Honor of Kings Challenger Cup 2026 — Turneringen värd 1,5 miljoner dollar drar igång

The Honor of Kings Challenger Cup 2026 is set to kick off its sixth edition, bringing together top-tier teams and a prize pool of nearly $1.5 million, making it one of the most prestigious domestic tournaments in the game’s ecosystem.

Schedule and Format

The competition begins with Stage 1 on April 25, 2026, featuring a multi-round format. The opening round will be played in best-of-five (BO5) matches, followed by best-of-seven (BO7) series. A special Challengers’ Blessing rule will be in effect, with two seeded teams placed directly into fixed bracket positions while the rest are determined through a draw. The top eight teams will advance to the next stage.

Stage 2 runs from May 8 to May 17, with an additional match day on May 23. This phase introduces a double-elimination bracket, with all matches played in BO7 format, except for the grand final, which will be a BO9. The tournament also adopts the Global Ban & Pick system, with an Ultimate Battle rule for deciding games.

Participating Teams

A total of 32 teams will compete, representing major leagues such as KPL, KGL, MKL, PKL, and IKL. The lineup includes top organizations like Weibo Gaming (defending champions), EDward Gaming, JD Gaming, Royal Never Give Up, Team WE, LGD NBW, and Wolves, alongside rising contenders and regional challengers.

Prize Pool

The tournament offers a total prize pool of ¥10,000,000 (approximately $1.47 million), distributed as follows:

• 1st place: ¥3,000,000 (~$440,000)
• 2nd place: ¥1,100,000 (~$162,000)
• 3rd place: ¥750,000 (~$110,000)
• 4th place: ¥550,000 (~$80,000)
• 5th–6th: ¥400,000 (~$59,000)
• 7th–8th: ¥300,000 (~$45,000)
• 9th–16th: ¥200,000 (~$30,000)
• 17th–32nd: ¥100,000 (~$15,000)

In addition to prize money, teams will earn KPL points, adding further competitive value.

Event Location and Viewing

The tournament will be held offline across Beijing and Shanghai, with matches expected to draw strong viewership as fans follow the battle for the title.

Final Overview

With a stacked lineup, high stakes, and a refined competitive format, the Honor of Kings Challenger Cup 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting events of the year.