M80 have secured their place at the upcoming Roman Imperium Cup VIII, confirming their attendance on the same day they were eliminated from the Esports World Cup. The tournament will be held from September 10th through 13th in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
The event opened registration on July 16th, though spots filled more gradually compared to similar competitions. Sixteen teams will battle for a €12,000 prize pool, with the champion taking home half of that amount. Joining M80 are several noteworthy squads including SAW, Iberian Soul, Luminosity, and LOUD, who are expected to feature the Brazilian LargadosyPelados roster in their Counter-Strike debut.
This year's tournament introduces a revamped format. Competition begins with two six-team groups playing all Bo1 round-robin matches. Group winners advance directly to playoffs, while second and third-place finishers enter a play-in stage. Teams finishing fourth through sixth face elimination. The play-in pits each second-place team against the opposite group's third-place finisher, with two teams advancing.
The playoff bracket will feature eight teams: the two group winners, two play-in victors, and four highest-seeded teams based on September VRS rankings. Playoffs follow a full-Bo3, double-elimination format.
For M80, the tournament represents a crucial opportunity to regain momentum following a difficult start to the second season of 2026. They enter as one of the top contenders for a deep run in the competition.
