Inc., PM Studios, Inc., and Paramount Game Studios (together, the “Publishers”).

1.2 How the Circuit works. The Circuit consists of seven (7) offline Qualifier Events, the Last Chance Qualifier (“LCQ”), and the World Finals. Unless the Circuit Administrator announces otherwise, each Qualifier Event awards one (1) Qualification Slot and the LCQ awards one (1) more, for eight (8) Qualified Players in total. The Qualified Players compete in the World Finals at CEO 2027, scheduled for September 3–5, 2027. Qualification is explained in Sections 6 and 7, and the event schedule is in Section 3.

1.3 Agreement to these Rules. By registering for, entering, or taking part in any Circuit event, each Player agrees to be bound by these Official Rules (the “Rules”) and by the decisions of the Circuit Administrator, which are final and binding as described in Section 1.6. If the Player is a Minor, the Player’s parent or legal guardian must also agree to these Rules on the Player’s behalf, as described in Section 15.

1.4 Order of precedence. Where documents conflict, they apply in this order:

1. applicable law;
2. these Rules, including their Schedules;
3. written rulings and clarifications published by the Circuit Administrator; and
4. the published rules of the Qualifier Event, CEO 2027, or the venue.

Event rules may add to these Rules but may not contradict them, unless the Circuit Administrator approves a written exception for that event.

1.5 Circuit-Wide Rules. Rules that apply at every Circuit event, and that no event organizer may change or waive, are called “Circuit-Wide Rules.” Each rule’s own Section states where it applies, including when a rule applies only at the LCQ and the World Finals or leaves a choice to the event organizer. Schedule A lists each competitive rule with its Section number and states whether it is a Circuit-Wide Rule.

1.6 Interpretation and final decisions. The Circuit Administrator has the sole right to interpret these Rules. Where these Rules are silent or unclear, the Circuit Administrator will decide the matter in its sole discretion, guided by fair competition, player safety, and consistency with past rulings. All decisions of the Circuit Administrator relating to the Circuit are final and binding, subject only to the appeal process in Section 10.7. Players may not agree between themselves to set aside a Circuit-Wide Rule, except where these Rules expressly allow mutual agreement, such as side or stage selection.

1.7 Reserved rights; changes to these Rules. The Circuit Administrator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to revise, update, change, modify, add to, supplement, or delete any part of these Rules at any time and for any reason. Changes take effect when published on the Official Website, with or without prior notice, unless the update states a later effective date, and each update is logged in Schedule C. Each Player agrees to check the Official Website periodically for the current version, and continued participation in the Circuit after a change constitutes acceptance of the updated Rules. Reserved rights that apply to a particular topic are also stated in the Section covering that topic and apply in addition to this Section.

1.8 How to read these Rules. Capitalized terms have the meanings given in Section 2. Each Section is written to be read on its own; where another Section also applies, the Section says so and gives its number. The Schedules at the end are part of these Rules: Schedule A summarizes the competitive rules, Schedule B lists key dates and deadlines, and Schedule C records the version history. If a Schedule differs from the Section it summarizes, the Section controls. Headings are for convenience only, and “including” means “including, without limitation.”

1.9 Language. These Rules are written in English. The Circuit Administrator may publish translations, such as Brazilian Portuguese, for convenience. If a translation differs, the English version controls.

1.10 Time zone. All dates and deadlines use Eastern Time (“ET”). A deadline ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on the stated date unless stated otherwise.

1.11 Notices. The Circuit Administrator sends notices to the email address a Player gives at registration or later provides to the Circuit Administrator. A notice is treated as received twenty-four (24) hours after it is sent. Players must keep their contact details current and check their email, including junk mail folders, throughout the Season.

1.12 Version and effective date. These Rules are version [1.0], effective [date TBD]. Schedule C records each version and its effective date.

2. Definitions

Capitalized terms have the meanings below. “Title” always means the software; a lowercase “game” is one game within a Match.

• “CEO 2027” means the CEO 2027 fighting game event scheduled for September 3–5, 2027, which hosts the LCQ and the World Finals.
• “Circuit” means the Pro-Bending Circuit for the Season, governed by these Rules.
• “Circuit Administrator” means Gameplay Group International Inc., headquartered in Orlando, Florida, with its registered corporate operating address at 7901 4th St N #29778, St. Petersburg, FL 33702, USA, together with its authorized staff and designees.
• “Circuit Parties” means the Circuit Administrator; the Publishers; the owners and organizers of each Qualifier Event, the LCQ, the World Finals, and CEO 2027; venues; sponsors; licensors; production, broadcast, travel, and other service providers; and each of their parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, contractors, agents, successors, and assigns, in each case only to the extent involved in the Circuit.
• “Circuit-Wide Rules” means the rules described in Section 1.5, which apply at every Circuit event.
• “Final Standings” means an event’s official final placements, as reported by its organizer and confirmed by the Circuit Administrator.
• “Finals Lock Date” means August 4, 2027: the last date on which a vacant Qualification Slot normally passes down within its original event (see Section 6.10), and the latest date for Qualified Players to complete their World Finals requirements.
• “game” means one individual game within a Match. A game is won when the Title awards the win to a Player.
• “Head Judge” means the senior Tournament Official at an event.
• “LCQ” or “Last Chance Qualifier” means the open qualifying tournament held at CEO 2027 that awards one (1) or more Qualification Slots, as described in Section 7.
• “Match” means a complete contest between two (2) Players, played to the number of game wins set by these Rules. Players often call this a “set.”
• “Minor” means a Player under the age of majority in the Player’s jurisdiction of residence.
• “Official Website” means [URL TBD], or any other location the Circuit Administrator designates for publishing these Rules, the Season Schedule, the Qualified Player List, and official updates.
• “Pass-Down” means the process in Section 6 by which a Qualification Slot moves to the next eligible Player.
• “Player” means an individual who registers for or takes part in a Qualifier Event, the LCQ, or the World Finals.

• “Prize” means any cash, travel, lodging, badge, merchandise, or other item of value provided by or for the Circuit Administrator in connection with the Circuit. A Qualification Slot is not a Prize.
• “Publishers” means Gameplay Group International Inc., PM Studios, Inc., Paramount Game Studios, and any successor, affiliate, licensor, or rights holder designated for the Title.
• “Qualification Slot” or “Slot” means the conditional right, subject to these Rules, to compete in the World Finals.
• “Qualified Player” means a Player who currently holds a Qualification Slot.
• “Qualified Player List” means the official list of Qualified Players kept by the Circuit Administrator and published on the Official Website.
• “Qualifier Event” means each offline tournament listed as a Qualifier Event in Section 3, as the Circuit Administrator may update that list from time to time.
• “Qualifier Event Organizer” means the organizer responsible for running a Qualifier Event.
• “Restricted Content” means the content categories listed in Section 14.7.
• “round” means one round within a game.
• “Season” means the 2026–2027 Circuit season, from the first Qualifier Event until all World Finals Prizes have been paid or forfeited.
• “Title” means Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, including its updates, patches, and downloadable content.
• “Top 16” means the stage of a bracket that begins when sixteen (16) Players remain in contention, and every Match played from that point on.
• “Tournament Official” means any person authorized by the Circuit Administrator or an event organizer to run Matches or make rulings, including judges, bracket runners, and tournament directors.
• “Travel Benefit” means the flight, hotel, and CEO 2027 badge described in Section 13.4.
• “World Finals” means the eight (8)-Player final competition of the Circuit, held at CEO 2027.

