TEKKEN is arguably the best fighting game in the world, and its inclusion in the Esports World Cup is a testament to its popularity. With a million dollars to play for, the tournament is set to bring 32 of the best players under one roof to give us one of the most exciting TEKKEN tournaments of the year.
Format
Set to kick off with Group Stage 1, the tournament will divide 32 players across four double-elimination brackets with 8 players in each. The top four from each group will advance to Group Stage 2, where the top four from each group will once again head to the single-elimination playoffs.
Teams
DRX
Twisted Minds
Virtus.pro
Falcons
Weibo Gaming
Team Vitality
Freecs
REJECT
VARREL
Gaimin Gladiators
Natus Vincere
FURIA
Team Liquid
Team Spirit
ROC Esports
ONIC Esports
All Gamers (AG.AL)
MOUZ
Karmine Corp
ZETA DIVISION
Ninjas in Pyjamas
Geekay Esports
RRQ
Disguised
Team Flash
GamerLegion
DRX Red
Sentinels
T1
Gen.G
The remaining slots are under contention at the LCQ, and with a few days to go, the competition is heating up already.
Schedule
Set to take place from August 4 to August 7, the main event follows the LCQs, which will determine on the LCQs that will give us all the organizations or players who will be heading to the big stage for the event.
Where to Watch
Just like all of the other Esports World Cup events, TEKKEN 8 matches will be streamed across the official YouTube and Twitch channels, with updates and highlights set to be shared on the event’s social media platforms.
With the best players and organizations in TEKKEN coming head-to-head for a $1 million prize pool, we are about to witness one of the biggest tournaments in the history of TEKKEN esports. Action is the name of the game, and no player will be holding back in their quest to lift the trophy.
KRAFTON has released the updated PMWC 2026 Event Calendar for August 2026, and the schedule looks different from what was originally announced. The PUBG Mobile World Cup 2026 now starts on August 6 with Group A, not with both groups on the same day. Group Stage and Survival Stage days have been split across alternate days, and all Grand Finals matches begin at 11:30 UTC+0 instead of the earlier expected 13:00 CEST timings. The tournament still runs from August 6 to August 16, 2026, in Paris, France.
PMWC 2026 Updated Schedule
Here is the full day-by-day schedule as per the official Event Calendar released by KRAFTON:
Date
Day
Stage
Start Time
August 6
Thursday
Group Stage: Group A
12:00 UTC+0
August 7
Friday
Group Stage: Group B
12:00 UTC+0
August 8
Saturday
Group Stage: Group A
12:00 UTC+0
August 9
Sunday
Group Stage: Group B
12:00 UTC+0
August 10
Monday
Rest Day
August 11
Tuesday
Survival Stage
12:00 UTC+0
August 12
Wednesday
Survival Stage
12:00 UTC+0
August 13
Thursday
Rest Day
August 14
Friday
Grand Finals Day 1
11:30 UTC+0
August 15
Saturday
Grand Finals Day 2
11:30 UTC+0
August 16
Sunday
Grand Finals Day 3
11:30 UTC+0
Group Stage and Survival Stage matches start at 12:00 UTC+0. Grand Finals matches start slightly earlier at 11:30 UTC+0 on all 3 days.
The key changes from the earlier announced PMWC 2026 schedule are:
Group Stage split by group per day: Earlier reports suggested all 32 teams would play on the same days. The updated calendar separates Group A and Group B across alternating days. Group A plays on August 6 and August 8. Group B plays on August 7 and August 9. This gives each group its own dedicated broadcast days, which makes scheduling and viewership significantly cleaner.
Rest days added: August 10 and August 13 are confirmed rest days. There are no matches on either of those dates. This is a change from earlier estimates that had matches running on consecutive days without breaks.
Grand Finals start time moved earlier: Grand Finals matches now start at 11:30 UTC+0 instead of 13:00 CEST (which is 13:00 UTC+2). The new time is earlier by 1.5 hours compared to what Liquipedia had listed for the Group Stage.
Survival Stage confirmed for 2 days only: The Survival Stage is locked to August 11 and August 12. 16 teams play 12 matches across those 2 days. This has not changed from the format, but the calendar now officially confirms the exact days.
