SOOP’s official StarCraft esports league, the ASL, has officially hit its 20th season, marking a decade of competitive history.

On the 18th, SOOP kicked off the 'Google Play ASL Season 20' league, played on Blizzard Entertainment’s classic sci-fi RTS, StarCraft Remastered, beginning with the Round of 24.

The opening Round of 24 Group A matches featured Cho Ki-seok (T), Kim Tae-young (T), Lim Hong-gyu (Z), and Song Byung-gu (P). Lim Hong-gyu, making a return to the ASL after four years following a wrist injury, managed to secure a spot in the Round of 16 by defeating both Song Byung-gu and Cho Ki-seok. Cho Ki-seok eventually joined in the Round of 16 after triumphing over Kim Tae-young in the final match.

Moving to the Group B matches on the 19th, Jeong Young-jae (T), Jeon Tae-yang (T), Kim Taek-yong (P), and Lee Young-woong (T) went head-to-head. Kim Taek-yong dominated the group, taking first place by overcoming Lee Young-woong and Jeon Tae-yang. Lee Young-woong fought through the losers' and final brackets, defeating Terran players Jeong Young-jae and Jeon Tae-yang to confirm a spot in the Round of 16.

For the final Group C matches of the first week on the 20th, Byun Hyun-je (P), Lee Chang-woo (Z), Park Sang-hyun (Z), and Choi Ho-seon (T) took to the stage. Park Sang-hyun, returning from military service, showcased overwhelming offensive power to defeat both Choi Ho-seon and Byun Hyun-je to advance. Byun Hyun-je, despite a loss to Park Sang-hyun in the winners' match, successfully navigated past Lee Chang-woo and Choi Ho-seon to reach the Round of 16.

The Group D matches, starting on the 25th at 7:00 PM, will feature a Zerg-heavy lineup with Kim Myung-woon (Z), Go Seok-hyun (Z), Kim Jung-woo (Z), and Kim Yoon-hwan (Z). Following that, the Group E matches on the 26th include Yoo Young-jin (T), Jung Kyung-doo (P), Lee Jae-dong (Z), and Yoon Chan-hee (T). The first match will see Jung Kyung-doo, who qualified by defeating Kim Taek-yong, face off against Yoo Young-jin.

The final set of Round of 24 matches on Wednesday the 27th will see Group F competitors Jo Il-jang (Z), Bang Tae-su (Z), Kim Ji-sung (T), and Hwang Byung-young (T) battle it out. The opening bout pits the 'ASL semifinal regular' Jo Il-jang against the newcomer Bang Tae-su.

Google Play ASL Season 20 will see the 12 players qualified from the Round of 24 joined by seeded players Kim Min-cheol (Z), Do Jae-wook (P), Jang Yoon-cheol (P), and Lee Jae-ho (T). After the group selection ceremony on September 1 (Mon), the Round of 16 begins on September 8. The map pool includes existing maps Radeon, Dominator, Polarity, and Metropolis, with new additions: Uldolmok, Litmus, and Knockout. As with previous seasons, the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals will all be played as best-of-seven series.

Google Play ASL Season 20 is held offline with a live audience at the 'FreecUP Studio' in Daechi-dong, Seoul. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis every Thursday at 5:00 PM via TicketLink. For more details, you can visit the SOOP ASL official broadcast page.