3. Season Schedule

The Circuit Administrator has designated the Qualifier Events below, listed and numbered in date order. The remaining Qualifier Events will be announced on the Official Website and added to this schedule in date order.

3.1 Event details. Each Qualifier Event’s organizer, venue, and registration link will be published on the Official Website. Players register for each event directly with its organizer, as described in Section 5.

3.2 LCQ and World Finals timing. The LCQ and the World Finals take place at CEO 2027 on September 3–5, 2027. Their exact days and start times will be announced on the Official Website before LCQ registration closes.

3.3 Schedule changes. The Circuit Administrator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to add, replace, reschedule, relocate, or remove any Circuit event, including any Qualifier Event, the LCQ, or the World Finals, at any time. Changes take effect when published on the Official Website.

3.4 Cancelled or incomplete Qualifier Events. If a Qualifier Event is cancelled, postponed, or cannot be completed, the Circuit Administrator will decide, in its sole discretion, how the affected Qualification Slot is awarded and will announce its decision on the Official Website. Options include awarding the Slot at a replacement event, adding it to the LCQ as an additional Qualification Slot, using any other method the Circuit Administrator considers fair and reasonable, or leaving it unfilled. The Circuit Parties are not responsible for travel, lodging, registration, or other costs a Player incurs because of a cancellation, postponement, or change (see Section 16.7).

4. Eligibility

4.1 Minimum age. Players must be at least thirteen (13) years old on the first day of the event they enter. If local law, the venue, or the event organizer sets a higher minimum age for an event, including one based on the Title’s age rating in the host country, the higher age applies at that event.

4.2 Minors. A Minor may compete only with the written consent of a parent or legal guardian. Section 15 sets out the additional requirements for Minors, including consent forms and supervision. The Travel Benefit does not cover a parent or guardian (see Section 13.7).

4.3 Worldwide eligibility. Players from any country may compete, subject to applicable law and these Rules. Every Qualifier Event, the LCQ, and the World Finals is held offline, so Players must attend in person.

4.4 Sanctions and legal restrictions. A person may not register, compete, hold a Qualification Slot, or receive a Prize if doing so would violate applicable sanctions, export-control, or other laws. This includes any person named on a U.S. government sanctions list, such as the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, and any person ordinarily resident in a country or region subject to comprehensive U.S. sanctions. The Circuit Administrator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to refuse or restrict any person’s participation, qualification, or Prizes where it determines this is necessary to comply with law, including sanctions, export-control, prize-payment, or platform restrictions.

4.5 Publisher personnel. Employees of Gameplay Group International Inc., PM Studios, Inc., Paramount Game Studios, and any other publisher entity formally designated for the Title are not eligible. A contractor of a Publisher may compete only with that Publisher’s prior written consent. If the contractor’s work relates to the Circuit or to the Title’s competitive balance, the Circuit Administrator’s prior written consent is also required.

4.6 Event staff. Owners, officers, directors, employees, and tournament directors of a Qualifier Event Organizer may not compete in an event they own, manage, administer, or staff. They may enter other Circuit events if otherwise eligible. On-air talent, such as commentators, hosts, and interviewers, does not count as staff under this Section.

4.7 Conflicts of interest. Players must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest when the Circuit Administrator asks, such as a financial interest in an event or a close relationship with a Tournament Official. Section 10.6 covers conflicts for Tournament Officials.

4.8 Identity and eligibility checks. The Circuit Administrator may require any Player, at any time, to provide proof of legal name, age, identity, residence, or other eligibility information, such as a government-issued photo ID. This information is used only to verify eligibility, arrange travel, pay Prizes, and meet legal obligations (see Section 15 for privacy). A Player who refuses a reasonable verification request, or who gives false or misleading eligibility information, may be disqualified and may forfeit any Qualification Slot or Prize.

4.9 Passports, visas, and travel documents. Each Player is solely responsible, at the Player’s own cost, for obtaining any passport, visa, entry authorization, or permit needed to attend a Circuit event or to receive a Prize. The Circuit Administrator makes no representation or warranty that any Player will be granted entry to any country, does not provide invitation letters or visa assistance, and is not responsible for any denial, delay, or cost related to travel documents. A Player who needs an invitation letter should contact the organizer of the relevant event (for the LCQ and the World Finals, CEO 2027), whose own policies apply. Visa interview wait times can be long, so a Qualified Player who needs a visa should apply as soon as the Player qualifies. A Qualified Player who has not provided proof of valid travel documents by the Finals Lock Date (August 4, 2027) loses the Qualification Slot, as described in Sections 6.9 and 6.10.

4.10 Continuing eligibility. A Player must remain eligible from registration until the Player’s event ends. A Qualified Player must remain eligible through the World Finals and until all of the Player’s Prizes are paid.

4.11 Title terms. Players must comply with the Title’s end user license agreement and the terms of the platform on which the Title is played.

4.12 Right to refuse participation. The Circuit Administrator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to refuse, cancel, or revoke any person’s registration, participation, Qualification Slot, or Prize at any time, including for the reasons listed in Section 12.8.

5. Registration and Player Identity

5.1 Registering for events. Players register for each Qualifier Event through the process its organizer sets, and for the LCQ through CEO 2027 (see Section 7.1). Registration deadlines, entry fees, capacity limits, check-in, and badges are set by each organizer unless the Circuit Administrator states otherwise. Entry fees and refunds are governed solely by each organizer’s policies.

5.2 One entry per Player. Each Player may hold only one registration per event. Duplicate entries, impersonation, and transferring or selling an entry to another person are prohibited and may result in disqualification.

5.3 Accurate information. Players must give their legal name and accurate contact details when registering and must keep them current.

5.4 Consistent Player tag. Players must compete under the same primary Player tag at every Circuit event, so that results and qualification status can be tracked accurately. A Player who changes tags must tell the Circuit Administrator before the next Circuit event the Player enters. A Player who hides qualified status, for example by registering under a different tag, forfeits any Slot gained that way and may be sanctioned under Section 12.

5.5 Acceptable tags and public identifiers. Player tags, team tags, sponsor tags, display names, and profile images must not contain Restricted Content (Section 14.7), be deceptive, or impersonate another person or organization. The Circuit Administrator or an organizer may reject, shorten, blur, or require a change to any identifier that breaks this rule. It may also require a Player to compete under a neutral name where needed for broadcast, legal, licensing, sponsor, or family-audience reasons.

5.6 World Finals presentation details. By the Finals Lock Date (August 4, 2027), each Qualified Player must confirm the Player tag, team or sponsor tag, and name pronunciation to be used on the broadcast. Changes after that date may not appear in World Finals graphics. The Circuit Administrator decides, in its sole discretion, which country or region is shown for each Player, generally the Player’s country of residence.

5.7 Check-in. Check-in at Qualifier Events follows each organizer’s procedures. Check-in for the LCQ and the World Finals is covered in Section 7.

6. Qualification

6.1 How Slots are earned. Unless the Circuit Administrator announces otherwise on the Official Website before an event begins, Qualification Slots are awarded as follows:

1. each Qualifier Event awards one (1) Qualification Slot, to the highest-placing Player in that event’s Final Standings who is eligible and not already a Qualified Player; and
2. the LCQ awards one (1) Qualification Slot, plus any additional Slots added under Section 6.10, as described in Section 7.

Sections 6.5 through 6.7 explain what happens when a top finisher is already qualified or is not eligible.

