ESL's flagship tournament circuit is growing hugely. In its third season, Extreme Masters will consist of nine events: three in North America, three in Asia and three in Europe (which includes the World Final).

The Extreme Masters structure is as follows:

North America:
Global Challenge 1: $50,000 CS 1.6, $30,000 WoW
Global Challenge 2: $50,000 CS 1.6, $30,000 WoW
Continental Finals: $50,000 CS 1.6, $30,000 WoW

Asia:
Global Challenge: $50,000 CS 1.6
Continental Finals: $50,000 CS 1.6, $10,000 WC3 or SC2
Continental Finals: $30,000 WoW, $10,000 WC3 or SC2

Europe:
Global Challenge: $30,000 WoW
Continental Finals: $50,000 CS 1.6, $30,000 WoW

World Finals (at CeBIT 09 in Hannover):
$125,000 CS 1.6, $30,000 WoW

Online prizes $50,000 for CS 1.6 and WoW, detailed distribution to be announced.

The first Global Challenge of the season will take place at Games Convention 08 in Leipzig in late August and will only have a World of Warcraft tournament. This information has not been officially confirmed by the ESL, but an Extreme Masters Global event was announced for GC and a Counter-Strike tournament would conflict with the ESL European Nations Championship finals.

Asia will have two continental finals because China and Korea will be treated as separate regions. Both Asian events will have a side RTS tournament, most likely Warcraft 3, but the ESL has not announced the game title yet so the possibility of using StarCraft 2 is being considered.

Qualification for the World Finals can be earned through the continental EM championship or by doing well in the Global Challenges. The World Final will take place at CeBIT on March 3-8.