Valve has cracked down on VRS region switching, implementing a new rule that prevents late swapping in order to obtain a major invite slot from another region at the end of a season.
The rule, added into Valve's Counter-Strike Major Supplemental Rulebook on Oct. 7, was implemented following several European-based squads acquiring Asia and Oceania players to force themselves into the Asia VRS rankings.
"A roster is only eligible for a Regional Assignment if they did not appear in any other region's VRS list in the preceding three calendar months," the new rule reads.
Valve has also applied this rule retroactively, confirming to HLTV the rule is in effect for the PGL Singapore Major, and that it applies three months prior to major invites issued and not the major start date itself. Valve added teams affected would be disqualified from the Singapore Major list unless they "reach out and find a solution."
The likes of BC.Game Esports and Sashi, who controversially switched this past month following the acquisition of several Australian players, would now be disqualified from the major.
This means no Singapore Major for our three OCE reps who were picked up over the last few weeks. Tyson "asap" Paterson joined the BC.Game squad three weeks ago, while Sashi added Tynan "TjP" Purtell and Jordan "Hatz" Bajic last Monday.
The moves were seen as highly controversial — especially Sashi's, which many in the community panned as a deliberate circumnavigation of the rulebook to rob an Asian team of a spot at a major. Sashi, for their part, did little to mask this through messaging on social media.
It is now believed Sashi's roster change, which also included a citizenship switch via Vietnamese player Anton "Anlelele" Huynh (originally listed as Danish), was "the straw that broke the camel's back," according to MOUZ and BIG co-founder Tom Lemke after he reportedly spoke with Valve.
BC.Game and Sashi, alongside fellow late region-switchers WW, will now no longer be eligible for a spot at the Singapore Major — barring an application to Valve for an exemption.
Huge rankings change sees OCE squads back in the hunt
With the three European orgs now out of contention, several Asia reps are now a chance to qualify for the Singapore Major again.
BCG's removal is of particular note. Prior to Valve's region switch rule change, BCG had taken the number one spot in the Asia rankings. Now, that top spot — which guarantees a team through to Stage 2 of the major — is up for grabs again.
It also opens up opportunities again for the teams at the cut-off. According to VRS guru Finn "Mischief" Farrer, FlyQuest and 5star now have a far increased chance of qualification, while Lynn Vision, Chinggis Warriors, NEXVOID, and even the gutted THUNDER dOWNUNDER roster can now mathematically make it to Singapore.
The VRS Update heard across the world.
— Finn (@MischiefCS2) October 6, 2026
Super quick 🌏Asia predictions update, the race is now wide open.
The current wording will prevent BC Game from qualifying to the major. After everything theyve been through, 🇦🇺 TDU still have a chance at the major. pic.twitter.com/qtGsNIY74h
More weight is back on the remaining LANs in the region, including three back-to-back-to-back events from DFRAG in Brisbane.
The first of the LANs begins this Saturday, Oct. 10, with ANZC Locals Spring. Stay tuned to DFRAG for the latest as we prepare for the final push to the Singapore Major.