6.2 Slots are provisional. Every Qualification Slot is provisional until the Player accepts it under Section 6.8, passes eligibility verification under Section 4.8, and provides every document the Circuit Administrator requests. The Player must also remain eligible through the end of the World Finals to keep the Slot.

6.3 Qualified Players may keep competing. A Qualified Player may enter later Qualifier Events and keep any local prizes earned there. No Player may hold more than one (1) Slot.

6.4 When qualified status is decided. Whether a Player already holds a Slot is decided at the moment an event’s Final Standings are confirmed. A later change in a Player’s status does not reopen an event already completed, except under Sections 6.9 through 6.11.

6.5 Pass-Down. If the highest-placing Player at a Qualifier Event is already a Qualified Player or is not eligible, the Slot passes to the next-highest-placing Player who is eligible and not already qualified. Pass-Down continues through the Final Standings with no placement limit. Only the Slot, and the Travel Benefit that comes with it, passes down; local prizes follow the Final Standings.

6.6 Tied placements. Double-elimination brackets produce tied placements, such as 5th, 7th, 9th, and 13th. If Pass-Down reaches a tied placement:

1. if exactly one Player at that placement is eligible and not already qualified, that Player receives the Slot;
2. if two or more are, those Players play a tiebreaker for the Slot: single elimination, every Match best-of-five, under Section 8, with bracket positions drawn at random; and
3. if none are, Pass-Down continues to the next placement.

6.7 Running a tiebreaker. A tiebreaker is played at the event venue as soon as practical after the tied placement is decided, and before the event ends. From the start of Top 16, the organizer must identify Players who could be involved in a tiebreaker and ask them to remain at the venue. A Player who is not present for a scheduled tiebreaker forfeits it. If a tiebreaker cannot be played at the event, the Circuit Administrator will decide, in its sole discretion, how the tie is resolved and will announce its decision.

6.8 Qualification notice and acceptance. After an event’s Final Standings are confirmed, the Circuit Administrator sends a qualification notice to the Player who earned the Slot. The Player must accept the Slot and complete the steps in the notice by its deadline, which will allow at least seven (7) days. A Player who does not respond in time is treated as having declined the Slot.

6.9 When a Slot becomes vacant. A Qualification Slot becomes vacant if its holder:

1. declines the Slot, or does not accept it by the deadline in Section 6.8;
2. withdraws, or cannot attend the World Finals;
3. has not, by the Finals Lock Date (August 4, 2027), passed eligibility verification or provided proof of any required travel documents;
4. is found ineligible or is disqualified; or
5. has the Slot revoked under Section 12.8.

6.10 How vacant Slots are filled. If a Slot becomes vacant on or before the Finals Lock Date (August 4, 2027), it will normally pass to the highest-placing Player in the Final Standings of the event where it was earned who is then eligible and not already qualified. If a Slot becomes vacant after the Finals Lock Date, the Circuit Administrator will decide how to fill it. In either case, the Circuit Administrator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to fill a vacant Slot by any of these methods instead:

1. Pass-Down within the event where the Slot was earned;
2. adding the Slot to the LCQ as an additional Qualification Slot (see Section 7.3);
3. offering the Slot to an LCQ alternate (see Section 7.4);
4. any other method the Circuit Administrator considers fair and reasonable; or
5. leaving the Slot unfilled.

The Circuit Administrator will announce each decision on the Official Website.

6.11 Results vacated for a violation. If a Player’s results are vacated for a rule violation, the Circuit Administrator may recalculate the affected event’s Final Standings. Any Slot that Player earned there becomes vacant and is filled as described in Section 6.10.

6.12 Slots are personal. A Slot belongs only to the Player who earns it. It may not be sold, traded, assigned, gifted, or otherwise transferred, and no Player may accept anything of value in exchange for declining a Slot. A Slot moves to another Player only as described in Sections 6.5 through 6.10.

6.13 Qualified Player List. The Circuit Administrator publishes the Qualified Player List on the Official Website, showing each Qualified Player’s tag, qualifying event, and status. Organizers use this list to apply Pass-Down. A Player who is already qualified must say so when a Tournament Official asks.

6.14 Changes to qualification. The Circuit Administrator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to change the number of Qualification Slots, the method of awarding them, the Finals Lock Date, or any other part of this Section at any time. Changes take effect when published on the Official Website.

7. Last Chance Qualifier and World Finals

7.1 LCQ entry. The LCQ is open to any eligible Player who is not a Qualified Player when the LCQ begins. Players register through CEO 2027 and must meet its registration, badge, and fee requirements. LCQ entry does not include a Travel Benefit.

7.2 LCQ format. The LCQ is a double-elimination bracket played under Section 8. Matches from Top 16 onward are best-of-five; earlier Matches are best-of-three or best-of-five, as announced before the LCQ begins. CEO 2027’s published tournament rules govern LCQ registration, check-in, scheduling, lateness, disqualification, and other operational procedures, except where they conflict with these Rules.

7.3 LCQ Slots. The LCQ winner earns one (1) Qualification Slot. If the Circuit Administrator adds Slots to the LCQ under Section 6.10, each additional Slot goes to the next-highest-placing eligible LCQ Player who has not already earned a Slot, following the LCQ Final Standings. Ties are resolved as described in Section 6.6.

7.4 LCQ alternates. The two (2) highest-placing LCQ Players who did not earn a Slot are the first and second alternates. Alternates must remain at CEO 2027 and reachable until World Finals check-in closes. If a Slot is vacated after the LCQ ends, the Circuit Administrator may offer it to the alternates in order. Alternates receive no Travel Benefit.

7.5 World Finals format. The Qualified Players, normally eight (8), compete in a double-elimination bracket, and every Match is best-of-five. Grand Finals includes a bracket reset: if the Player from the losers’ side wins the first Grand Finals Match, a second Match decides the World Champion (see Section 8.14).

7.6 Bracket draw. Bracket positions are assigned by random draw after the LCQ ends. The Circuit Administrator runs the draw in the presence of at least two (2) Tournament Officials and may broadcast it. No Player receives a protected position based on qualifying event, qualification date, region, or LCQ status. Draw results may not be shared before the Circuit Administrator announces them.

7.7 Check-in. Each Qualified Player must check in, in person, at the time and place set by the Circuit Administrator, which will be sent at least fourteen (14) days before CEO 2027. A Player who misses check-in without an excuse approved by the Circuit Administrator forfeits the Slot, and the vacant Slot is filled as described in Section 6.10.

7.8 Punctuality. Players must be at their station and ready to play when their Match is called. Lateness at the LCQ is handled under CEO 2027’s published rules (see Section 7.2). At the World Finals, the Head Judge decides, in the Head Judge’s discretion, whether a late Player forfeits a game or the Match.

7.9 Before the first game. At the LCQ and the World Finals, Players choose sides under Section 8.8. Each Player may then take up to sixty (60) seconds to check controller function and button settings before the first game.

7.10 Withdrawal during the World Finals. A Player who withdraws or is disqualified during the World Finals forfeits all remaining Matches. The Player’s placement is set by the bracket at the point of withdrawal, and Section 13.2 governs any Prize.

7.11 World Finals commitments. Qualified Players must attend a pre-event Player briefing and take part in reasonable World Finals media activities, such as photos, short interviews, and on-stage introductions. The Circuit Administrator will schedule these around each Player’s Matches. Players must also follow CEO 2027’s venue policies.

