---
title: "The International Masters"
description: "The International Masters"
url: https://support.goalunited.org/en/articles/33-the-international-masters
collection: "Competitions"
updated: 2026-10-27
language: en
alternates: [pl, de, tr, fr, it, es]
---

# The International Masters

The International Masters

The Event "International Masters" (IM) is a tournament that allows managers to compete internationally. It begins with a group phase of 6 matches, and then a knockout phase with 6 rounds.

## Qualification

Managers can compete in the International Masters Gold or in the International Masters Silver. With the start of each new season, the qualification for the International Masters begins. It ends at the season's midpoint. All teams ranked in the top half of their league (ranks 1-6) participate in the International Masters Gold. The teams ranked 7th-12th take part in the International Masters Silver.

> **Warning:** To participate in the International Masters you must have reached career level 20 before the 11th match of the season is over!

## The tournament

The tournament is played in classes of 128 teams each. Each class is made up of teams with about equal strength. This means that there are many winners in each strength level.  
**The class strength level is decided based on the highest top 11 strength of the club that was achieved in the last 11 weeks. This means that if your club had the highest strength at 85 in the last 11 weeks and then dropped to 55, in the next Int. Masters season you will still be placed in a class where teams have a strength level around 85** (+-5 strength points difference is tolerable).

> **Info:** One or more teams in the class may be stronger than the rest of the participants by several strength points. Also, sometimes, when there aren't enough participants in the class clubs with lower or higher strength values can fill the empty spots.

## Group phase

First, there is a **group phase** with 4 teams each, in which each team plays 3 home and 3 away matches. 

During the group phase, the spectator turnout is the same for the International Gold and Silver. The spectator outcome goes up after the group phase and increases until the final, with the International Masters Gold being more popular than silver. 

The final of the IM Gold will draw twice the spectators than during the group phase. The final of the IM Silver will draw 65% more.

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/6830216aaf89f3506edf0699/20250602123033_6531.png)

The two top-ranked teams in each group advance to the **knockout phase.** Two matches are played in each round so that every team plays home and away. 

The income from the finals is as follows:

-   visitor income for IM Gold: 1.795.000€ (897.500€ for each team)
    
-   visitor income for IM Silver: 1.250.000€ (625.000€ for each team)
    

> **Success:** There is no advantage for the team _that_ scored more goals in the away match of the knockout phase. For example: In case of a draw after two matches and total result, the extra time and ultimately penalties will decide the team that advances to the next round.
>
> **The final** is played in a neutral stadium, so there will be no home-field advantage, and home and away bonuses from special decoration buildings (such as Moai buildings) do not count.

## Bonuses

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/6830216aaf89f3506edf0699/20250602123033_7822.png)

The four best teams in each class receive the following bonuses:

IM-Gold: 

-   Winner – 14.000.000 € + 7500 GU STARS + Trophy
    
-   Runner-up – 6.500.000 €
    
-   Semi-finalists – 3.000.000 €
    

IM-Silver:

-   Winner – 7.000.000 € + 7500 GU STARS + Trophy
    
-   Runner-up – 3.000.000 €
    
-   Semi-finalists – 1.250.000 €
    

The top scorer's bonus is also paid at the end of the competition. To access the top scorer's list, in the International Master screen click on the button with a cannon symbol on the left side.

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/6830216aaf89f3506edf0699/20250602123033_5892.png)

> **Info:** When two or more clubs finish on equal points in the group phase, the ranking will be decided by the following "tiebreakers" (in the order below):
> \- goal difference
> \- more scored goals
> \- random