PMWC 2026 Schedule in IST
For Indian fans watching GodLike Esports and Orangutan, here are the converted timings in Indian Standard Time (IST). UTC+0 is 5 hours and 30 minutes behind IST.
Stage
UTC+0 Start
IST Start
Group Stage (Aug 6, 7, 8, 9)
12:00 UTC+0
5:30 PM IST
Survival Stage (Aug 11, 12)
12:00 UTC+0
5:30 PM IST
Grand Finals (Aug 14, 15, 16)
11:30 UTC+0
5:00 PM IST
Group Stage and Survival Stage lobbies kick off at 5:30 PM IST. Grand Finals begin slightly earlier at 5:00 PM IST on all 3 days.
PMWC 2026 Format Reminder
The format itself has not changed. 32 teams compete across 3 stages.
Group Stage (August 6 to August 9): 32 teams split into Group A (16 teams) and Group B (16 teams). Each group plays 12 matches total across 2 days. The top 5 teams from each group advance directly to the Grand Finals. Teams finishing 6th to 13th go to the Survival Stage. The bottom 3 from each group are eliminated.
Survival Stage (August 11 to August 12): 16 teams play 12 matches over 2 days. The top 6 teams qualify for the Grand Finals. The bottom 10 are eliminated.
Grand Finals (August 14 to August 16): 16 teams (10 from Group Stage + 6 from Survival Stage) compete in a maximum of 18 matches across 3 days, with 6 matches per day. The Smash Rule applies on Day 3 (August 16). The first Match Point Eligible team to secure a Chicken Dinner wins the PMWC 2026 title.
India at PMWC 2026
2 Indian teams are competing at PMWC 2026. GodLike Esports, the BMPS 2026 champions, are in Group B. They play on August 7 and August 9. Orangutan are in Group A. They play on August 6 and August 8.
Has the PMWC 2026 schedule changed? Yes. KRAFTON released the official Event Calendar which splits Group Stage into alternating days by group, confirms rest days on August 10 and August 13, and sets Grand Finals to start at 11:30 UTC+0 instead of 13:00 CEST.
What time does PMWC 2026 start in India (IST)? Group Stage and Survival Stage begin at 5:30 PM IST. Grand Finals begin at 5:00 PM IST on all 3 days.
When does Group A play in the PMWC 2026 Group Stage? Group A plays on August 6 (Thursday) and August 8 (Saturday), starting at 12:00 UTC+0 (5:30 PM IST).
When does Group B play in the PMWC 2026 Group Stage? Group B plays on August 7 (Friday) and August 9 (Sunday), starting at 12:00 UTC+0 (5:30 PM IST).
When is the PMWC 2026 Survival Stage? August 11 (Tuesday) and August 12 (Wednesday), starting at 12:00 UTC+0 (5:30 PM IST).
When is the PMWC 2026 Grand Finals? August 14 (Friday), August 15 (Saturday), and August 16 (Sunday). All 3 days start at 11:30 UTC+0 (5:00 PM IST).
Are there rest days at PMWC 2026? Yes. August 10 (Monday) and August 13 (Thursday) are confirmed rest days with no matches.
Which Indian team is in Group A and which is in Group B? Orangutan are in Group A. GodLike Esports are in Group B.
Where to Watch PMWC 2026
All PMWC 2026 matches are free to watch on the following platforms:
The VALORANT Partner Program opens its first application window on August 3, 2026, and closes on August 28, 2026. Riot Games built the program to replace its old invite-only system, letting any eligible creator apply directly through the Creator Hub. It covers streamers, YouTubers, TikTok creators, and other community members who regularly make VALORANT content.
This guide covers the requirements, benefits, and how to apply once the window opens.
VALORANT Partner Program requirements
Riot has listed three main qualities it wants in applicants, as we covered earlier. The first is genuine passion for VALORANT, shown through content that looks consistent and authentic rather than one-off.
