The inaugural edition of the AEW Continental Classic began on the November 22, 2023, episode of Wednesday Night Dynamite and culminated at the Worlds End pay-per-view (PPV) on December 30, 2023.
Tournament matches were held under "Continental Rules", which feature a 20-minute time limit, no one is allowed at ringside, and strictly prohibit outside interference.
Khan also announced that the incumbent Continental Champion at the time of future editions of the tournament would be given automatic entry to defend their title.
[5] All 12 participants and their groupings in the inaugural Continental Classic were revealed during the "Selection Special" midday on November 22 across AEW's social media.
The tournament takes place in a round-robin format, with two blocks of six wrestlers – titled the Blue and Gold Leagues – wrestling each other across AEW's television shows, Dynamite, Rampage, and Collision.