Apex Legends delivers a squad-based battle royale experience with a uniquely Respawn flavor. Players will select from one of eight Legends - each with their own unique abilities and playstyles - and the last team standing wins. Combatants can choose from unique characters like Bloodhound, the tracker who can see recent enemy activity on the map, or Lifeline, a battlefield medic who can shield teammates and bring them back from the brink of death. Balanced squads and teamwork are critical, as each Legend is easy to pick up and learn, but challenging to master.

Apex Legends showcases several new genre-leading innovations, starting before players even start the match. Once players are ready to begin, they’ll choose their drop point with the Jumpmaster system, giving each squad full control over exactly where they drop in. Is it smarter to head straight for the most valuable loot and risk early conflict with other teams, or make for one of the outlying areas to plot an attack and let other squads pick each other off?

The Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) is revealing the roadmap for Year 6 of the popular Battle Royale esport.

Here are five key takeaways you need to know: 

• A Global LAN Circuit: ALGS Year 6 will be headlined by three major international stops: the Split 1 Playoffs at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Split 2 Playoffs in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the capstone Championship returning to Sapporo, Japan, next winter.
• $7 Million USD in Total Prizing Up for Grabs: With a total of $7 million USD on the line across ALGS Year 6, the stakes are higher than ever. Each of the three major LANs will now carry a massive $2 million USD prize pool each.
• Enhanced Pro Stability & Competitive Integrity: In an effort to support more stability for fans and esports organizations, Year 6 will introduce official roster transfer windows and a 12-match minimum requirement for players to earn Championship Points. These changes are designed to reward consistent performance and prevent mid-season roster volatility.
• Gameplay Parity Updates: Legend Bans – a fan-favorite strategic element – will be expanded to the Challenger Circuit to align the amateur experience with the Pro League.
• The Path to Pro is Now Open: Registration is officially live for the ALGS Online Open (formerly known as Preseason Qualifiers). This provides a grassroots opportunity for up-and-coming squads to test their skills and qualify for the Pro League, maintaining the “open format” backbone of the series.

"Celebrating the game's anniversary and the year ahead is shaping up to be one of the most exciting chapters yet for Apex Legends and the ALGS,” said Daniel Suarez, Studio General Manager at Respawn. “Competitive play is deeply woven into Apex’s DNA, and this year's ALGS roadmap reflects our continued investment in building a global ecosystem that empowers players, celebrates our community, and showcases the highest levels of competitive skill.”

“This roadmap clearly reflects that we’re investing in the long-term future of the ALGS,” said Monica Dinsmore, Head of Esports at EA. “By expanding competition, increasing prizing, and showing up in key regions around the world, we’re building an ecosystem that brings players and fans closer together, fuels deeper loyalty, and creates a stronger, more transparent competitive pathway.”

YEAR 6 OF THE APEX LEGENDS GLOBAL SERIES IS HERE - REGISTER NOW!

Following another amazing season-ending Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) Championship in Sapporo, with record-breaking ticket sales of over 38,000, EA and Respawn are delighted to announce the sixth year of the ALGS, sharing our full competitive roadmap for the entire year of competition.

Year 6 of the ALGS represents a significant step forward for Apex Legends esports. With a return to our fan-favorite Split Playoffs structure featuring three global LAN events, and a total prize pool of $7,000,000 USD, marking a $1,000,000 USD increase for ALGS Year 6, this is our most ambitious competitive year to date.

Building on everything that has made the first five years of the ALGS special, Year 6 introduces meaningful improvements shaped directly by feedback from players, teams, and fans. At its core,  ALGS gameplay will continue to be defined by its signature competitive elements, including the Match Point format, POI Drafting, and Legend Bans, all of which return for Year 6 and remain central to how the game is played at the highest level.