The second is a positive impact on the community, both on a creator’s own channel and on Riot’s platforms. Riot has acted on this before. In July 2026, the company suspended VALORANT streamer Ardiis from co-streaming VCT tournaments for a month, which shows how seriously conduct factors into these decisions.
Your next chapter as a VALORANT Partner starts here.
The third requirement is an active, engaged community. Riot has said follower count matters less than how much a creator’s audience actually interacts with their content. On its Creator Hub, Riot points to roughly 20 hours of streaming per month, or regular VOD and short-form posting, as a rough benchmark.
Applicants also need to be at least 18 years old at the time of application. Riot may reject applications from certain countries or regions where its services are restricted, including places affected by government sanctions or publishing agreements.
How to apply for the VALORANT Partner Program
Creators can apply through the Creator Hub at creators.riotgames.com once the window opens on August 3. Before applying, it helps to have your main VALORANT content links ready, along with a clear creator profile on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or X.
You’ll also want proof that you actively create VALORANT content and evidence of real engagement with your audience, not just subscriber numbers. Riot says it needs 2 to 4 weeks after the window closes on August 28 to process applications and check eligibility. Results arrive by email, and applicants can also track their status on the Creator Hub itself.
VALORANT Partner Program benefits
Creators accepted into the program get official support from Riot, along with practical perks. Confirmed benefits include unlocked Agents, giveaway codes, complimentary battle passes, and dedicated player support for account issues.
The program is open to creators worldwide, though Riot has said some countries may be excluded due to local restrictions. It’s currently built with short-form creators, livestreamers, and VOD-focused creators in mind.
VALORANT is the first of three games getting an open application window this year. League of Legends follows from September 1 to September 30, and Teamfight Tactics closes out the rollout from October 1 to October 30. Wild Rift’s Partner Program remains in closed beta, with Riot expecting to move it to open applications sometime in 2027.
When does the VALORANT Partner Program application open?
Applications open on August 3, 2026, and close on August 28, 2026.
How do you apply for the VALORANT Partner Program?
Apply through Riot’s Creator Hub once the application window goes live on August 3.
What is Riot looking for in applicants?
Genuine passion for VALORANT, positive conduct within the community, and an actively engaged audience.
Honor of Kings World Cup 2026 runs from July 30 to August 8, 2026, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, France, as part of the Esports World Cup 2026. The tournament brings together 20 teams from across the world for a $3 million prize pool across 3 stages: Play-Ins, Group Stage, and Playoffs. For the first time, 2 Indian teams are competing at the KWC. Revenant XSpark won the King’s Arise India Qualifier and earned a direct Group Stage spot. S8UL Esports finished runner-up and enters through the Play-Ins. AG.AL International are the defending champions from China.
Honor of Kings World Cup 2026: Schedule
Stage
Dates
Format
Play-Ins
July 30 to July 31
GSL Bo3
Group Stage Draw
July 31
Group Stage
August 1 to August 4
Bo3
Quarterfinals
August 5 to August 6
Bo7
Semifinals
August 7
Bo7
Third Place Match
August 8
Bo5
Grand Final
August 8
Bo7
Play-Ins and Group Stage run in the best-of-3 format. From Quarterfinals onward, all matches use best-of-7 except the third-place match, which is best-of-5. The Grand Final takes place on August 8 in Paris.
Honor of Kings World Cup 2026: Format Explained
The Honor of Kings World Cup 2026 runs across 3 stages.
Play-Ins (July 30 to July 31): 8 teams are divided into 2 groups in a GSL format. The top 2 teams from each group advance to the Group Stage. The remaining 4 teams are eliminated.
Group Stage (August 1 to August 4): 12 teams from regional qualifiers join the 4 Play-In qualifiers, making 16 teams total. They are split into 4 double-elimination groups. The top 2 from each group advance to the Playoffs. That leaves 8 teams in the Playoffs.
Playoffs (August 5 to August 8): 8 teams compete in a single-elimination bracket. Quarterfinals run August 5 to 6. Semifinals are on August 7. The third-place match and Grand Final both take place on August 8.