7.12 World Champion. The winner of the World Finals is the Pro-Bending Circuit World Champion for the Season.

7.13 Changes to the LCQ and World Finals. The Circuit Administrator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to change the format, schedule, number of participants, seeding method, or any other aspect of the LCQ or the World Finals at any time, including in response to vacancies, cancellations, or

circumstances beyond its control (see Section 16.7). Changes take effect when published on the Official Website or announced on site by the Head Judge.

8. Game and Match Rules

This Section applies at every Circuit event, except where a rule says it applies only to the LCQ and the World Finals.

8.1 Title version and patches. All Circuit Matches use the most recent publicly released version of the Title on the event’s platform, including a patch released just before an event. The Circuit Administrator may announce a temporary exception for technical or competitive-integrity reasons. A new patch does not entitle any Player to a delay.

8.2 New characters. A newly released character, including a support character, becomes legal fourteen (14) full calendar days after its official public release on the event’s platform, counted in Eastern Time. Early access, pre-release, or regional early availability does not start the count. A character that is not yet legal on an event’s first day stays banned for that entire event unless the Circuit Administrator announces otherwise. For example, a character released on March 1 is legal at events whose first day is March 16 or later. This waiting period does not apply to stages, cosmetic content, or patches.

8.3 Temporary content bans. The Circuit Administrator may temporarily ban any character, support character, stage, cosmetic, feature, or interaction that is not working as intended or that threatens competitive integrity, player safety, or technical operation. Bans are published on the Official Website or announced by the Head Judge before the affected Matches.

8.4 Platform. Each Qualifier Event Organizer chooses its event’s platform, which must run the current version of the Title, and announces it before registration closes. The Circuit Administrator, with CEO 2027, chooses and announces the platform for the LCQ and the World Finals. Players must make sure their controllers work on the announced platform.

8.5 Game settings. Every game uses a sixty (60)-second round timer and is won by the first Player to win two (2) rounds. All other game settings use the Title’s defaults unless the Circuit Administrator publishes different settings on the Official Website. The number of games in a Match is set by Section 8.7. Players may not change game settings. A Player may change only the Player’s own button configuration, and only before a game begins. If a game is played with incorrect settings or on a stage that is not allowed, a Player must raise it before the second round of that game begins; otherwise the game stands.

8.6 Bracket format. Every Qualifier Event and the LCQ must use double elimination, including any pools.

8.7 Match length. From Top 16 onward, every Match at a Qualifier Event or the LCQ is best-of-five: the first Player to win three (3) games wins. Before Top 16, the organizer may use best-of-three (first to two (2) game wins) or best-of-five and must announce its choice before the affected Matches begin. An organizer may start best-of-five earlier or use it for the whole event. Every World Finals Match is best-of-five.

8.8 Sides. At the LCQ and the World Finals, a Tournament Official may assign each Player a side (Player 1 or Player 2), and the Players may agree to switch. If no side is assigned, the Players may agree on sides. If the Players do not agree, one game of rock-paper-scissors decides, and the winner chooses a side.

Players keep their sides for the whole Match unless both agree to switch between games. Qualifier Events may use their own announced side-selection procedure.

8.9 First game and blind pick. Before the first game, each Player freely selects a main character and a support character. Either Player may request a blind pick before either Player starts selecting. In a blind pick, each Player privately tells a Tournament Official their main character and support character, and both Players then select those choices. Where a station’s setup requires it, the Tournament Official may use a comparable procedure. A Player who selects differently from the declared choices must restart with those choices and may be penalized (see Section 12.2).

8.10 Selection after each game. After each game, selections happen in this order:

1. the winner of the previous game keeps the same main character;
2. the loser keeps or changes main character;
3. the winner then keeps or changes support character; and
4. the loser then keeps or changes support character.

Each step must be completed before the next begins. Either Player may change colors or other cosmetics at any step, subject to Section 8.11.

8.11 Banned cosmetics. Gold character colors, Gold support-character colors, and any equivalent Gold cosmetic variants are banned. The Circuit Administrator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to ban any other color, costume, or cosmetic item, including cosmetics released in the future, where it considers a ban necessary; any such ban will be published on the Official Website. A Player who selects a banned cosmetic must change it before the game begins. If a game is played with a banned cosmetic, the result stands, and the Player must change it before the next game. Intentional or repeated use may be penalized (see Section 12.2).

8.12 Stages. Stages are chosen by Random Stage Select unless both Players agree on a specific legal stage before the game begins. The Circuit Administrator may ban a stage or require a particular stage for competitive, technical, or broadcast reasons.

8.13 Winning a game; draws. A game is won when the Title awards the game to a Player. A drawn round, such as a double K.O., counts as scored by the Title and does not affect the validity of the game, unless the drawn round decides the game. If a drawn round results in one or both Players reaching the number of round wins needed to win the game, or the Title otherwise declares the game a draw, the result of that game is null and void. The game will be replayed with the same characters, support characters, and sides, and does not count toward the Match score.

8.14 Grand Finals bracket reset. In a double-elimination bracket, if the Player from the winners’ side wins the first Grand Finals Match, that Player wins the event. If the Player from the losers’ side wins it, a second Match is played, and its winner wins the event. Before the second Match, Players choose sides and characters as at the start of any Match, and either Player may request a blind pick.

8.15 Pauses and disruptions (LCQ and World Finals). A Player who pauses during active gameplay, or whose controller disconnects or fails, forfeits the current round unless Inevitable Defeat applies. Inevitable Defeat applies when a pause occurs during a move or animation and, after the game is unpaused, the round ends with no further input from either Player; in that case, the round result stands

and no round is forfeited. If a disruption is not caused by either Player, such as an unexpected technical error with the console or the Title, a power loss, an event equipment failure, or interference from another station, the game is replayed with the same characters, support characters, and sides, and Players re-create the round score as the Tournament Official directs. Qualifier Events are encouraged to adopt this rule.

8.16 Coaching. Each Player may name one (1) coach per Match. The coach may not change during the Match but may differ in later Matches. Each Player may be coached once per Match, between games only, for up to thirty (30) seconds, in person at the station unless the event authorizes another method. No coaching is allowed during active gameplay, and Tournament Officials may end coaching that runs over thirty (30) seconds.

8.17 Notes. Players may read their own written notes between games. Notes or messages passed to a Player by another person during a Match, by any means, count as coaching under Section 8.16.

8.18 Raising rule violations. Players must raise a rule violation with a Tournament Official before the next game starts, or immediately if it happens during a game. A game completed without objection stands. A Player who stops a game to claim a violation that did not happen forfeits the current round. Only Tournament Officials and the two Players in the Match may stop a game for a rules issue.

8.19 Reporting results. Both Players must confirm each Match result with a Tournament Official before leaving the station.

8.20 Event operations. Except for Circuit-Wide Rules, each Qualifier Event Organizer sets its own operational rules, including check-in, lateness, failure to appear, disqualification procedures, station procedures, and technical interruptions. These rules must be published before the event and may not conflict with these Rules.

8.21 Changes to game and match rules. The Circuit Administrator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to change, clarify, or add to any rule in this Section at any time, including game settings, legal characters, support characters, stages, cosmetics, Match formats, and selection procedures. Changes take effect when published on the Official Website. Temporary content bans may also be announced on site under Section 8.3.

9. Controllers and Equipment

9.1 Bring your own controller. Circuit events are bring-your-own-controller unless an event states otherwise. Each Player is responsible for bringing a legal controller that works on the event’s platform and functions when the Player is called.

9.2 Prohibited functions. Controllers and other input devices may not:

1. use turbo, rapid-fire, macros, or programmed or timed input sequences;
2. let one physical input trigger more than one non-directional input, except combinations the Title lets Players assign in its own controller settings;
3. let one physical input trigger both a direction and an attack; or
4. use any hardware, firmware, software, adapter, or external device that automates gameplay or gives an unfair input advantage.

9.3 Opposite directions (SOCD). A controller may not send simultaneous opposite cardinal directions (Left + Right, or Up + Down) to the Title. A controller that can physically produce them must use SOCD cleaning or another method that stops them from reaching the Title. Any such method is allowed unless the Circuit Administrator announces a Title-specific restriction. Unmodified first-party gamepads working as their manufacturer designed them are exempt.

9.4 Converters. Brook converters are allowed. Cronus Max Plus, Cronus Zen, Titan One, and any other device that can run scripts or macros are banned. Any other converter needs approval from the event organizer or the Circuit Administrator before use.

9.5 Wired connections. Controllers must be wired unless the event expressly permits a specific wireless controller or connection method. Where permitted, a controller using an approved USB receiver may be treated as wired. Players must make sure their controller is not paired with, or interfering with, another station.

9.6 Inspection. Tournament Officials and the Circuit Administrator may inspect a Player’s controller or input device at any time, including its settings and firmware, and its internal hardware where practical. A Player who refuses a reasonable inspection may not use that device. Using a non-compliant controller or input device results in a game loss, with greater penalties for repeat violations (see Section 12.2).

9.7 Controller problems (LCQ and World Finals). A Player whose controller fails forfeits the round in progress under Section 8.15. The Player may fix or replace the controller before play continues if this can be done in a timely manner, as determined by the Head Judge. If it cannot, the Player must continue with the current controller or forfeit the Match.

9.8 Accessibility accommodations. A Player with a disability or other physical need may request an accommodation, such as a custom input device, a controller layout, seating, or a scheduled break. Requests go to the Circuit Administrator at least fourteen (14) days before the event, or as soon as the need arises. The Circuit Administrator will approve reasonable requests that do not give an unfair competitive advantage, and an approval applies at every Circuit event for the rest of the Season.

9.9 Event equipment. Players may not connect anything to event consoles or computers other than an approved controller, converter, or headset, and may not change console or system settings.

9.10 Changes to controller and equipment rules. The Circuit Administrator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to update, clarify, or add to the controller and equipment rules in this Section at any time, including to address new controllers, firmware, converters, input methods, exploits, accessibility needs, or platform requirements. Updates take effect when published on the Official Website.

10. Officials, Rulings, and Appeals

10.1 Authority. Tournament Officials run Matches and make on-site rulings at their event. The Circuit Administrator has final authority over the Circuit-Wide Rules, eligibility, Qualification Slots, the LCQ, the World Finals, and Circuit-level discipline. Its decisions are made in its sole discretion and are final and binding, subject only to the appeal process in Section 10.7.

10.2 On-site rulings. Players must follow the instructions of Tournament Officials. A Player who disagrees with a ruling may ask the Head Judge to review it before the next game begins. The Head Judge’s decision on game and Match results is final for that event.

10.3 Evidence. Tournament Officials may use stream footage, recordings, bracket data, and witness accounts to make or review a ruling. Players may not delay a Match to look for evidence without an official’s permission.

10.4 Final Standings and corrections. Each Qualifier Event Organizer reports its Final Standings to the Circuit Administrator within forty-eight (48) hours after the event ends, and the Circuit Administrator confirms and publishes them on the Official Website. A Player may ask for an error to be corrected within seventy-two (72) hours after publication. After that, the Final Standings are final, except under Section 6.11.

10.5 Event records. Each Qualifier Event Organizer must keep its bracket records, and recordings of any streamed Matches, for at least ninety (90) days after the event and share them with the Circuit Administrator on request.

10.6 Conflicts of interest for officials. A Tournament Official may not rule on a Match involving a family member, household member, teammate, or anyone with whom the official has a close personal or financial relationship. Another official must take that ruling.

10.7 Circuit-level decisions and appeals. The Circuit Administrator will notify a Player in writing, with reasons, of any decision to revoke a Qualification Slot, forfeit a Prize, or suspend or ban the Player. The Player may appeal by email within seven (7) days after the notice. Someone not involved in the original decision will review the appeal and will usually decide it within fourteen (14) days. The original decision stays in effect during the appeal unless the Circuit Administrator decides otherwise, and the appeal decision is final under these Rules.

10.8 What cannot be appealed. Game results, Match results, and on-site rulings cannot be appealed after the event, unless the Circuit Administrator finds a serious error or rule violation that affected qualification.

11. Code of Conduct and Competitive Integrity

11.1 Standard. Players must show good sportsmanship, honesty, fair play, and respect toward other Players, spectators, staff, organizers, the Circuit Administrator, the Publishers, venues, and the wider community. Section 14 covers apparel and branding, and Section 15 covers safeguarding and privacy.

11.2 Scope. This Code applies at Circuit events and in Circuit-related activity, including in person, on tournament platforms, on broadcasts, on social media, in direct messages, and in online communities. It also applies to conduct away from Circuit events when the Circuit Administrator determines, in its sole discretion, that the conduct materially affects player safety, competitive integrity, the running of the Circuit, or the Circuit’s reputation and family-friendly environment.

11.3 Cheating and tampering. Prohibited conduct includes:

• cheating by any means, including unauthorized software, modifications, patches, automation, or prohibited controller functions;

• damaging, disconnecting, powering off, modifying, or interfering with event equipment, networks, systems, or another Player’s controller;
• knowingly exploiting any part of the Title that is not working as intended, after officials have said it is prohibited; and
• intentionally delaying or disrupting an event, or refusing reasonable instructions from staff.

11.4 Match-fixing and collusion. Players may not:

• agree on or coordinate the result of any game or Match;
• intentionally lose or underperform, including to influence which Player receives a Qualification Slot through Pass-Down;
• manipulate brackets, seeding, or pools;
• agree to split prize money or share the value of a Slot, or offer or accept anything of value to affect competition; or
• offer, request, or accept a bribe or any other improper advantage.

11.5 Identity and honesty. Impersonation, competing under another person’s registration, identity fraud, duplicate entry, and giving false tournament or eligibility information are prohibited.

11.6 Harassment, threats, and discrimination. Prohibited conduct includes:

• harassment, bullying, intimidation, stalking, threats of violence, violence, or attempts to provoke violence;
• hate speech or discriminatory harassment based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other characteristic protected by law;
• unwanted sexual attention, sexual harassment, unwanted physical contact, sexual images in public event spaces, or harassing photography or recording; and
• persistent disruptive behavior or abusive language that interferes with another person’s ability to take part safely.

11.7 Privacy and confidential information. Players may not publish another person’s private information without consent, threaten to disclose private information, or disclose personal information obtained through the Circuit. Players also may not share non-public Circuit information, such as unannounced schedules, bracket draw results, or other Players’ travel details, before the Circuit Administrator announces it.

11.8 Alcohol and drugs. Players may not compete while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or any other substance. Possessing, distributing, or using illegal or controlled substances in violation of law or venue policy is prohibited. Players may use lawfully prescribed medication as directed.

