Honor of Kings World Cup 2026 Kicks Off July 30 at Esports World Cup Paris
In a nutshell
- Honor of Kings World Cup 2026 kicks off July 30 in Paris, featuring 20 elite teams.
- First‑ever cross‑title showdown between Honor of Kings and Arena of Valor.
- Teams battle for a $3 million prize pool, with the Grand Finals set for August 8.
Level Infinite has announced that Honor of Kings World Cup (KWC at EWC26) is set to ignite the global esports stage on July 30, 2026, as part of the Esports World Cup in Paris, France.
For the first time, the tournament will unite elite teams from both Honor of Kings and Arena of Valor, creating a landmark cross‑title battle.
Cross‑Title Format and Tournament Patch
KWC at EWC26 will be played on a custom tournament patch built on Honor of Kings Season 15. This version unlocks a massive roster of 111 playable heroes, giving teams unprecedented strategic depth, ban‑pick flexibility, and the chance to craft never‑before‑seen team compositions.
Global Representation
The tournament expands its international footprint, welcoming teams from India, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Taiwan region, alongside established powerhouses from China, Brazil, Europe, and Southeast Asia. This makes KWC at EWC26 one of the most globally diverse MOBA competitions to date.
Teams and Prize Pool
A total of 20 teams will compete for the lion’s share of a $3 million USD prize pool. Notable contenders include:
- AG.AL (Title Defender)
- Buriram United Esports (RPL 2026 Summer)
- Team Flash (AOG Spring 2026)
- Blacklist International, BOOM Esports, Titan Esports Club (Philippine Kings League)
- Virtus.pro, Nongshim RedForce, S8UL Esports, Revenant XSpark and more
Honor of Kings World Cup 2026 Tournament Format
The competition runs from July 30 to August 8, with three stages:
- Play‑in Stage: 8 teams, BO3 double elimination, Global Ban & Pick.
- Group Stage: 16 teams, BO3 double elimination, Global Ban & Pick.
- Playoffs: 8 teams, BO7 single elimination, featuring the high‑stakes Ultimate Battle draft mode.
The Grand Finals will take place on August 8, closing the event with a best‑of‑7 showdown.