India at the Honor of Kings World Cup 2026
This is India’s first-ever double representation at the Honor of Kings World Cup. Previously, Indian teams had not qualified for this event. Both spots came through the King’s Arise India: KWC at EWC26 Qualifier, held from May 8 to May 17, 2026.
Revenant XSpark: Won the India Qualifier outright and earned a direct Group Stage placement. The roster includes Deadshot, JingTian, Candie, CallmeSenpai, Crowley, Pureman, Dino, and Degho. They skip the Play-Ins entirely and go straight into the Group Stage from August 1.
S8UL Esports: Finished runner-up in the India Qualifier and must fight through the Play-Ins first. Their KWC 2026 roster includes Meruem, Kyurem, Kong, Kaeltzy, Doofy, Xtreme, and SuHongHong. S8UL needs to finish in the top 2 of their Play-In group to reach the Group Stage.
The total prize pool for the Honor of Kings World Cup 2026 is $3,000,000. The full per-placement breakdown has not been officially announced. The Titan Slayer Bounty returns for KWC 2026 and offers up to $100,000 to any team that eliminates one of the designated Titan teams in a single match. That bounty was announced by HoK Global Esports on July 29, 2026.
Defending Champion and Title Contenders
AG.AL International won the 2025 Honor of Kings World Cup and enter Paris as the defending champions. Chinese teams have won every KWC edition to date, and AG.AL are widely considered the team to beat again.
Kuaishou Gaming won the KPL Spring 2026 and are considered the strongest challenger from China. Buriram United Esports from Thailand are historically one of the strongest teams outside China and remain a serious threat to break the Chinese winning streak. BOOM Esports from the Philippines are the top Philippine qualifier and one of Southeast Asia’s most dangerous rosters.
Where to Watch Honor of Kings World Cup 2026
All matches stream live and for free on the following platforms:
Platform
Channel
YouTube
Honor of Kings Esports (official)
YouTube
Esports World Cup (official)
Twitch
Honor of Kings Esports
Twitch
Esports World Cup
Facebook
Honor of Kings Esports
Broadcasts include multi-language commentary and player interviews. For Indian fans, match times in IST are 3.5 hours ahead of Paris (CEST). A 6:00 PM Paris match starts at 9:30 PM IST.
For a full overview of all 25 tournaments at EWC 2026 and how to get tickets for the Paris venue, see TalkEsport’s Esports World Cup 2026 complete guide.
FAQs
When is the Honor of Kings World Cup 2026? July 30 to August 8, 2026, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, France.
How many teams are at the Honor of Kings World Cup 2026? 20 teams from China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the MENA region.
Which Indian teams are at the Honor of Kings World Cup 2026? Revenant XSpark and S8UL Esports. Revenant XSpark enter directly in the Group Stage. S8UL must qualify through the Play-Ins.
Who are the defending champions at the Honor of Kings World Cup? AG.AL International from China won the 2025 edition.
What is the prize pool for the Honor of Kings World Cup 2026? $3,000,000. The Titan Slayer Bounty adds up to $100,000 per match for eliminating a designated Titan team.
Where can I watch the Honor of Kings World Cup 2026? On the official Honor of Kings Esports and Esports World Cup YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook channels. All streams are free.
What format does the Honor of Kings World Cup 2026 use? 3 stages: Play-Ins (Bo3, GSL format), Group Stage (Bo3, double elimination), and single-elimination Playoffs with Bo7 matches (Bo5 for third place).
What is the Titan Slayer Bounty at KWC 2026? A $100,000 reward offered to any team that eliminates one of the designated Titan teams in a single match during the tournament.
Free Fire MAX Booyah Pass August 2026 launched on August 1, 2026, under the theme “An Apple a Day.” Season 44 of the Booyah Pass brings apple-inspired character bundles, weapon skins, backpacks, vehicle skins, and emotes across both free and premium reward tracks. The Premium Pass costs 399 diamonds, the Premium Plus costs 899 diamonds and includes an instant 50-level boost. The pass runs through August 31, 2026. Players who held the previous month’s pass can purchase it at a discounted price of 319 diamonds.