In Year 6, the ALGS will return to a truly global LAN calendar, featuring Playoff events in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (July 2026) and Las Vegas, USA (October 2026) before returning for the third time to  Sapporo, Japan (January 2027) for the ALGS Championship. Also, keep your eyes peeled for more updates about opportunities for our competitors between the Split 2 Playoffs and the Championship.

Throughout the season, teams will once again compete for ALGS Championship Points, earned through performance across Pro League and Playoffs events. These points will be crucial in determining which teams secure their place at the ALGS Championship in Sapporo, making consistency and performance across the entire year more important than ever.

Read on for full details of what to expect in ALGS Year 6.

Online Open

ALGS Year 6 begins with the Online Open, the first competitive step on the road to the ALGS Championship. Formerly known as the Preseason Qualifiers, the Online Open marks the official start of the Year 6 calendar and provides eligible teams across all regions with their opportunity to qualify for Pro League Split 1.

The ALGS Online Open will feature four open qualifier weekends, taking place on February 28–March 2, March 7–9, March 14–16, and March 21–23, 2026. The winner of each qualifier in every region will earn a direct spot in Pro League Split 1. The next four top teams per region, based on cumulative points across all four qualifiers, will also advance to Pro League Split 1.

The Online Open epitomizes one of the core pillars of the ALGS since its inception, open competition that is accessible to all. This gives anyone the chance to work their way up with consistent performances and potentially make it to LAN.

The ALGS has seen players that qualify through open events go on to do well across the Pro League and LAN, so there is everything to play for. Registration for the Online Open is OPEN NOW. So, assemble your squad and get ready to test your skills against the best on the path to the Pro League and beyond.

Pro League

The Pro League is the heartbeat of the ALGS, bringing together the world’s top teams for season-long competition across two splits in Year 6. Performance in the Pro League determines qualification for each split’s Playoffs and plays a central role in the race for ALGS Championship Points.

For each Pro League split, 30 teams in each region — Americas, EMEA, APAC North, and APAC South — will compete in a triple-round-robin format, followed by a Match-Point format Regional Finals. Pro League Split 1 will see 22 teams per region receive direct invitations based on prior results, with the remaining eight spots filled by teams qualifying through the ALGS Online Open.

Across both Pro League splits, teams will be competing for a share of the $500k USD prize money and crucial Championship Points.

Pro League Split 1 will qualify teams for the ALGS Split 1 Playoffs, and Pro League Split 2 will then qualify teams for the ALGS Split 2 Playoffs.

With Championship Points on offer across both online and LAN events, that means every Pro League match truly matters for the race to Sapporo.

Pro League Split 1 begins April 4–5, 2026, with more details to follow on algs.ea.com ahead of opening weekend.

Challenger Circuit and Split 2 Pro League Qualifier

Open competition continues to power the ALGS ecosystem in Year 6, with two Challenger Circuit splits running alongside the Pro League. The Challenger Circuit offers aspiring teams a direct pathway into top-tier ALGS competition, enabling new talent to prove themselves through exceptional performance.

Each split of the Challenger Circuit will feature four open qualifier weekends, giving teams multiple opportunities to compete and earn all-important Challenger Circuit points.  In Split 1, Challenger Circuit events will take place on April 11–13, April 25–27, May 23–25, and June 6–8, 2026. The winner of each qualifier in each region will earn a direct spot in the Pro League Qualifier, with the next four top teams per region, based on cumulative points across all four qualifiers, also advancing to the PLQ.

Following Pro League Split 1, these top Challenger Circuit teams will face the bottom eight teams from each region’s Pro League in the Pro League Qualifier. The PLQ will feature a 30-team double-elimination bracket, culminating in a Match Point Finals series. With places in Pro League Split 2 on the line, the PLQ stands as one of the most competitive and high-stakes moments of the season, where rising teams can earn their place among the best, and established underperforming pro teams must fight to retain their position in the Pro League.

