NetEase Games has selected 12 founding partner teams for Marvel Rivals Ignite 2026, formalising the competitive structure for the forthcoming season. The global esports circuit will feature 48 lineups competing across multiple regions for a share of over $3 million in guaranteed prize money, with partner organisations receiving relegation protection, priority access to major events, and in-game team bundles

The 2026 Ignite partner lineup comprises established esports organisations and new entrants. Virtus.pro returns following its victory at the 2025 Ignite Grand Finals. 100 Thieves re-enters the competitive scene as a partner organisation. FlyQuest, Sentinels, and NAVI join as regional representatives, while Gen.G and REJECT maintain Asia’s presence in the program. Team Heretics, Spacestation Gaming, and TSM appear as new partner entries, alongside collaborative lineups Liquid Citadel and NRG Shock.

Global Esports Industry Week (GEIW) will return in 2026 with a bigger and bolder edition, taking place across 18–21 June in Cologne, Germany, alongside IEM Cologne. The schedule and details about ticket sales are available in this link.

Sentinels has indicated via social media that it is returning to competition following a brief hiatus, aligning with its partner status.

The Ignite 2026 competitive calendar introduces a structured seasonal format running across multiple regions. Partner teams are guaranteed participation in the Ignite Mid-Season Finals and Grand Finals under the new framework. NetEase has outlined plans to consolidate Asia and Oceania into a single Pacific competition group, while preserving open qualifier routes into professional play. The publisher has also confirmed the Marvel Rivals Professional League will debut in 2026, adding regional stages and expanded seasonal layers to the ecosystem.

ENVY, a previous contender in the Marvel Rivals scene, does not appear among the 12 partner organisations. Mike Rufail, owner of ENVY, addressed the organisation’s absence following the announcement: “To clear up any confusion, Envy did not apply for Marvel Rivals partnership this year. As we rebuild, we are taking on less risk, but plan to continue to expand in the future. We love the game, but could not justify fielding a team this season based on the current partnership structure,” he wrote on X.

Further details regarding broadcast talent, format specifications, and the full event schedule are anticipated ahead of the Spring 2026 season start.

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