Free Fire MAX Booyah Pass August 2026: Theme and Design
The August 2026 Booyah Pass follows an apple theme across all its cosmetics. The promo artwork shows 2 characters on a swing surrounded by apple-themed decorations. The female bundle takes its design from a red apple. The male bundle, which is the final Level 100 reward, is inspired by a green apple. Mr. Beanie also appears in the leaked artwork.
Most cosmetics in Season 44 carry red and green apple motifs with leafy details, glossy textures, and orchard accents. The design is a lighter, more vibrant direction compared to the space and cyberpunk themes of recent seasons.
Free Fire MAX Booyah Pass August 2026: All Rewards
The reward track is split into free and premium paths. Premium pass owners unlock more exclusive items, while free track players still receive select items by completing missions.
Premium Pass Rewards (Highlighted):
Level
Reward
Level 1
Female Apple-themed Costume Bundle (instant unlock on purchase)
Level 10
Apple-themed Backpack Skin
Level 20
Apple Harvest Weapon Skin
Level 30
Orchard Vehicle Skin
Level 40
Apple Petal Parachute Trail
Level 50
Apple-themed Gloo Wall Skin
Level 60
Exclusive Character Voice Line
Level 70
Apple Emote
Level 80
Premium Apple-themed Weapon Skin
Level 90
Diamond Bonus Reward
Level 100
Male Green Apple Costume Bundle (final reward)
Free Track Rewards (Select Items):
Level
Reward
Level 5
Gold Bonus
Level 15
Apple-themed Emote
Level 25
Title Badge (Orchard Champion / Fresh Pick)
Level 35
Gold Bonus
Level 50
Basic Apple Cosmetic Item
Note: These rewards are based on leaked and early access details. Garena may adjust individual items before or during the season. Always check the in-game Booyah Pass tab for the final confirmed reward list.
Free Fire MAX Booyah Pass August 2026: Price
The August 2026 Booyah Pass comes in 3 versions:
Version
Price
Benefit
Premium Pass
399 diamonds
Full premium track access
Discounted Premium (returning players)
319 diamonds
Same as above, loyalty discount
Premium Plus
899 diamonds
Full premium track + instant 50-level boost
There is also a lucky spin event reportedly running alongside the pass launch. Through this event, players may be able to win the Premium Plus version for as low as 9 diamonds, though this depends entirely on luck.
Players who do not have enough diamonds can purchase them from the in-game store before buying the pass.
How to Buy the Free Fire MAX Booyah Pass August 2026
Follow these steps to purchase the Booyah Pass:
Open Free Fire MAX on your device
Tap the Booyah Pass icon on the main screen or in the Events tab
Select the version you want to buy (Premium or Premium Plus)
Check your diamond balance and top up if needed
Tap Buy and confirm your purchase
Start completing daily and weekly missions to level up and unlock rewards
Rewards are claimed directly from the Booyah Pass tab as you reach each level.
How to Earn Booyah Pass Levels Faster
Each level requires a set amount of Booyah Pass EXP. Daily missions, weekly missions, and in-game activities all give EXP. Completing all missions consistently across the month is the most reliable way to reach Level 100 without spending extra diamonds.
Premium Plus buyers start at Level 50 automatically, which means they need to earn EXP for only the top 50 levels. This makes it much easier to claim the Level 100 Male Green Apple Bundle before the pass expires.
What Happens After Level 100?
Players who complete the pass beyond Level 100 receive Deluxe Crates as continued rewards. Leaks from the Indian server suggest these crates may contain older Elite Pass costumes and previous cosmetic collections, giving players another chance at items they missed during earlier seasons.
Free Fire MAX Booyah Pass August 2026 vs July 2026
The July 2026 Booyah Pass used the “Baaast Friends” theme and featured creature-inspired character bundles and companion cosmetics. The August 2026 “An Apple a Day” theme is a significant visual shift, moving toward a brighter, more lifestyle-oriented aesthetic compared to the creature designs of July. Both passes follow the same pricing structure and level cap.
When does the Free Fire MAX Booyah Pass August 2026 start? August 1, 2026. It runs through August 31, 2026.
