COA IX Online Qualifiers registration opens December 31, 2026, with effective deadline January 13, 2026 at 21:00 UTC+8. Teams need 5-7 players (max 1 non-resident), must join tournament clubs 12+ hours before matches, and compete through Sacred Sanctum and Divine Procession stages to reach February–March 2026 Online Qualifiers.
Identity V COA IX Online Qualifiers: Essential Overview
Call of the Abyss IX features a multi-stage qualification system testing team coordination across specialized maps. Registration opens December 31, 2026 post-maintenance.
Tournament Structure:
Sacred Sanctum: Dec 31, 2026 - Jan 8, 2026 (Leviathan Shore map)
Maintenance: Jan 8, 2026 at 08:00 UTC+8 (240 minutes)
Divine Procession: Jan 8-22, 2026 (Ancient Passage map)
Radiant Altar: Jan 22-29, 2026
Online Qualifiers: February–March 2026
For tournament prep, Identity V echoes top up for COA through BitTopup provides fast access to essential characters.
Key COA IX Changes
Stricter roster verification and compressed timelines vs. previous tournaments. Effective deadline January 13, 2026 at 21:00 UTC+8 occurs two days before official closure—creating critical 12-hour verification window.
Match Limits:
Sacred Sanctum: 60 total matches per role, 6 daily per role
Divine Procession: 20 total matches per role, 5 daily
Reset: 00:00 UTC+8 daily
Critical Timeline
Dec 31, 2025: Registration opens, Sacred Sanctum begins
Jan 8, 2026: Sacred Sanctum ends, maintenance, Divine Procession starts
Jan 12, 2026 21:00 UTC+8: Final club join deadline (12+ hour requirement)
Jan 13, 2026 21:00 UTC+8: Effective registration deadline
Jan 14, 2026 09:00 UTC+8: S1 servers registration closes
Jan 15, 2026 09:00 UTC+8: S4 servers registration closes
Jan 22-29, 2026: Radiant Altar stage
Feb–Mar 2026: Online Qualifiers
Prize Pool & Advancement
Regional Advancement:
Japan Division: Top 5-6 teams
NA-EU Division: Top 8 teams
Southeast Asia Division: Top 8 teams
Fragment Rewards per Member:
Rank 1: 2000 Fragments
Rank 2: 1500 Fragments
Rank 3: 1200 Fragments
Ranks 4-8: 800 Fragments
Ranks 9-16: 600 Fragments
Ranks 17-50: 500 Fragments
COA IX Registration Deadlines: Critical Dates
Official registration closes Jan 14, 2026 (S1) or Jan 15, 2026 (S4), but effective deadline is Jan 13, 2026 at 21:00 UTC+8 for verification processing.
Submit complete rosters before effective deadline to ensure verification completes before qualification matches. The 12-hour window processes rosters, confirms eligibility, validates club membership.
Tournament Club Requirements
All members must join designated tournament club by Jan 12, 2026 at 21:00 UTC+8—satisfying 12+ hour membership before matches count. This prevents last-minute roster manipulation.
Server-Specific Windows
Both S1 and S4 servers must meet Jan 13, 2026 at 21:00 UTC+8 effective deadline despite different official closures. Target this date regardless of server.
Complete Roster Rules: Size, Roles, Substitutes
Register 1-7 players initially; minimum 5 players required for Online Qualifiers. Roster must cover Hunter and Survivor roles.
Team Points Formula: Highest Hunter score × 2 + four highest Survivor scores
Non-Resident Restrictions
Maximum 1 non-permanent resident per team to maintain regional integrity. Strategically allocate this slot for critical skill gaps.
Substitute Regulations
5-7 player range creates up to 2 substitute positions. Substitutions allowed between matches, not during gameplay. Rotating players prevents burnout across 60-match (Sacred Sanctum) and 20-match (Divine Procession) limits.
Eligibility Requirements Checklist
Account Standing:
Active account in good standing
No bans, suspensions, or penalties
Clean competitive history
Competitive Threshold:
1500 Quick/Ranked points OR 3000 Duo Hunters points
Regional Alignment:
All members on same regional server
Proper division registration (Japan/NA-EU/Southeast Asia)
Activity Requirements:
Consistent competitive participation
Updated game client
Stable connection during tournament hours
Accounts with active penalties face disqualification. Verify all members before registration—discovering ineligible players after effective deadline prevents replacement.
Step-by-Step Registration Process
Step 1: Assemble 5-7 player roster meeting eligibility requirements before Jan 13, 2026 at 21:00 UTC+8. Verify account standing, regional alignment, competitive points.
Step 2: Designate team captain for roster submission and tournament communication.
Step 3: Submit complete roster through tournament portal before effective deadline. Include player details, verify contact info, confirm regional division.
Step 4: Coordinate club joining by Jan 12, 2026 at 21:00 UTC+8 for 12+ hour requirement.
Step 5: Confirm verification within 12 hours. Monitor status and respond to verification requests promptly.
For tournament resources, buy Identity V echoes recharge online through BitTopup for instant access.
Pre-Registration Prep
Compile complete player info: game IDs, server details, competitive points, residency documentation. Verify updated game clients compatible with tournament requirements.
