By Sagar V. Mankar 
Tekken 7 has reigned in the fighting game ring since 2015 but its esports swan song nears.
The iconic title is ready to pass the baton to the hotly anticipated sequel Tekken 8 in 2024 after one last World Tour Finals blowout.
So let’s break down everything you need to know about Tekken Esports’ grand finale!
Schedule
TWT will be started with the Last Chance Qualifier on January 12, 2024.
60 players from around the world will battle for the final 20th spot in Tekken World Tour 2023.
Then the real game begins.
Two-day Tekken World Tour (TWT) 2023 Finals on January 13-14.
Taking place in New Orleans, this tournament represents the culmination of a year-long TWT circuit.
With $100,000 in prizes on the line and Tekken 7’s competitive curtain call, you know the world’s top players will unleash their dankest combos and saltiest trash talk.
Who’s Ready to Brawl? Participants
A total of 20 elite brawlers have qualified for TWT 2023 through tour leaderboard points and last-chance qualifiers.
Reigning champion Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique headlines a stacked lineup including legends like Knee and current frontrunners Kkokkoma and LowHigh.
The finals could come down to an epic rematch between Arslan and his Tekken rival Knee.
- Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique
- Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon
- Jae-hyun “CherryBerryMango” Kim
- Jeon “Jeondding” Sang-hyun
- Bae “Knee” Jae-Min
- Atif “Atif Butt” Ijaz
- Hasan “JoKa” Rehman
- Jeong “Rangchu” Hyeon-ho
- Hoa “Anakin” Luu
- Daniel “Danielmado” Madonia
- Raef “Raef” Alturkistani
- Kim “Kkokkoma” Mu-jong
- Yoon “LowHigh” Sun-woong
- Akihiro “Ao” Abe
- Yuta “Chikurin” Take
- Jonathan “Tibetano” Medina
- Joseph “Joey Fury” Bennett
- Vincent “Super Akouma” Homan
- Nopparut “Book” Hempamorn
- TWT 2023 Last Chance Qualifier winner
Bring on the Hype: Format
Group Stage
- These 20 players will be divided into 4 groups each having 5 players
- Battle in Round robin Format
- Best-of-3 matches will decide the winner
- Only the top 2 players from each group will advance to the final bracket. – Group winners on the Winner’s Side and Group runner-ups to the Loser’s Side – rest 3 eliminated
Final Bracket
- It is a Double-elimination bracket.
- The Group Winner will get more chances to qualify for the Grand finals
- Best-of-3 matches.
- Started with Winners Semifinals – 4-player battle in 2 groups – winner of each group will battle in Winner Finals to reach grand finals – Rest will have a second chance at the Losser bracket
- Loser Basket started with -> Losers Round 1 -> Losers Quarterfinals -> Losers Semifinals
Grand Finals
- 2 players (Winner of winner finals and winner of Losers finals)
- Best of 5 matches
- winner will get a $50000 share in the Prize pool
Passing the Torch to Tekken 8
On January 26, mere days after the TWT Finals, Tekken 8 hits the ring flaunting Unreal Engine 5 visuals and new mechanics.
So this tournament represents both an end and a beginning.