What is the theme of the Free Fire MAX Booyah Pass August 2026? “An Apple a Day.” All cosmetics follow red and green apple designs, including the 2 character bundles, weapon skins, vehicle skins, and emotes.
How much does the Free Fire MAX Booyah Pass August 2026 cost? 399 diamonds for Premium. 899 diamonds for Premium Plus, which includes an instant 50-level boost. Returning players from July 2026 can get it for 319 diamonds.
What is the Level 100 reward in the August 2026 Booyah Pass? The Male Green Apple Costume Bundle is the final reward at Level 100.
What is the Level 1 reward in the August 2026 Booyah Pass? Premium Pass buyers receive the Female Red Apple Costume Bundle instantly on purchase.
Can free-to-play players get rewards from the August 2026 Booyah Pass? Yes. Free track players earn select items including gold, emotes, and title badges by completing missions without purchasing the pass.
What happens after Level 100 in the Booyah Pass? Players receive Deluxe Crates, which on the Indian server are expected to contain older Elite Pass cosmetics and previous limited collections.
Warzone EWC 2026 has kicked off in Paris, France, bringing 32 Call of Duty: Warzone squads together for the Warzone Resurgence Series Championship at the Esports World Cup. The event runs from July 30 to August 2 and carries a $1,000,000 prize pool along with valuable Club Championship points. Defending champions Twisted Minds are back to defend their title, while Team Falcons arrive as one of the favorites after back-to-back LAN wins.
Here is the full schedule, format, prize breakdown, and team list for Warzone EWC 2026.
Warzone EWC 2026 Schedule and Format
The tournament is split across three stages. The Group Stage runs from July 30 to August 1, the Survival Stage takes place on August 1, and the Match Point Finals close out the event on August 2.
In the Group Stage, the 32 teams are split into two groups of 16. Each group plays 12 matches. The top 5 teams from each group (10 teams total) move straight into the Match Point Finals. Teams that finish between 6th and 13th place in their group, 16 teams in total, drop into the Survival Stage. The rest are eliminated.
The Survival Stage is a 10-match gauntlet between those 16 teams. The top 6 finishers earn the remaining spots in the Match Point Finals, joining the 10 direct qualifiers for a final field of 16 teams.
The Match Point Finals have no fixed match limit. Once a team hits the points threshold, it becomes Match Point Eligible from the next match onward. There is no cap on how many teams can reach that status. The first Match Point Eligible team to win a match is crowned champion, and the rest are ranked by total points afterward.
Group Stage Match Schedule
Day
Matches
Maps
Day 1 (July 30)
Matches 1 to 6
Haven’s Hollow (1-2), Rebirth Island (3-4), Fortune’s Keep (5-6)
Day 2 (July 31)
Matches 7 to 12
Haven’s Hollow (7-8), Rebirth Island (9-10), Fortune’s Keep (11-12)
Both match blocks start at 9 am ET, 3 pm CEST, and 11 pm AEST.
Warzone EWC 2026 Prize Pool and Club Championship Points
The $1,000,000 prize pool is split across all 32 places, though only the top 8 finishers earn Club Championship points.
Place
Prize Money
Club Points
Champion
$250,000
1,000
2nd
$150,000
750
3rd
$100,000
500
4th
$72,000
300
5th
$55,000
200
6th
$45,000
150
7th
$35,000
100
8th
$30,000
50
Placements from 9th onward still receive prize money, decreasing from $27,000 down to $7,500, but do not add Club Championship points. The bottom 4 places do not receive a share of the prize pool.
All Warzone EWC 2026 Teams
Most of the 32 teams qualified through DreamHack events or regional qualifiers. Twisted Minds hold their spot as defending champions, while Team Falcons qualified as DreamHack Birmingham champions.
