MLG's World of Warcraft tournament is looking to expand this season. In a recent press release the American organisation announced that last year's eight team tournaments will be expanded to 16 in 2010.

Starting at Columbus on June 4, the new format will see two groups of eight teams battling it out for qualification into the bracket stage. Two teams from each group will make up the four-team, double elimination brackets. The winners of each event will pick up $15,000 USD according to the MLG website.

But perhaps the biggest deviation from last season is a change in the invite-only system. In a nod towards ESL's Extreme Masters, each event from number two (Raleigh, North Carolina) onwards will feature online qualifiers before the tournament itself. The top four teams from the qualifier will be invited to the LAN event. The top two qualifiers will also have their accommodation paid for by MLG. Third and fourth place teams will presumably have to pay their own way.

As per last season, there will be three "regular season" events, culminating in a Championship tournament. Teams will be ranked by the points they win at regular season events. The top eight teams after the regular season will then attend the championship event and play for $25,000 USD in prizes. It appears that there will be no hardware prizes this season, however.

MLG 2010 begins with the Columbus event on June 4. Event two - the first event to feature an online qualifier - will be held in Raleigh, North Virginia (date TBA). The third event, as well as the championship finals, are still to be finalised.

Source: Game Riot