Split 1 Playoffs at 2026 Esports World Cup

The first LAN event of ALGS Year 6 will be the Split 1 Playoffs at the Esports World Cup 2026, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (July 7–11, 2026). The Split 1 Playoffs will bring together 40 of the world’s best ALGS teams to compete on the international stage for $2,000,000 USD, Championship Points, and early momentum in the race for a spot at the ALGS Championship.

The Split 1 Playoffs will showcase a slightly adjusted format compared to last year’s Midseason Playoffs at EWC. Spanning five days, the event will feature a round-robin Group Stage, a Survivor series, and a Match Point Finals, delivering the high-stakes moments and dramatic finishes that define ALGS Playoffs events. Performance at the Split 1 Playoffs will also directly impact regional slot allocation for the Split 2 Playoffs, rewarding strong international performance at the event.

New for Year 6, the reigning Midseason Playoffs at EWC champions from Year 5, VK Gaming, will receive an automatic invitation to the Split 1 Playoffs, adding a compelling title-defense storyline to the opening LAN of the year. Details on tickets for this event will be announced in the coming days.

Split 2 Playoffs

The second  LAN event of the year will be the Split 2 Playoffs, taking place at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, United States, from October 29–November 1, 2026. As the final LAN before the ALGS Championship, the Split 2 Playoffs represent the last opportunity for teams to secure major prizing, crucial Championship Points, and momentum heading into the year-end Championship.

The Split 2 Playoffs will once again feature 40 of the world’s top ALGS teams, competing on the international stage for $2,000,000 USD, Championship Points, and POI draft positioning ahead of the Last Chance Qualifier and Championship.

Spanning four days, the Split 2 Playoffs will begin with a round-robin Group Stage, followed by a double-elimination bracket, and will culminate in a Match Point Finals series.

With the Championship looming and limited opportunities remaining to secure qualification, the Split 2 Playoffs stand as one of the most consequential events of the Year 6 calendar. Stay tuned for more information on tickets.

Last Chance Qualifier

The Last Chance Qualifier returns in November 2026 as the final path to the ALGS Championship. Bringing together top Challenger Circuit teams from Split 2 and all Pro League teams still chasing qualification, the LCQ offers one last opportunity to secure a spot at the Championship. The event will feature a 40-team double-elimination tournament, culminating in a Match Point Finals series, with the top two teams from each region advancing to the ALGS Championship.

The LCQ has proved one of the most intense competitions across the ALGS, with teams giving their all for a chance at the Championship. Expect unforgettable moments, and career defining outcomes.

Championship

Once again, Year 6 will culminate with the ALGS Championship, which is returning to Sapporo, Japan, for the third consecutive year. The last two Championships held at the DAIWA HOUSE PREMIST DOME have been unmissable, and this event will be no different. 

The Championship will bring together 40 of the best teams from across the Americas, EMEA, APAC North, and APAC South, competing for the ALGS Year 6 Championship title and a share of the $2,000,000 USD prize pool. As the pinnacle event of the year, the Championship represents the final test of consistency, resilience, and performance after a year-long global competition.

The event will once again feature the signature ALGS three-stage LAN format, beginning with a Group Stage, followed by a Double Elimination Bracket, and culminating in a Match Point Finals series on Championship Sunday.

Teams can qualify for the Championship through two paths. Thirty-two spots will be earned through ALGS Championship Points, accumulated via Pro League and Playoffs results throughout the year. The remaining eight Championship teams will be decided at the Last Chance Qualifier, where the top two teams from each region will secure the final places in Sapporo.

Stay tuned for more information on tickets and on-site experiences. We can’t wait to welcome players and fans back to Sapporo to crown the next ALGS Champions.

ALGS Year 6 Calendar

The future of the ALGS has never been brighter, and we are delighted to share the entire ALGS Year 6 Calendar, including the unveiling of the dates and locations of all three LAN events. 

For ALGS Year 6 Official Rules, see here.