11.9 Weapons. Players may not bring firearms or other weapons to any Circuit event.

11.10 Unlawful and harmful conduct. Players may not:

• violate any applicable law;
• engage in violent, abusive, fraudulent, or otherwise seriously harmful conduct, whether or not connected with the Circuit; or

• engage in conduct that, in the Circuit Administrator’s sole judgment, reflects or may reflect unfavorably on the Circuit, the Title, the Publishers, or their licensors, partners, or sponsors, or is inconsistent with the Title’s family audience.

11.11 Reporting concerns. Anyone may report a concern to a Tournament Official or to the Circuit Administrator at [conduct email TBD], and reports may be made in confidence. Retaliation against anyone who reports in good faith violates this Code.

11.12 Determining violations. The Circuit Administrator determines, in its sole discretion, whether a Player has violated this Code, based on any information it considers reliable, including reports, recordings, and witness statements. The conduct listed in this Section is illustrative only; the Circuit Administrator may treat any other conduct it considers unsportsmanlike, inappropriate, or harmful to the Circuit as a violation. Penalties are set out in Section 12.

12. Penalties and Discipline

12.1 Two levels of penalty. Organizers may impose event-level penalties under their event rules, such as warnings, game losses, Match losses, disqualification, or removal from the venue. Only the Circuit Administrator may impose Circuit-level penalties: revoking a Qualification Slot, forfeiting a Prize, or suspending or banning a Player from future Circuit events.

12.2 Deciding a penalty. The Circuit Administrator decides, in its sole discretion, whether a violation has occurred and what Circuit-level penalty applies. It may consider the severity of the conduct, intent, harm caused, prior violations, cooperation, the strength of the evidence, and any event-level ruling, and penalties generally escalate for repeat violations. The table below sets baseline penalties for the LCQ and the World Finals. Qualifier Events are encouraged to follow it, and officials may depart from it when circumstances justify.

12.3 Investigations. The Circuit Administrator may investigate possible violations using tournament records, bracket data, video, screenshots, witness statements, public reports, and other reasonably reliable information. Players must cooperate and answer truthfully. Refusing to cooperate or giving false information is a separate violation.

12.4 Provisional suspension. Where an allegation involves safety, a threat of harm, or a serious integrity breach, the Circuit Administrator may provisionally suspend a Player while it investigates. It will act promptly and tell the Player the reason.

12.5 Recovery of Prizes. A Player who obtained a Prize or Slot through a violation must return the Prize, or its value, on request. Results may also be vacated under Section 6.11.

12.6 Publication. The Circuit Administrator may publicly announce disciplinary decisions, including the Player’s name and sanction, but not sensitive personal details.

12.7 Other remedies. Deliberate attempts to damage an event, its systems, or its operation may also violate criminal and civil law. The Circuit Parties may pursue all legal remedies and cooperate with law enforcement.

12.8 Reserved right to refuse or revoke. The Circuit Administrator reserves the right, in its sole discretion and at any time, to refuse or cancel any Player’s registration or participation, disqualify any Player, revoke any Qualification Slot, and withhold or recover any Prize if it determines that the Player:

1. has violated these Rules, including the Code of Conduct;
2. has been charged with, convicted of, or pleaded guilty or no contest to any crime, other than a minor traffic offense, in any jurisdiction;
3. is required to register as a sex offender in any jurisdiction; or
4. has engaged in conduct described in Section 11.10, whether before or during the Season.

The Circuit Administrator may rely on court records, public reports, witness statements, or any other information it considers reliable, and need not wait for any criminal or civil proceeding to conclude. A revoked Slot becomes vacant and is filled as described in Section 6.10.

13. Prizes, Travel, and Payment

13.1 World Finals prize pool. The World Finals prize pool is $101,000 USD, and all eight (8) World Finalists are paid.

Placement Players Prize per Player (USD) Total (USD)

1st 1 $50,000 $50,000

2nd 1 $13,000 $13,000

3rd 1 $8,500 $8,500

4th 1 $7,300 $7,300

5th (tied) 2 $6,100 $12,200

7th (tied) 2 $5,000 $10,000

Total 8 – $101,000

13.2 Earning a World Finals Prize. To receive a World Finals Prize, a Player must check in and compete in every Match the Player is scheduled to play. A Player who does not appear, refuses to compete, or abandons the World Finals without the Circuit Administrator’s approval forfeits the Slot and any World Finals Prize. A Player who withdraws because of a documented medical emergency, or another circumstance the Circuit Administrator approves, receives the Prize for the placement reached.

13.3 Qualifier Event prizes. A Qualifier Event Organizer may award its own cash, merchandise, or other prizes under its own rules. Those prizes are provided solely by the organizer, are separate from any Qualification Slot or Travel Benefit, and are not the responsibility of any other Circuit Party.

13.4 Travel Benefit. Each Player who earns a Qualification Slot at a Qualifier Event receives:

1. round-trip economy airfare between a major airport near the Player’s residence, chosen by the Circuit Administrator, and the CEO 2027 host area;
2. a hotel room for the dates the Circuit Administrator sets; and
3. the CEO 2027 badge or credential needed to compete in the World Finals.

The Circuit Administrator books all travel and decides the itinerary, travel dates, departure airport, hotel, and length of stay. If the Player lives within reasonable driving distance, the Circuit Administrator may provide ground transportation or reimburse reasonable mileage instead of airfare.

13.5 What the Travel Benefit does not cover. Unless the Circuit Administrator agrees in writing, the Travel Benefit does not include meals, baggage fees, ground transportation, visa or passport costs, travel insurance, hotel incidentals, room damage, or other personal expenses. Hotels may require a minimum check-in age or a payment card for incidentals; the Circuit Administrator will make reasonable arrangements for Players below a hotel’s age limit, but Players remain responsible for incidental charges. Travel not booked or approved by the Circuit Administrator will not be reimbursed, and changes a Player requests after booking are at the Player’s own cost.

13.6 LCQ winners, alternates, and replacements. Players who earn a Slot at the LCQ, including through an additional LCQ Slot or as an LCQ alternate, receive no Travel Benefit because they are already at CEO 2027. A Player who receives a vacant Slot through Pass-Down within a Qualifier Event receives the Travel Benefit, subject to booking availability and the timing of the decision. For a Slot filled by any other

method under Section 6.10, the Circuit Administrator will decide, in its sole discretion, whether any Travel Benefit is provided.

13.7 Companions and guardians. The Travel Benefit covers only the Qualified Player. It does not cover travel, lodging, or badges for a parent, legal guardian, or anyone else, including an adult who must accompany a Minor. If a Minor must be accompanied and no parent or legal guardian can attend, the Player is treated as unable to attend the World Finals under Section 6.9.

13.8 Prize documents. Before any Prize is paid or provided, the recipient may need to submit identity and eligibility verification, tax forms, payment details, a general release, a travel release, and, for a Minor, parent or guardian consent. Unless Section 6 sets an earlier deadline, these are due within thirty (30) days after the Circuit Administrator or its payment agent requests them. A Prize is forfeited if its documents are not submitted by the deadline.

13.9 Payment. Cash Prizes are paid in U.S. dollars by a method the Circuit Administrator chooses, such as bank transfer or an established payment platform, within sixty (60) days after all required documents are received. The Circuit Administrator may, in its sole discretion, pay cash Prizes directly or through the organizer of CEO 2027 or another payment agent it designates; in that case, the payer’s documentation and payment procedures also apply. A Minor’s cash Prize is paid to the Minor’s parent or legal guardian, or as applicable law requires. If a payment fails because of information the recipient provided and cannot be completed within one hundred eighty (180) days after the World Finals, the Prize is forfeited.

