Mortal Kombat 1 is nearly at release now, one of the biggest fighting games of 2023 about to be unleashed. While the game has already had some early competitive events scheduled though, we’ve got a new first tournament. The Mortal Kombat 1 Early Access tournament has been announced for September 15th.

This initial tournament will give us an early taste of how the game is being played competitively. While a bit soon for most players to have really figured out the meta, it’s a nice opportunity to get a look at some of the standout players. The tournament is being hosted by MFSlayer, taking place on his Twitch channel. The early access event will also feature a prize pool of $1,000.

The Mortal Kombat 1 release date is scheduled for September 19. However, anyone who pre-ordered the premium edition of the game is going to be able to play the title early, from September 14. That gives us only a day between this early access starting and the tournament taking place.

Source: @MFSLAYER

What to Expect at the Mortal Kombat 1 Early Access Tournament

The MFSlayer Early Access tournament is going to be a fun look at how the game handles in a fighting game esports setting. Although, is a smaller event being put on by a streamer. There will be a cap of 128 entrants. However, while not too big 128 is still a decent number for a launch tournament. This means it might not be as big as some early SF 6 tournaments like the Intel Invitational. As a more open format though, it has its advantages.

The competitors at this event are largely going to be just those who get in touch with MFSlayer and enter. This is going to make for a more open format. We’ll likely still get to see some of the top players trying things out, but a more diverse mix compared to most release tournaments.

With a wider pool, we’ll probably see more variety of MK characters tried out. This gives us a better feel for how they’re playing. If you’re not taking part in the early access, this will be a great look at which characters feel the strongest. Although, a lot can change. If you want to get a head start on MK1, the Mortal Kombat 1 Early Access Tournament is not one to be missed.