Region/Path
Teams
Defending Champions
Twisted Minds
DreamHack Birmingham
Team Falcons, Leviatan, Ravens Esports, Virtus.pro
DreamHack Atlanta
Team Orchid, G2 Esports, NOVO Esports, JD Gaming, T1
North American Qualifier
Team Vitality, For Fun Esports, Gen.G Esports, GodLike Esports, AG.AL, PBJ
LATAM North Qualifier
Fnatic, CT Gaming, FaZe Clan
LATAM South Qualifier
First Squad, New Icons
European Qualifier
Gentle Mates, Ekletyc, Ninjas in Pyjamas, CCF, Geekay Esports, KGV
MENA Qualifier
The Vicious, Stallions, Gamax Esports
APAC Qualifier
Team Heretics, Team Nemesis
Twisted Minds enter this year’s roster with Almond, Blazt, and Shifty, after Aydan moved to Gen.G and zSmit joined Team Vitality. Team Falcons field Hisoka, Newbzz, and Dongy, and go in as favorites after winning consecutive Warzone Resurgence Series LAN finals at DreamHack Birmingham and Atlanta.
Where to Watch Warzone EWC 2026
Every match streams live through official Call of Duty and Esports World Cup channels:
Over the years, the resolution at which a game is played has been an important aspect in improving comfort and consistency in a game, especially if it is a first-person shooter. When Riot released Valorant, they ensured hitboxes remained the same regardless of the resolution, unlike Counter-Strike 2, where players can stretch them by using any 4:3 resolution.
However, despite losing out on the advantage of having wider hitboxes, many Valorant players prefer playing in stretched mode for how they feel. Placebo or otherwise, playing with a stretched resolution gives players confidence when taking fights, leading to more consistent gameplay overall. The aspect ratio may be stretched, but the choice of resolution varies from player to player, with an objective decision preferable to a more subjective one.
What stretched resolution do pros use?
According to ProSettings, 1280×960, 1440×1080, and 1024×768 are the most popular stretched resolutions at the moment. With three really solid options, it is up to you which one you should opt for if 4:3 is the way you want to go.
To put it simply, you can consider our recommendation:
1024×768 – For Low-End PCs
1280×960 – For Medium-End PCs
1440×1080 – For Top-End PCs
The only difference between these resolutions is the clarity of the image. Higher resolution would give a sharper picture at the cost of performance.
With no difference in hit boxes, it comes down to you to decide if your FPS is high enough to handle the higher resolutions. Higher resolution will give you a better feel, but to what extent are you willing to sacrifice your FPS? It is a decision that comes down to you.
The PUBG Mobile 4.6 Update Beta is now live, giving selected players an early chance to test the upcoming update before its official release. As with previous beta versions, the update will be released in four testing phases, allowing developers to test new features, fix bugs, and improve performance before rolling them out globally. According to the official beta calendar, Beta 1 runs from July 30 to August 5, while the later phases will introduce new themed mode content, World of Wonder updates, Classic Mode improvements, and Metro Royale changes. Here’s everything you need to know about the PUBG Mobile 4.6 Beta.
PUBG Mobile 4.6 Update Beta Date and Schedule
Tencent has confirmed that the beta testing will take place across four different phases.
Beta Phase
Dates
Content
Beta 1
July 30 – August 5
Test server only (No new version content)
Beta 2
August 6 – August 12
Themed Mode, World of Wonder, Classic Mode updates
Beta 3
August 13 – August 20
Themed Mode, WOW updates, Classic Mode, Metro Royale
Beta 4
August 21 – August 23
Final testing with Metro Royale and Classic Mode updates
The developers have also clarified that Beta 1 does not include the new version content. Most of the upcoming features will become available starting with Beta 2.
What is PUBG Mobile Beta?
The Beta version is a separate test version of the game where selected players can try upcoming features before they are released globally.
The beta helps Tencent identify bugs, glitches, balancing issues, and performance problems. Players who report bugs through the beta server may also receive rewards on their main PUBG Mobile account.
Since the beta is limited, only players with a binding code can log in and access the test server.
Whether your old Valorant name feels outdated or you just picked a random assortment of letters as your username during a late-night install, you might find yourself wanting to change your name in Valorant. Luckily, Riot Games enables players to change their Valorant name in the matter of a few minutes, albeit with a series of restrictions.
However, unlike what you’d expect, it’s not possible to change your in-game name from inside Valorant itself, as it lives on your Riot Games account as what Riot calls your “Riot ID.” To change your name in Valorant, you’d have to change your Riot ID.