Online Open:

• Qualifier #1 (February 28 - March 2, 2026)

• Qualifier #2 (March 7-9, 2026)

• Qualifier #3 (March 14-16, 2026)

• Qualifier #4 (March 21-23, 2026)

Pro League Split 1

• Online (April 5 - June 15, 2026)

Challenger Circuit Split 1

• CC #1 (April 11-13, 2026)

• CC #2 (April 25-27, 2026)

• CC #3 (May 23-25, 2026)

• CC #4 (June 6-8, 2026)

Split 1 Playoffs at 2026 Esports World Cup

• Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (July 7-11, 2026)

Pro League Qualifier

• Online (July 24-26, 2026)

Pro League Split 2

• Online (August 22 - October 4, 2026)

Challenger Circuit Split 2

• CC #1 (August 22-24, 2026)

• CC #2 (September 5-7, 2026)

• CC #3 (September 26-28, 2026)

• CC #4 (October 10-12, 2026)

Split 2 Playoffs at Orleans Arena

• Las Vegas, United States (October 29 - November 1, 2026)

Last Chance Qualifier

• Online (November 20-22, 2026)

Championship at the Daiwa House Premist Dome

• Sapporo, Japan (January 28 - 31, 2027)

What’s New in ALGS Year 6?

Feedback from players, teams, and ALGS fans continues to help shape the evolution of the ALGS. For Year 6, we’re introducing a focused set of updates designed to enhance competitive integrity, reinforce season-long structure, make the ALGS easier to follow, and strengthen the pathway from open competition all the way through to the ALGS Championship.

Legend Bans Expanded to the Challenger Circuit

Legend Bans will now be used in all Challenger Circuit series. This update extends a system already established in Pro League, Playoffs, PLQ, LCQ, and Championship competition to the amateur and semi-professional tiers of the ALGS ecosystem. Legend Bans have proven successful at rewarding players and teams who are flexible, adaptable, and able to navigate a wide range of challenges across a tournament.

By aligning competitive features across the Challenger Circuit and Pro League, ALGS Year 6 strengthens the Challenger Circuit as a true proving ground for rising teams, preparing competitors for the strategic depth, adaptability, and decision-making required at the highest levels of Apex Legends esports.

Introducing Pro League Roster Transfer Windows

In ALGS Year 6, each Pro League split will feature a single official roster transfer window, which will take place after Match Day 6. Outside of these windows, roster changes will not be permitted during the Pro League split.

These defined windows are designed to promote greater roster stability, reduce mid-season disruptions, and provide fans with clearer, more consistent team identities, making roster storylines easier to follow throughout the year and deepening the connection between teams and fans.

Minimum Match Requirements for Championship Points

Players must compete in a minimum of 12 Pro League matches with a team for their Championship Points to count toward that team’s total. For LAN events, players must also compete in at least 12 matches to earn Championship Points from that event.

This update ensures that Championship Points more accurately reflect a player’s contribution to their team throughout the year, reinforcing competitive integrity and consistency across the ALGS.

Revised APAC South Pro League Competition Schedule

The APAC South Pro League will return to a ten-day broadcast schedule per split, eliminating doubleheader match days. This change reflects direct feedback from players in the region and is designed to improve competitive conditions, reduce fatigue, and deliver a more consistent broadcast schedule for fans.

As we turn the page on an unforgettable Year 5, on behalf of the ALGS team, EA, and Respawn, we want to thank every player, team, partner, and fan who continues to make the ALGS special.

GL HF!

The innovations don’t stop there as Apex Legends also delivers Respawn Beacons, one-time use locations where defeated teammates can be revived, a contextual Ping communication system that allows players to call out enemies, weapons, locations and more with the push of a button, and an intelligent inventory system which automatically attaches gear and equipment to the appropriate weapons once players pick them up. All together it creates a battle royale experience unlike any other, complete with Respawn’s commitment to top-notch quality and fun.

Apex Legends is now available on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC.