https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT2rLqz0ddY
He goes over the new method of unlocking early access for the new brawlers.
>Each day (for 10 days) you get 3 tickets to play the new event. (New event is just a mega pig copy.)
>Every 2 wins you get a mega box with a chance to unlock the new brawler. (1% chance)
>After opening 14 boxes you are guaranteed to unlock the new brawler.
You get to play 30 games. You have to win 28 of them for the 14 boxes. So you can't lose more then 2 games, and you can't miss a day if you that guaranteed unlock (Pretty much no body is getting that new brawler for free lol.)

He never mentions it in the video, but I'm willing to bet you can buy the boxes during the event. Like they do with every update that has a new Box/Star drop, plus when he shows the brawler there's a shop button with the new box on it.
So when they said they were "going to remove the early access offers" they were full of shit. They definitely expect you to buy the new boxes if you want the new brawler early.
On the other hand though for people like me who never bought the early access offers. Nothing is really changing other then some free mega boxes each month.