This guide breaks down World of Warcraft’s Mythic+ pushing format, the high-end competitive dungeon mode historically known as The Great Push. Now officially integrated into the Mythic Dungeon International (MDI) program, this format challenges elite teams to push the highest possible keystone levels within a fixed time window—prioritizing survival, coordination, and strategy over raw speed.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- What the Mythic+ pushing format is and how it differs from traditional MDI speed runs
- How qualification, group stages, and Global Finals are typically structured
- How scoring works, including keystone priority and time tiebreakers
- The key rules and competitive standards used on the tournament realm
- A historical case study of the 2025 season as a reference point
- Where to watch pushing events and how teams can prepare to compete
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Is There a Great Push in 2026? Current Status Explained
As of February 2026, Blizzard has not yet announced the official schedule, registration deadlines, or prize pool for this year’s pushing season. Blizzard typically announces competitive dungeon schedules closer to the start of each season.
To maintain accuracy while the community awaits the 2026 reveal, this guide outlines the evergreen mechanics of the tournament format and uses the 2025 season as a historical benchmark for what players and viewers should expect.d dungeons very fast. It starts on January 31st. You can also join a watch party or stream it yourself if you want.
What Is the WoW Mythic+ Pushing Format?
The pushing format is the ultimate test of strategy and survival in World of Warcraft. While the standard MDI focuses on speed-running, this format challenges teams to successfully “time” the highest possible keystone levels within a specific window.
| Feature | Details |
| Primary Objective | Complete the highest level Mythic Keystones in a timed event. |
| Official Program | Mythic Dungeon International (MDI). |
| Former Name | The Great Push (TGP). |
| Team Composition | 5 Players (Standard 1 Tank, 1 Healer, 3 DPS). |
| Qualification | Qualification events (commonly referred to as Time Trials or Proving Grounds). |
| Scoring Logic | Leaderboards prioritize Keystone Level first. Completion Time is used only as a tiebreaker. |
| Prize Pool | Varies by season (Historical pools have exceeded $200,000 USD). |
| Broadcast Style | Live commentary with multi-POV team streams. |
WoW Pushing Tournament Structure & Phases
Regardless of the specific year, the pushing tournament traditionally follows a structured three-phase progression designed to narrow the global field down to a small group of elite finalist teams.
Phase 1: Qualification Through Time Trials
The journey begins on a dedicated Tournament Realm, where all registered players are given access to max-level characters and elite gear. During the qualification window, teams must complete a specific set of dungeons. The goal is to post the fastest times at a baseline high keystone level. The top-ranked teams globally move on to the Group Stages.
Phase 2: Group Stages & Push Windows
The qualifying teams are divided into groups that compete on separate weekends.
- The Push Window: Teams are given a set amount of time (often 5–6 hours per day) to log their highest scores.
- Format Innovations: In recent seasons, groups have been split into smaller sets of teams to increase the broadcast stakes, with only the top-performing teams from each set advancing to the final day of the weekend.
- Strategic Adaptability: Organizers often disable certain dungeons until the weekend begins, preventing teams from “pre-solving” the meta and forcing them to innovate routes live on air.
Phase 3: Global Finals & Highest Keystone Pushes
The elite performers from the Group Stages—along with invited international teams (such as those from the China region in recent seasons)—converge for a multi-day Global Final. This is where the most difficult content in the game is tackled, with teams often attempting keystone levels rarely seen on live servers.
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Rules of the WoW Pushing Format (MDI)
To ensure a level playing field, the tournament format operates under a specific set of rules that differ from standard “Live” Mythic+ play:
- Co-Streaming: Blizzard typically allows community members to host watch parties. Interested streamers must usually register through an official MDI Watch Party Form to receive clean feeds or permissions.
- Gear Equalization: All teams have access to the same gear, enchants, and gems on the Tournament Realm, ensuring that victory is determined by skill and strategy rather than character progression.
- The “Timed” Requirement: For a keystone to be recorded on the leaderboard, it must be “timed” (completed within the dungeon’s internal clock). If a team completes a Level 32 key but fails the timer, it will be ranked below a Level 31 key that was completed on time.