In this article, we’ll go through what you need to know to change your Valorant name, plus the rules that you’ll need to follow and a few things to watch out for.
What Is a Riot ID?
Every Valorant player has an in-game name that consists of two parts:
Game Name – the text portion that players actually recognize you by.
Tagline – a short string of characters (usually 3-5) that follows a # symbol beside your name.
Together, they form your Riot ID. The tagline makes sure that two people can use the exact same Game Name without conflict, but the full combination has to be unique.
Note that this Riot ID is separate from your account username. The account username you use to sign in to the Riot Client stays private and is never shown to other players.
How to Change Your Valorant Name
Below, we’ve listed all the steps that you need to follow to change your Valorant name:
Under the Riot ID section, you should be able to see your current Game Name and Tagline.
Click into the Game Name field and type your new desired name.
Select a new Tagline to go along with it, or just keep the same Tagline.
Hit ‘Save Changes.’
The system will then check whether that Game Name + Tagline combination is already taken. If it’s free, your Valorant name gets updated right away.
That’s it, your Valorant name should now be updated!
If you can’t see your new name in-game, then you’ll need to exit Valorant, log out of the Riot Client, and relaunch the game.
Valorant Name Change Rules
There are a handful of restrictions that Riot enforces on players when changing names:
Game Names need to fall between 3 and 16 characters.
Taglines need to have between 3 and 5 characters.
Offensive, hateful, or otherwise inappropriate language isn’t allowed, and Riot’s filter will catch most of it automatically.
You can’t include the word “Riot” anywhere in your name.
Avoid putting personal information into your Riot ID.
Impersonating Riot devs, known pro players, or other public figures isn’t allowed.
How Often Can You Change It?
Your Riot ID can only be changed once every 90 days. So once you pick a name, you’re stuck with it for three months.
That’s everything you need to know about how to change your name in Valorant. As mentioned in this article, changing your Valorant name comes down to updating your Riot ID from Riot’s account management page. While you can change your name without spending any money, you’re only limited to one name per 90 days.
So what are you waiting for? Go pick your new Game Name and Tagline that fits Riot’s rules, restart your client, and jump back into ranked with your new identity!
The Honor of Kings World Cup 2026 officially began on July 30 at the Esports World Cup in Paris, bringing together 20 teams from across the global Honor of Kings and Arena of Valor competitive scenes.
The tournament is being held at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and will run until August 8. It features a $3 million prize pool, making it one of the biggest international tournaments in the game’s esports calendar.
S8UL Represents India in Paris
Indian esports organisation S8UL Esports entered the World Cup after qualifying through the King’s Arise India tournament. Its qualification gave India a place among the world’s top Honor of Kings teams at the EWC.
S8UL was drawn into the Play-In stage alongside Influence Rage, Buriram United Esports and Team Flash. The opening Play-In matches use a best-of-three format, with the top teams progressing to the next stage.
S8UL faced Brazilian team Influence Rage in its opening match on July 30. Influence Rage won the series 2-0, putting S8UL into the lower bracket and making its next match crucial for its tournament hopes.
Global Teams Compete for a Place in the Main Stage
The Honor of Kings World Cup features teams from several major esports markets, including China, Southeast Asia, South Korea, Brazil, Europe and India.
Other notable teams in the field include Blacklist International, Nongshim RedForce, Virtus.pro, Buriram United Esports, Team Flash, Deep Cross Gaming and MIBR.LOS.
The Play-In stage runs from July 30 to July 31. Eight teams are split into two groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Group Stage.
What Comes Next for S8UL?
S8UL now needs to fight through the lower bracket to keep its Honor of Kings World Cup campaign alive. The double-elimination Play-In format gives the Indian representative another opportunity, but there is little room for error.
For Indian esports fans, S8UL’s run in Paris is an important international test. With the Honor of Kings World Cup bringing together teams from multiple regions, the tournament also provides a major stage for India’s growing mobile esports ecosystem.
The World Cup continues through August 8, when the champion will be crowned in Paris.
