Electronic Arts (EA) and Respawn Entertainment have outlined the structure for the sixth year of the Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS), confirming a three-event global LAN circuit and a total prize pool of $7 million. The Year 6 roadmap introduces several format adjustments, including defined roster transfer windows following the conclusion of the record-selling Year 5 Championship in Sapporo.
The season will feature three major LAN events, each with a $2 million prize pool. The competitive calendar begins with the Split 1 Playoffs at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in July 2026. The Split 2 Playoffs will be held at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, USA in October 2026, with the season culminating at the ALGS Championship in Sapporo, Japan in January 2027. The format returns to a split-playoff structure, with Championship Points accumulated across online and LAN events determining qualification for the final championship.
“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.”
New rules for Year 6 focus on competitive structure. Official roster transfer windows will be implemented during each Pro League split to limit mid-season changes. Players must also compete in a minimum of 12 matches for their team to earn Championship Points from an event. Furthermore, the Legend Bans system will be expanded from the Pro League to include the amateur Challenger Circuit.
Daniel Suarez, Studio General Manager at Respawn, commented on the ecosystem’s development, stating, “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.”
The path to the top tier begins with the ALGS Online Open, a series of four open qualifiers starting on 28 February 2026. Successful teams will progress to the Pro League, where they will compete for prize money and Championship Points. The Challenger Circuit runs parallel, with top teams advancing to a Pro League Qualifier (PLQ) to compete for a spot in the second split. A Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) in November 2026 will determine the final teams for the Championship.
The full schedule for ALGS Year 6 is as follows: Online Open (Feb-Mar 2026); Pro League Split 1 (Apr-Jun 2026); Split 1 Playoffs, Riyadh (Jul 2026); Pro League Split 2 (Aug-Oct 2026); Split 2 Playoffs, Las Vegas (Oct-Nov 2026); Last Chance Qualifier (Nov 2026); Championship, Sapporo (Jan 2027).
The ecosystem around the ALGS continues to attract significant partnership interest. The ALGS Year 5 Championship in Sapporo has secured commercial support from over ten partners. This includes global technology firms such as Google Play, Sony INZONE, and Razer, alongside local Japanese partners like the City of Sapporo, Hokkaido Electric Power Company, and retailer BEAMS.
In a recent year-end reflection, Monica Dinsmore elaborated on the company’s focus on sustainability and cultural relevance in its esports portfolio, directly citing the ALGS Championship in Japan and EA’s role in the Esports World Cup as key examples. Her insights on the year’s developments can be read in the related article, “Reflections 2025: Monica Dinsmore, Head of Esports at EA“.
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