Captain Responsibilities
Captain serves as primary contact for verification requests, schedule updates, rule clarifications. Maintains responsive communication and monitors registration status. Incorrect captain-submitted info can disqualify team.
Team Formation Strategy
Balance Hunter expertise with Survivor proficiency. Hunter score's 2× multiplier makes Hunter performance disproportionately valuable. Four-Survivor scoring requires depth over single-star performance.
Role Distribution
Maintain specialists for both roles plus flexible players for role-switching. Match limits (60 Sacred Sanctum, 20 Divine Procession per role) necessitate rotation strategies.
Map-specific requirements: Leviathan Shore (Sacred Sanctum) and Ancient Passage (Divine Procession) favor different Hunter/Survivor strategies—roster depth must adapt.
Substitute Strategic Value
2 substitutes within 7-player max provide crucial flexibility. Substitutes should match primary roster skill levels—they'll see significant playing time across qualification stages due to match limits.
Common Registration Mistakes
Waiting until Jan 14-15: Effective deadline Jan 13, 2026 at 21:00 UTC+8 exists for verification. Late submissions risk incomplete processing.
Registering <5 players: While initial registration accepts 1-7, the 5-player minimum for Online Qualifiers is mandatory. Recruiting after closure is extremely difficult.
Ignoring club deadline: Membership by Jan 12, 2026 at 21:00 UTC+8 required. Last-minute joining means matches won't count.
Skipping eligibility verification: Account penalties, insufficient points, or regional misalignment discovered during verification can disqualify entire teams.
Session Management
Registration interface times out after 15 minutes of inactivity, losing unsaved progress. Prepare all info before accessing portal to complete in single session.
Technical Requirements
Game Client: Updated version compatible with current competitive patch. Version mismatches prevent match participation.
Connection Stability: Stable connections during peak hours required:
Quick Matches: 12:00-22:00 server time
Ranked Matches: 12:00-14:00, 19:00-21:00 server time
Divine Procession: 19:00-21:00 server time
Match Availability Windows
Abyss Quick: 12:00-22:00 server time
Abyss Ranked: 12:00-14:00, 19:00-21:00 server time
Divine Procession: 19:00-21:00 server time (tightest window)
Teams must coordinate availability during Divine Procession's 2-hour daily window to maximize 5-match daily limit.
Daily Reset
All daily limits reset 00:00 UTC+8 regardless of time zones. Coordinate around this timing for strategic advantage.
Post-Registration Preparation
Refine strategies, practice map-specific tactics, optimize character selections immediately—compressed timeline demands urgent prep.
Sacred Sanctum (Leviathan Shore): Specific Hunter/Survivor strategies differ from standard ranked. Practice map familiarization, kiting routes, cipher management, Hunter patrol patterns.
Divine Procession (Ancient Passage): Different tactical considerations. Adaptable teams shift strategies without performance loss.
Qualification Scoring
Team points formula (highest Hunter × 2 + four highest Survivors) creates optimization priorities:
Identify strongest Hunter for 2× multiplier
Develop consistent Survivor performance across four players
Match Limit Management
Sacred Sanctum: 60 total, 6 daily per role (Dec 31, 2025 - Jan 8, 2026). Develop rotation schedules preventing burnout.
Divine Procession: 20 total, 5 daily per role (Jan 8-22, 2026). Prioritize high-value matches during 19:00-21:00 window.
Tournament Resources
Competitive success requires diverse character rosters enabling strategic flexibility and counter-picks. Character availability gaps create significant disadvantages.
Essential characters vary by role and map. Leviathan Shore vs. Ancient Passage demand different optimal Hunters/Survivors. Unlock map-specific characters, not just general-purpose selections.
Character Acquisition
BitTopup provides secure, efficient Identity V echoes access for character unlocks, costumes, resource management. Competitive pricing and fast delivery optimize rosters without delays.
Tournament-ready accounts need character diversity for evolving meta strategies. BitTopup's reliable service supports rapid acquisition matching compressed qualification schedules.
Account Security
Implement two-factor authentication and secure passwords—compromised accounts face disqualification. Regular maintenance: client updates, connection testing, eligibility verification prevents technical disruptions.
FAQ
When does COA IX registration open and close? Opens Dec 31, 2025 post-maintenance. Officially closes Jan 14, 2026 09:00 UTC+8 (S1) or Jan 15, 2026 09:00 UTC+8 (S4). Effective deadline: Jan 13, 2026 at 21:00 UTC+8 for 12-hour verification.
What's the team size requirement? Register 1-7 players initially. Minimum 5 players required for Feb–Mar 2026 Online Qualifiers. Allows up to 2 substitutes.
How many non-resident players allowed? Maximum 1 non-permanent resident per team.
What are match limits? Sacred Sanctum: 60 total/6 daily per role. Divine Procession: 20 total/5 daily per role. Reset: 00:00 UTC+8.
How many teams advance per region? Japan: Top 5-6 teams. NA-EU: Top 8. Southeast Asia: Top 8.
What if I miss club joining deadline? Club membership by Jan 12, 2026 at 21:00 UTC+8 required for 12+ hour minimum. Missing this means matches won't count—effective disqualification.
Prepare your COA IX roster with confidence! Unlock essential tournament characters and resources instantly through BitTopup—the fastest, most secure way to power up your competitive Identity V account. Start fully equipped today!