Rules

Timeline

The selection process consists of three phases: a four-day application period, a four-day nomination period, and four voting rounds, the first of which begins on the day the merchandise shop opens. All deadlines are 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Each voting round begins immediately after the preceding round closes.

Applications

Only eligible players and approved creators who apply before the deadline may be nominated. Approximately 450 players are eligible.

Eligibility

A player is eligible if they appear in the current RoA2 ranking, either in the top 50 or as an honorable mention, or if they have recorded at least one qualifying finish at a 2026 Rivals of Aether II singles event on start.gg. A finish qualifies when it falls within the cutoff for the event's size:

Results from January 1, 2026 through October 3, 2026 are counted, and the eligible list is final. Placements are based on each event's final standings, and tied players are treated equally; for example, both players who finish 7th at a 60-player event fall within the top 8. Events played entirely in pools or round robins, in which several players share first place, and brackets that were never completed are not counted. Players who receive a direct invitation are not part of the voting pool.

Creators

Content creators and community personalities are also eligible if they have at least 1,500 followers or subscribers on Twitch or YouTube and a demonstrated connection to Rivals of Aether II. A demonstrated connection includes creating content about the game, featuring it on their platform, competing in or attending Rivals events, or taking part in Rivals broadcasts, collaborations or community projects. Each creator application is reviewed by an organizer.

Applying

Applicants must sign in with their start.gg account on the application page and confirm that they are able to attend on the event dates if selected. Creators must also provide their channel and a description of their connection to Rivals. The application period lasts four days, and late applications are not accepted. Applicants are listed on the event page once their application is accepted.

Nominations

The 16 applicants with the most verified nominations at the close of the four-day nomination period become finalists.

Nominating

Nomination rules

Each start.gg account may nominate one player for the duration of the nomination period. A verified nomination cannot be transferred to another player. The post must remain public until nominations close; deleting it removes the nomination. Players may nominate themselves.

Nomination counts are displayed live throughout the nomination period. If two or more players are tied for 16th place, the player who reached that count first receives the spot. Finalists are announced the day after nominations close.

Voting

The four community spots are decided across four voting rounds over 12 days. Round 1 runs for six days, beginning when the merchandise shop opens, and Rounds 2 to 4 run for two days each. When each round closes, the finalist with the most votes qualifies for the event and the three with the fewest votes are eliminated.

Casting votes

Votes may be obtained in two ways: purchased directly at a fixed price per vote, or received with the purchase of official event merchandise, each item of which carries a set number of votes. Votes received with merchandise are assigned to the finalist selected at checkout and count toward the round that is open when the order is placed.

There is no limit on the number of votes a person may cast, and votes may be cast for any finalist who remains in contention. Vote totals reset at the start of each round and are displayed live throughout. The result of each round is announced when it closes, and the next round begins immediately.

Travel and expenses

The Fusion Invitational is a grassroots, self-funded event, so every player who takes part, whether invited directly or voted in by the community, should expect to cover some or all of their own travel and accommodation. Our directly invited players have already agreed to this.

We know that's a real commitment, and we don't take it lightly. Part of the money raised during selection, from vote purchases and from merchandise and compendium sales, goes toward prizing and running the event, and we'll put what we can toward helping selected players with travel. We try to operate as transparently as possible, so any travel support we arrange will be shared with every selected player as soon as it's confirmed.

If cost is a concern, reach out to us before applying. We're always happy to talk through options.

Allocation of funds

A share of every vote purchase and every merchandise and compendium sale is allocated to event, staffing and processing costs, prizing, and support for selected players.

Purchases and refunds

All vote purchases are final and are not refundable, including votes cast for a finalist who later withdraws. Votes resulting from a payment that is charged back or found to be fraudulent, or from a merchandise order that is cancelled or refunded, are removed from the totals.

General rules

The organizers may remove any nomination, vote or player found in breach of these rules. All decisions made by the organizers are final.

Withdrawals and replacements

If a finalist withdraws before voting begins, the applicant with the next-highest nomination count takes their place. If a finalist withdraws during voting, they are removed and the round continues with one fewer finalist; no replacement is made. If a player withdraws after qualifying, their spot is awarded to the runner-up from the round in which they qualified. If a directly invited player declines, a replacement is chosen at the organizers' discretion rather than through the vote.

Fair play

Each person may use only one start.gg account. Nominations from duplicate, fake or purchased accounts are void, as are nominations or votes generated by automated means or through coordinated inauthentic activity. Any player found to be involved in fraud may be removed from the selection process.

Questions and disputes

Questions and disputes must be raised with the organizers before the close of the phase to which they relate. Published results become final once the following phase begins.