- Route Discipline: Teams must follow strict rules regarding “skips” and “exploits.” Using unintended map geometry to bypass mobs can lead to penalties or disqualification.
The Great Push 2025: Format, Rules, and Key Changes
The 2025 season serves as the most recent example of how Blizzard scales these events.
- Prize Pool: The total prize pool for the 2025 season exceeded $200,000 USD.
- The “Set of 4” Format: 2025 introduced a highly competitive structure where eight-team groups were split into two sets of four. Only the top two teams from each set moved to the final day of their group weekend.
- Score Resets: On the final day of the 2025 Group Stages, scores were reset to zero, and teams were given three brand-new dungeons to determine the finalists.
- International Presence: The 2025 Global Finals featured a 6-team roster that included two invited teams from China, marking a significant return to global cross-region competition.
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Where to Watch WoW’s Mythic+ Pushing Format
When the 2026 season begins, fans can follow the action through several official and community channels.
- Broadcast Times: Broadcasts typically begin in the late morning PT / evening CET, depending on the specific season’s schedule.
- Official Twitch: Twitch.tv/Warcraft
- Official YouTube: YouTube.com/Warcraft
- Live Leaderboards: Real-time updates and team standings are usually hosted on the official Blizzard Esports Hub and partnered sites like Raider.IO.
For teams looking to compete in 2026, it is highly recommended to begin practicing high-level keys in the current expansion’s Mythic+ dungeon rotation, as the core mechanics of priority-target damage and defensive coordination remain the foundation of the pushing format.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mythic+ pushing format in WoW?
The Mythic+ pushing format is a competitive tournament mode where teams aim to complete the highest possible keystone levels within a fixed time window, prioritizing difficulty over speed.
Is the Mythic+ pushing format the same as The Great Push?
Yes. The pushing format was historically branded as The Great Push, but is now officially integrated into the Mythic Dungeon International (MDI) program.
How is pushing different from standard MDI speed runs?
Standard MDI focuses on the fastest completion time, while pushing focuses on successfully timing the highest keystone level, with time used only as a tiebreaker.
Is there a confirmed Great Push or pushing season for 2026?
As of February 2026, Blizzard has not announced official dates, registration details, or prize pools for the 2026 pushing season.
How does qualification for pushing tournaments work?
Teams usually qualify through open qualification events, commonly called Time Trials or Proving Grounds, held on a dedicated tournament realm.
Can anyone sign up for Time Trials?
Yes. Qualification is typically open registration, allowing any eligible team to compete without prior tournament placement.
How many players are on a pushing team?
Each team consists of five players: 1 Tank, 1 Healer, and 3 DPS.
How is scoring determined in the pushing format?
Leaderboards rank teams by highest keystone level completed. If multiple teams complete the same level, completion time determines placement.
What happens if a team fails to time a high keystone?
Untimed runs are ranked below any successfully timed lower-level keystone, even if the dungeon was completed.
What is the Tournament Realm?
The Tournament Realm is a special server where all competitors receive equalized gear, consumables, and character access, removing progression advantages.
Are dungeon routes and strategies known in advance?
Often no. Organizers may disable certain dungeons before the event, forcing teams to adapt strategies live during the broadcast.
What are push windows in Mythic+ tournaments?
Push windows are limited daily time periods (usually several hours) where teams can attempt and log their best keystone runs.
What are Group Stages in the pushing format?
After qualification, teams are split into groups that compete over a weekend, often with format variations like smaller sub-groups or score resets.
What happens in the Global Finals?
Top teams from Group Stages—sometimes including invited international teams—compete in a multi-day finals event featuring the highest keystones of the season.
How large is the prize pool for pushing tournaments?
Prize pools vary by season, but recent events have featured totals exceeding $200,000 USD.
Where can you watch Mythic+ pushing tournaments?
Events are typically broadcast on Twitch.tv/Warcraft, YouTube.com/Warcraft, and tracked via the official Blizzard Esports Hub.
How can players prepare to compete in pushing events?
Players should practice high-level Mythic+ keys, focus on defensive coordination and priority-target damage, and monitor Blizzard’s esports announcements for qualification windows.