The word "tier" means a "level" or "rank." In esports, it is used to divide teams, tournaments, and organizations by strength and significance. Tier 1 is the very top level, followed by tier 2, tier 3, and so on. This is not an official classification: there is no single body that grants such a status. The division arose on its own, in conversations among players, commentators, and journalists, which is why the boundaries may differ slightly from person to person.
What is usually called tier 1
The term is applied to three different things.
- Teams. These are squads from the world's elite that consistently reach the biggest competitions and fight for top places. A player or roster is called "tier 1" when they play at the level of the strongest.
- Tournaments. These are competitions with the largest prize pools, the strongest lists of participants, and the widest audiences. World championships and the biggest international events, where the best gather, are traditionally placed in this tier.
- Organizations. This label is used for clubs with a long history, major sponsors, a staff of analysts, coaches, and managers, and good conditions for players.
How tier 1 differs from the rest
The main distinguishing feature is competition. At a tier 1 tournament, every opponent is strong, and weak matches are almost nonexistent. Further down, in tier 2, the level is noticeably uneven: there are both teams on the verge of breaking through to the top and rosters that are far from the elite (these competitions are covered in more detail in the article "Tier 2 tournament").
Another difference is stability and professional infrastructure. Top-tier teams usually have a coach, an analyst, substitute players, and a well-established preparation routine, while tournaments at this level are run with serious organization and broadcast to a large audience.
How the word sounds in speech
Players and viewers use it in many different combinations: "tier 1 team," "that's already tier 1 level," "reach tier 1," "fall out of tier 1." The last two phrases show an important feature: a tier is not fixed forever. A roster that shows strong results can move up, while a team that loses form or key players can drop down.
A typical situation: a young roster keeps winning lower-tier tournaments for a long time, then receives an invitation to a major competition and beats the recognized favorites. After that, people start talking about it as a tier 1 contender. This is how the division stays alive: it reflects not a title but the current state of affairs on the scene.
It is important to remember that the boundary is blurry. One person will call a team tier 1 based on the last season's results, another based on the organization's reputation. So when you come across the word in a text or a broadcast, look at the context: what exactly is being discussed, the players, the tournament, or the club as a whole.