13.10 Taxes. Recipients are solely responsible for all taxes and reporting obligations on their Prizes, including any taxable value of the Travel Benefit. The Circuit Administrator or its payment agent may withhold taxes as required by law, including U.S. withholding on payments to non-U.S. persons, and may issue tax reporting forms.

13.11 Fees. Recipients are responsible for receiving-bank fees, intermediary bank fees, currency conversion charges, and payment-platform fees charged to them.

13.12 Legal limits. Prizes are provided only where lawful. The Circuit Administrator may withhold, reduce, or change the form of a Prize where sanctions, local prize or contest laws, banking restrictions, or other legal requirements apply.

13.13 Forfeiture and reallocation. A Prize may be forfeited if the recipient is ineligible, is disqualified, violates these Rules, fails to provide required information, cannot lawfully receive it, or declines it. If a World Finalist’s results are vacated, the Circuit Administrator may recalculate the World Finals standings and pay Prizes accordingly, or may retain the forfeited Prize.

13.14 No substitution. Prizes are personal and may not be transferred, substituted, or exchanged for cash by the recipient. If a non-cash Prize or travel component becomes unavailable, the Circuit Administrator may substitute a reasonably comparable benefit. No cash equivalent is owed for any unused travel component.

13.15 Changes to Prizes. The Circuit Administrator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to change the prize pool, the prize distribution, the Travel Benefit, or payment procedures at any time before the World Finals begins. Changes take effect when published on the Official Website.

14. Media, Publicity, and Sponsorship

14.1 Title and brand rights. All rights in the Title, the Avatar franchise, and related characters, artwork, trademarks, and logos belong to their owners and licensors. Taking part in the Circuit gives a Player no ownership of, or license to, that intellectual property beyond the limited right to compete.

14.2 Likeness license. Each Player grants the Circuit Administrator, the Publishers, and their affiliates, licensees, event organizers, production partners, broadcasters, and designees a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free, sublicensable license to record and use the Player’s name, Player tag, team or sponsor tag as displayed, image, likeness, voice, statements, interviews, results, gameplay, and appearance captured in connection with the Circuit. This license covers operating, broadcasting, streaming, recording, archiving, reporting on, advertising, and promoting the Circuit, the Title, and related events, in any media now known or later developed, without further payment except where the law requires it.

14.3 Broadcasts and recordings. Circuit events may be streamed, photographed, recorded, clipped, and rebroadcast. To the extent the law allows, Players have no ownership interest in, and may not block the use of, broadcasts or recordings of their participation for the purposes in Section 14.2. All gameplay footage of the Title is owned by the Publishers, regardless of who records or produces it. The Circuit Administrator and the Publishers have the right to use all broadcasts, recordings, photographs, and other media of every Circuit event, including footage of Qualifier Events produced by their organizers, at their discretion and without payment or accounting to any Player. To the extent the law allows, each Player waives any moral rights in those materials.

14.4 Existing restrictions. A Player bound by a management, sponsorship, or other agreement that limits the use of the Player’s likeness must tell the Circuit Administrator in writing before the Player’s first Circuit event. If a Player does not, the Circuit Parties may treat the Player’s likeness as unrestricted.

14.5 Player content and co-streaming. Players may share their own photos and short clips from Circuit events for personal, non-commercial use, subject to event policies. Players may not restream, rebroadcast, or record the official broadcast except through a co-streaming program the Circuit Administrator authorizes, and may not stream or record in restricted areas without permission.

14.6 Player-supplied materials. Entrance music, logos, graphics, and other materials a Player provides must not infringe anyone’s rights and must comply with Section 14.7. The Circuit Administrator may decline, edit, mute, or replace them, including for music-licensing reasons.

14.7 Restricted Content. Player tags, apparel, accessories, signs, equipment graphics, sponsor displays, and other visible content at Circuit events may not include or promote:

• sexually explicit material, pornography, or adult sexual services;
• hate speech, harassment, obscenity, or unlawful discrimination;
• tobacco, nicotine, or vaping products;
• alcohol or drugs of any kind, whether or not legal where the event is held;
• firearms or other weapons;
• gambling or betting services;
• extremist or hateful organizations; or
• anything else inappropriate for the family audience of the Title.

14.8 Political content. Partisan political campaign materials, candidate or party branding, political fundraising, and political advocacy slogans may not appear in a Player’s tag, apparel, equipment, or sponsor presentation at Circuit events. This rule applies regardless of viewpoint and does not restrict Players’ private political beliefs or lawful activity outside the Circuit.

14.9 Player sponsors. Players may display their own sponsors on apparel and equipment, subject to Sections 14.7 and 14.8 and to venue and broadcast rules. With reasonable advance notice, the Circuit Administrator may limit on-stage sponsor displays that conflict with an exclusive category held by a Circuit or event partner.

14.10 Enforcement. Tournament Officials may require a Player to cover, remove, or replace any item that breaks this Section before the Player continues to compete. No compensation is owed for lost sponsor exposure.

15. Safeguarding and Privacy

15.1 Guardian consent. A Minor needs written consent from a parent or legal guardian, on the Circuit Administrator’s form, before accepting a Qualification Slot, receiving a Prize, competing in the World Finals, or having personal information processed where the law requires consent. Events may also require guardian consent at registration. Any release, license, or other agreement in these Rules binds a Minor only to the extent valid guardian consent is given.

15.2 Supervision. Events, venues, and local law may require Minors to be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or authorized adult. The Circuit Administrator reserves the right to require a Minor who qualifies for the World Finals to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian throughout CEO 2027. A guardian’s travel is not part of the Travel Benefit (Section 13.7).

15.3 Health and welfare. A Player who feels unwell or is injured should tell a Tournament Official immediately. The Head Judge may allow a short medical break, and the Circuit Administrator may reschedule Matches for health or safety reasons. In an emergency, Players should contact venue staff or emergency services first.

15.4 Personal information. The Circuit Administrator and its service providers collect and use the personal information needed to run the Circuit. This includes legal name, Player tag, contact details, date of birth, country and address, identification and eligibility information, results, payment and tax information, travel details, and media captured at events. It is used to register Players, verify eligibility, administer Slots, arrange travel, pay Prizes, protect competitive integrity, enforce these Rules, communicate with Players, and meet legal and tax obligations.

15.5 Sharing. Personal information may be shared as reasonably needed with the Publishers, event organizers, CEO 2027, registration and bracket platforms, payment processors, travel providers, hotels, venues, production and broadcast vendors, professional advisers, government authorities, and other service providers that support the Circuit.

15.6 International processing. Because the Circuit is worldwide, personal information may be processed in the United States and in other countries whose data-protection laws may differ from those of a Player’s home country. By participating in the Circuit, each Player consents to the collection, transfer, storage, and processing of the Player’s personal information in the United States and those other

countries for the purposes described in Section 15.4. Players may have rights under the data-protection laws of their home country and may exercise them through the contact in Section 16.12.

15.7 Retention. Identity documents are kept only as long as needed for eligibility, travel, tax, and legal purposes.

15.8 Privacy policy. Gameplay Group International Inc. processes personal information under its privacy policy at https://thegameplaygroup.com/privacy-policy, as updated from time to time. Information given directly to an event organizer, CEO 2027, or a registration platform may also be governed by that party’s privacy policy.

15.9 Public results. Players’ names, Player tags, placements, and qualification status may be published on the Official Website and official Circuit channels.

