The Continental Classic is AEW’s premier annual tournament, with two round-robin style tournaments consisting of two fields, the Blue League and the Gold League, with six competitors each. Each entrant will compete in five individual matches (one each against each of the other competitors in their league), vying to become the top points earner in their league.

Continental Classic matches are contested under Continental Rules, which feature a 20-minute time limit and the stipulations that no one is allowed at ringside and that there is the strictest prohibition against outside interference, under the threat of being banned from AEW. 

The Continental Classic’s round-robin stage is scored on a points-based system, with a winning wrestler receiving 3 points for a victory in a match and a losing wrestler receiving 0 in defeat. Each wrestler receives 1 point in the case of a draw. Any ties in points are broken by head-to-head record. AEW Worlds End in Chicago, Illinois on December 27 will host both the semifinals and finals of this year's Continental Classic. The semifinals will feature the winner of each league against the runner-up of the opposite league (i.e. the winner of the Blue League will face the runner-up of the Gold League, and vice-versa).