Ubisoft officially launched Element 5, a new iteration of the North American Tier 2 competitive environment for Rainbow Six Siege. This development comes after a notable change in the esports ecosystem with the introduction of the Siege X initiative. Taking place during the summer of 2025, Element 5 introduces new formats, revised eligibility criteria, and an extensive schedule created to improve the competitive experience for up-and-coming teams.
To streamline the competitive process and ensure fair play, Ubisoft has updated the eligibility requirements for Element 5 participants:
- Residency: All players must reside within North America.
- Age: Participants must be at least 18 years old.
- Disciplinary Record: Players must have a clean record with no outstanding bans.
- Team Affiliation: Active players on Tier 1 North American League (NAL) rosters are ineligible to participate.
These measures aim to foster a competitive environment that prioritizes integrity and provides opportunities for up-and-coming talent.
Open Qualifiers
Element 5 kicks off with two open qualifiers, maintaining the double-elimination format familiar to the community:
- Qualifier 1: June 20–22, 2025
- Qualifier 2: June 27–29, 2025
Each qualifier will accommodate up to 128 teams, with the top performers advancing to the next stage. This structure ensures a broad entry point for aspiring competitors.
Swiss Stage
The second phase introduces a Buchholz-style Swiss bracket, featuring eight teams from the qualifiers and eight invited teams:
- Match Format:
- Promotion and elimination matches: Best-of-three (Bo3)
- All other matches: Best-of-one (Bo1)
- Advancement: Only the top eight teams will progress to the playoffs.
Scheduled dates for the Swiss Stage are July 1, 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15, 2025. This phase is designed to rigorously assess team consistency and adaptability.
Responding to community feedback regarding previous events, Ubisoft has committed to increasing official broadcast coverage for the Swiss Stage:
We have heard your feedback regarding the lack of official broadcasts for Phase 2. We’re happy to announce that we’re bringing back full coverage for Phase 2 with our premier talent to cover games that matter the most to you.
This initiative aims to provide fans with comprehensive access to pivotal matches and enhance the overall viewing experience.
Playoffs
The playoffs represent the final and most intense phase of Element 5:
- Dates: July 14–27, July 31, and August 1–3, 2025
- Format: Double-elimination bracket
- Match Format:
- Lower final and grand final: Best-of-five (Bo5)
- Prize Pool: $15,000
This stage will determine the top teams in the Tier 2 scene, offering significant rewards and recognition.