16. Legal Terms

16.1 Relationship of the parties. Taking part in the Circuit does not make any Player an employee, agent, partner, or representative of any Circuit Party.

16.2 Assumption of risk; no insurance. In-person events involve ordinary risks, including those of travel, crowds, public venues, physical movement, personal property, electronic equipment, and communicable illness. To the fullest extent the law allows, each Player voluntarily accepts the ordinary and reasonably foreseeable risks of attending and taking part in the Circuit. The Circuit Parties do not obtain or provide insurance of any kind for Players, Prizes, or travel, and each Player is responsible for any health, travel, accident, property, or other insurance the Player wants.

16.3 Release. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH PLAYER, AND THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF A PLAYER WHO IS A MINOR, RELEASES AND HOLDS HARMLESS THE CIRCUIT PARTIES FROM ALL CLAIMS, LIABILITIES, LOSSES, DAMAGES, COSTS, AND EXPENSES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE PLAYER’S PARTICIPATION IN THE CIRCUIT, TRAVEL OR LODGING ARRANGED FOR THE CIRCUIT, ATTENDANCE AT ANY EVENT VENUE, ACCEPTANCE OR USE OF ANY PRIZE, OR AUTHORIZED USE OF THE PLAYER’S LIKENESS UNDER SECTION 14, INCLUDING CLAIMS BASED ON THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF ANY CIRCUIT PARTY, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT A CLAIM CANNOT LAWFULLY BE RELEASED.

16.4 Technical limits; disclaimer of warranties. To the fullest extent the law allows, the Circuit Parties are not responsible for losses caused by inaccurate registration information, communication failures, bracket-platform errors, network or server outages, hardware or software failures, unexpected technical errors with the Title, controller incompatibility, power failures, delayed or cancelled transportation, venue disruption, or acts or omissions of third-party service providers outside the Circuit Party’s reasonable control. The Circuit Administrator or an event organizer may replay, restart, resume, void, or otherwise correct a game or Match when a technical or administrative error materially affects fair competition. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE TITLE, EVENT EQUIPMENT, CIRCUIT WEBSITES, AND ALL PRIZES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE,” AND THE CIRCUIT PARTIES DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE, REGARDING THE TITLE, EVENT EQUIPMENT, CIRCUIT WEBSITES, THE OPERATION OF THE CIRCUIT, AND ANY PRIZE, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

16.5 Limitation of damages and fees. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, NO CIRCUIT PARTY WILL BE LIABLE TO ANY PLAYER FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THE CIRCUIT, EVEN IF ADVISED THAT SUCH DAMAGES WERE POSSIBLE. ANY RECOVERY BY A PLAYER AGAINST ANY CIRCUIT PARTY IS LIMITED TO THE PLAYER’S ACTUAL OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS OF ENTERING AND ATTENDING THE RELEVANT CIRCUIT EVENT, PLUS THE AMOUNT OF ANY CASH PRIZE THE PLAYER HAS EARNED UNDER THESE RULES AND NOT RECEIVED. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 16.6, EACH PLAYER AND EACH CIRCUIT PARTY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO RECOVER ATTORNEYS’ FEES FROM THE OTHER IN ANY DISPUTE ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THE CIRCUIT. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS OF LIABILITY, SO SOME OR ALL OF THIS SECTION MAY NOT APPLY TO A PARTICULAR PLAYER.

16.6 Indemnification. To the fullest extent the law allows, each Player will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Circuit Parties from and against all third-party claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and reasonable attorneys’ fees to the extent they arise from the Player’s intentional misconduct, material breach of these Rules, unlawful acts, damage the Player causes to persons or property, or infringement of third-party intellectual property or publicity rights.

16.7 Force majeure. If circumstances outside the reasonable control of the Circuit Administrator or an event organizer materially affect the safety, integrity, feasibility, or proper operation of the Circuit or any event, the Circuit Administrator may cancel, suspend, postpone, relocate, shorten, reschedule, modify, replace, or end the affected event or part of the Circuit. Such circumstances include severe weather, natural disasters, fire, flood, war, terrorism or its threat, civil unrest, epidemics, government action, labor disputes, venue closures, transportation disruption, utility or internet failures, platform or server outages, a material technical issue with the Title, and the Title becoming unavailable for competitive use. No Circuit Party will be liable for, or be considered in breach of these Rules because of, any failure or delay in performing an obligation caused by such circumstances. The Circuit Administrator may reallocate affected Slots under Section 3.4 and adjust the LCQ or the World Finals as reasonably necessary to complete them fairly. Except where the law requires or a written agreement provides otherwise, the Circuit Parties are not responsible for travel, lodging, registration, visa, or other costs that Players incur independently. Refunds of event entry fees follow each organizer’s policy.

16.8 Dispute resolution. Disputes between a Player and the Circuit Administrator arising out of or relating to these Rules, the Circuit, a Qualification Slot, or a Prize are handled in this order:

1. Informal resolution. The parties first try in good faith to resolve the dispute informally for up to ninety (90) days after written notice of it, unless both agree to a different period.
2. Mediation. If the dispute remains unresolved, either party may require non-binding mediation before a neutral mediator, in Florida, remotely, or at another agreed location. Each party pays its own attorneys’ fees and costs, and the parties share the mediator’s fees equally unless the law requires otherwise or they agree otherwise in writing.
3. Court. If mediation does not resolve the dispute, either party may bring its claims in court under Section 16.9.

Nothing in this Section prevents either party from seeking temporary or emergency court relief to protect intellectual property, confidential information, or personal safety, or to prevent immediate irreparable harm.

16.9 Governing law and venue. Except where mandatory law requires otherwise, these Rules and any dispute arising from them are governed by the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any court proceeding permitted under Section 16.8 will be brought in a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction located in Florida, unless applicable law requires another forum or the parties agree otherwise in writing.

16.10 Qualifier Event Organizers. Each Qualifier Event Organizer runs its event independently. It is responsible for complying with the local laws that apply to its event, including contest, prize, tax, venue, safety, and disclosure laws, and for its own entry fees, prizes, staffing, equipment, and event-level disputes. Questions about an event’s operations should go to its organizer.

16.11 General terms.

• Severability. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable in a jurisdiction, it applies there to the maximum extent permitted, and the rest of these Rules stays in effect.
• No waiver. A failure to enforce a provision on one occasion does not waive the right to enforce it later.
• Errors. The Circuit Administrator may correct any typographical, printing, computer programming, or operator error in these Rules or in any Circuit materials, and is not bound by any such error.
• Interpretation. Headings are for convenience only, and “including” means “including, without limitation.”
• Entire agreement. These Rules, with the documents they reference, are the entire agreement between each Player and the Circuit Administrator about the Circuit.
• Assignment. The Circuit Administrator may assign its rights and duties under these Rules; Players may not.
• Survival. Provisions that by their nature should outlast the Season, including Sections 12.5, 13.10, 14, and 16, survive it.

16.12 Contact. Written legal notices to the Circuit Administrator go to the address below, with a copy by email to the rules contact.

• Circuit Administrator: Gameplay Group International Inc., headquartered in Orlando, Florida; registered corporate operating address 7901 4th St N #29778, St. Petersburg, FL 33702, USA
• Official Website: avatarfighters.com/probendingcircuit
• Rules and qualification questions: probendingcircuit@thegameplaygroup.com
• Conduct and integrity reports: probendingcircuit@thegameplaygroup.com
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