Grand Finals Qualifier General Info.

By Alfonso Trinidad
On Monday 31 August 2026 17:55

Grand Finals Qualifier Genral Info!

What an absolute thriller of a Season! Thank you to every team that played!

1. Grand Finals Qualifier!

Our official Manhattan representatives competing at the GFQ are:

  • Poolhall Drunkies - Sour Mouse (Wednesday Session 1 winner)
  • Cue De Grace - Society Billiards (Wednesday Session 1 & 3 winner)
  • New Attitude - Irish American Pub (Wed. Session 1 Wildcard Shootout winner)
  • My Cuesin Vinny - Society Billiards (Wednesday Session 2 & 3 Winner)
  • In Angel We Trust - Cassidy's (Wednesday Session 2 Wildcard Shootout Winner)
  • 5 Second Shooters - Society Billiards (Wed. Session 3 Wildcard Shootout winner)
  • Felt Like A Scratch - Sour Mouse (Monday Session 2 & 3 Winner)
  • Abhi Missin Alot - Society (Monday Session 2 Winner)
  • In Our Prime - Society Billiards (Mon. Session 2 Wildcard Shootout winner)
  • High 8's - Sour Mouse (Monday Session 3 Winner)

Our official Nassau representatives competing at the GFQ are:

  • Ultimate Raxx - Raxx (Session 3 winner)
  • Wait For It - Raxx (Session 3 winner)
  • Queens Finest Raxx - Raxx (Session 2 Winner)
  • TIme Bandits - Raxx (Session 2 Winner)
  • Aces of 8 - Raxx(Session 2 Wildcard Shootout Winner)

Our official Queen's representatives competing at the GFQ are:

  • Pocket Change out of Ready Penny (Session 2A winner)
  • Shouldn't Have Done That... out of McLoughlin's Bar (Session 2B winner)
  • Better Call Chalk out of Veronica's (Session 2 Wildcard Shootout winner)
  • Queen's Finest out of Globe Tavern (Session 3 Winner)
  • Legendary Cue Crew (Session 3 Wildcard Shootout Winner)

2. Grand Finals Qualifier (GFQ)

Tentative Schedule Outline:

(Note: Exact match times are pending official confirmation, this is a general outline for the weekend)

  • Friday, Sept 11: Round 1 starting around 7:00 PM (player meeting 6:30 pm) practice should be available 6 pm.
  • Saturday, Sept 12: Multiple rounds starting around 10:00 AM (Doors should open 9:30 am)
  • Sunday, Sept 13: Semi Final/Final rounds starting around 10:00 AM (Doors should open 9:30 am)
**All teams will be seeded based on total points they earned when they qualified.  The top 12 teams out of the pool of the 1st and 2nd Place teams received the first round byes. If you reached 1st or 2nd place more than once in the three previous three sessions, you received the first set of byes.  There are a total of 12 byes that were issued utilizing a 32 team bracket.  Please look for a second email with the brackets.  Please make sure to be on time.
 

Key GFQ Rules & Announcements:

  • CRITICAL RULE – NO DOUBLE-PLAYS: Unlike regular session play, double-plays are strictly prohibited during the GFQs and Grand Finals. If your team only has 4 players available for a match, you will be forced to forfeit the 5th game.
  • Forfeit Penalty: A forfeit awards 20 points directly to the opposing team. It is crucial that captains ensure their full squad is present and accountable for every match.
  • Common Players- If two teams are scheduled to play each other and have common players- THOSE COMMON PLAYERS MUST SIT OUT FOR THE MATCH.  We tried our best to prevent these match ups staying consistent with the seeding.
  • Confirm eligibility of your players! Each player needs 10 total matches in the year, and 4 matches played in session 3. If they do not meet these requirements the player is not eligible to play in the Qualifiers or Grand Finals. We are in the process of confirming every player on qualified teams but you don't want it to come as a surprise.  Roster confirmations will be issued with the brackets.
  • Broadcast & Dress Code: The GFQs will be streamed live on YouTube with a featured table. Players should dress appropriately.  You will all be issued Jerseys.  Please wear them during the GFQ.
  • Official GFQ rules will be distributed soon.
  • Each team should know the UPL 8 Ball Rules! Each team is a championship team!

3. Official Grand Finals 8-Ball Payout Structure

As a reminder of what our qualified teams are competing for in November, here is the official breakdown for the national 8-Ball Grand Finals prize pool:

  • Champion: $112,000
  • Runner-Up: $50,000
  • Semi-Finalists: $20,000
  • Quarter-Finalists: $10,000
  • Last 16: $3,000
  • Last 32: $1,000

4. Jersey Update

 

  • Custom jerseys were ordered! We are tracking production and will provide an update on delivery and distribution as soon as they arrive. Please make sure to bring them to the GFQ.  We will be taking photos and videos of all teams.

5. Recapping Captain & Player Action Items:

  • Captains and players: Know the rules
  • GFQ Team Captains: Confirm your full eligible roster availability for the Sept 11–13 weekend. Avoid the 20-point forfeit penalty! Make sure to confirm the eligibility of your players! Each player needs 10 total matches in the year, and 4 matches played in session 3. If they do not meet these requirements the player is not eligible to play in the Qualifiers or Grand Finals.
  • The Two Qualifier Champions will get Jam Up Jerseys to represent NY Metro in the Grand Finals, IF YOU WANT YOUR TEAM LOGO ON THE TEAM JERSEYS - Make sure to get us a logo by the Qualifiers. Send to uplnymetro@gmail.com

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email, Thank you!