We have some Ignite 2026 news to share! If you're playing this year, be sure to check out the full post.
Guangzhou, China and Los Angeles, California, United States, Jan 14, 2026 – Marvel Games and NetEase Games have announced that Ignite 2026 will mark the official start of the Marvel Rivals Professional League for the award-winning and critically acclaimed Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter that lets players assemble an ever-evolving all-star squad of Super Heroes and Super Villains battling with unique powers across a dynamic lineup of destructible maps from across the Marvel Multiverse. In 2025, Marvel Rivals Esports successfully expanded its competitive landscape through the Ignite Series, a global circuit featuring four thrilling seasons, alongside impactful in-game competitions such as the Marvel Rivals Championship. In 2026, this new era will be further elevated by the introduction of a Partner Teams Program, designed to ensure sustainable growth and deeper competitive integrity. The total annual prize pool for Marvel Rivals Ignite 2026 will be uncapped up to $3 million USD.
The 2026 Marvel Rivals Esports season will be built around three core competitive stages and feature two international LAN events. A significant new addition is the preseason, which will take place in April. The season will then unfold with Stage 1 running from May to June, followed by the Mid-Season Finals in August. Stage 2 will take place from September to October, culminating in the Grand Finals in late November. The 2026 Marvel Rivals Esports Pro League will feature four premier regions: AMERICAS, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), PACIFIC and CHINA.
Starting in 2026, nearly every regional Ignite Series tournament and the Mid-Season Finals will serve as a qualifier for the Marvel Rivals Grand Finals. League points will be awarded based on final placements in Stage 1, the Mid-Season Finals, and Stage 2. Teams can secure their spot at the global finals by either winning the Stage 2 Playoffs or finishing near the top of the annual league leaderboard.
To further enhance competition and maintain an open ecosystem, Marvel Rivals Esports is introducing a Promotion/Relegation system. This provides a clear path for aspiring teams worldwide to enter the professional league. Teams can earn points through the Marvel Rivals Championship 2026 (MRC 2026), which means that at the Mid-Season Finals and at the end of the 2026 season, top-performing MRC teams will have the opportunity to compete for a league spot against the League teams.
In 2026, NetEase is collaborating with elite organizations across regions to launch the groundbreaking Marvel Rivals Esports Partner Teams Program, establishing a solid foundation for global competitive play. Selected partner teams will share revenue from in-game team-themed content and receive comprehensive support—creating a sustainable environment for long-term competitive development. Applications are open to qualified organizations worldwide, with submissions closing on Jan 15, 2026.
For full rules, details and schedules on the Marvel Rivals Professional League, please visit the official site.
The official broadcast of Marvel Rivals Ignite will be available on the following live-streaming platforms:
YouTube | Twitch
For specific region live-streaming, please check below:
AMER | EMEA | ASIA | OCE | JP
Stay up to date on all things @RivalsEsports across our official social channels.
