The Honor of Kings (HoK) World Cup 2026 is set to debut a cross-title competitive format at the Esports World Cup 2026, bringing together top teams from both Honor of Kings and Arena of Valor (AoV).
Scheduled from July 30 to August 8 in Riyadh, the tournament will feature 20 teams competing for a $3 million prize pool, marking a significant expansion in both format and global representation.
Cross-title format merges HoK and AoV ecosystems
KWC 2026 will integrate teams from both ecosystems into a single competitive environment, with organizers confirming that Arena of Valor heroes will be included in the official tournament patch.
This creates a shared meta across both titles, forcing teams to adapt beyond their native game systems. Announcement of characters to be integrated from AoV to HoK are expected on a latter date.
20-team field spans major global leagues
KWC 2026 will feature 20 teams qualified across multiple regional circuits, reflecting the global reach of both HoK and AoV ecosystems.
China’s King Pro League (KPL) will send two teams, including defending champions AG.AL International, while Indonesia Kings Laga, Philippine Kings League, and MY Honor of Kings League will each contribute three teams. Brazil’s CHOKBR and the Honor of Kings Major League will each have two representatives.
India will also field two teams through its dedicated KWC qualifier, while Arena of Valor circuits will be represented by invited teams. Thailand’s RoV Pro League, Vietnam’s Arena of Glory (Vietnam), and the Garena Challenger Series for Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau will get one slot each.
Three-stage format set for Riyadh showdown
KWC 2026 will unfold across three stages, starting with the Play-ins, where eight teams are split into two groups of four. These matches will follow a best-of-three, double-elimination format using Global Ban & Pick, with the top two teams from each group advancing.
The Group Stage will feature 16 teams divided into four groups of four, again using a best-of-three, double-elimination system. The top two teams from each group will move on to the playoffs.
The Playoffs will bring together the final eight teams in a single-elimination bracket. Matches will be played in a best-of-seven format, with the third-place match set as a best-of-five. The stage will retain Global Ban & Pick while introducing the “Ultimate Battle” system for deciding games.
What this means for mobile MOBA esports
The introduction of a cross-title format marks a significant shift in both HoK and AoV competition. By merging the two titles into a unified competition, KWC 2026 strengthens its push toward a consolidated global ecosystem while expanding into new regions such as India and Brazil.
This aims to raise the skill ceiling, placing greater emphasis on adaptability, drafting flexibility, and cross-title knowledge.
More information about the KWC will be released as the tournament date nears.
