The Ultimate Esports Event Fan Guide for 2026
From the roaring arenas of Brazil to the historic stages in Europe, the Esports Events schedule is absolutely packed. It can be a little overwhelming trying to keep track of every bracket and broadcast, so this article has done the heavy lifting for you. Whether you live for the tactical stress of a CS2 defuse or the chaotic magic of a MOBA team fight, this is your rundown of the esports events you simply can’t miss this year.
The Early Year Grind (January & February)
We aren’t easing into 2026; we are diving in headfirst. January kicks off with some heavy hitters. First up, we’ve got the M7 World Championship for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. If you’ve never watched top-tier mobile esports, the energy is infectious, and with the event running until late January in Indonesia, the crowd is going to be deafening.
For the shooter fans, the ALGS Championship for Apex Legends is taking over Japan in mid-January. Watching a final circle close in Apex is one of the most stressful things in gaming, but it’s what we live for.
February belongs to Rainbow Six Siege. The Six Invitational 2026 is heading to Paris. The “SI” isn’t just a tournament; it’s a celebration of the game. If you can catch a stream, the production value is always top-tier. We also see Counter-Strike heating up with IEM Kraków wrapping up and PGL Cluj-Napoca kicking off in Romania. Eastern Europe lives and breathes Counter-Strike, so expect the atmosphere to be electric.
Spring Showdowns (March & April)
March is massive for the VALORANT community as the VCT International Leagues (Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China) get rolling. This is where the storylines for the year are built—who looks shaky, who looks unstoppable, and which rookie is about to become a superstar.
We also have a treat for the strategy nerds in April with Red Bull Wololo: Londinium. And it’s the big one for Age of Empires II. There is something deeply satisfying about watching high-level AOE play in a castle setting.
One esports event we can’t ignore is IEM Rio in April. If you have never watched a Counter-Strike event hosted in Brazil, you are missing out. The passion is unmatched. It’s loud, it’s emotional, and it’s arguably the best crowd experience in all of esports events.
The Mid-Year Heavyweights (May & June)
By May and June, the esports event stakes get real. We’ve got the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) for League of Legends rumored for late June. This is the first time we really get to see how the different regions stack up against each other. Will the West finally upset the East?
However, the headliner for June has to be the IEM Cologne Major. Cologne is known as the “Cathedral of Counter-Strike” for a reason. Upgrading it to Major status? That is going to be legendary. The history in that building is palpable.
The Summer of Champions (July & August)
Summer 2026 is going to be a marathon. The Esports World Cup returns to Saudi Arabia, spanning July and August. It’s a massive festival covering everything from League to Free Fire, and the sheer scale of it is hard to ignore.
Then, usually in August (though dates can shift), we look toward The International for Dota 2. Even if you don’t play Dota, you watch TI. The prize pools are life-changing, the gameplay is incredibly complex, and the “Cinderella runs” from underdog teams are what make sports so beautiful.
The Grand Finales (September – December)
Now for the home stretch. September brings us VALORANT Champions, the culmination of the entire VCT year. Last year’s finale gave me goosebumps, and with the game growing globally, 2026 should be even louder.
October is reserved for the biggest event of 2026: League of Legends Worlds. It’s the Super Bowl of our industry. The music videos, the opening ceremonies, the narratives—Riot Games knows how to put on a show.
Finally, we close out the year with the PGL Major Singapore for CS2 in November and December. Ending the year with a Major? That is the perfect holiday gift. So, clear your weekends and get your snacks ready. Esports in 2026 is going to be one for the history books.
