The Xbox Game Pass has officially unveiled its May 2026 Wave 1 lineup, and it is bringing a mixed batch of some AAA blockbusters along with indie regulars and other exciting titles. The list of titles is in line with their strategy to bring diverse gaming titles for a fraction of the price without any change in the gameplay experience.
It goes without saying that the highlight of the Pass will be the launch of Forza Horizon 6 on May 19, which will be a day-one release. Set in Japan, the game was one of the highly anticipated titles that found its place on the wishlist of many.
With a plethora of titles, the pass will be worth the price, but the highlight is clearly Forza Horizon 6, which is coming as a Day-One release. Goes without saying that May should be arguably the most successful month for the Game Pass, and if they continue to add such value in the coming months, nothing can stop it from increasing subscriptions rapidly.
A newly discovered game-breaking bug in Counter-Strike 2 is granting players wallhacks by exploiting certain in-game mechanics, and it has reportedly made its way into Premier and FACEIT matches, raising concerns about the competitive integrity of the Valve shooter.
This new CS2 exploit enables players to use the grenade camera, typically restricted to practice games, during live matches, effectively giving them wallhacks and letting them see enemies through walls.
The bug in question can be easily replicated in most game modes, including Competitive, Premier, and potentially even FACEIT.
CS2 Players Discover New Wallhack Bug
The new CS2 wallhack works by leveraging a set of console commands that are normally locked to practice modes, activating them through Steam launch options.
By entering specific commands such as sv_cheats true and sv_grenade_trajectory_prac_pipreview true alongside several others, players can force the grenade practice camera to activate in competitive matches where it should be completely disabled otherwise.
The full list of commands needed to execute the exploit is already circulating publicly, meaning any bad actor can abuse it to gain unfair wallhacks in ranked matches.
According to several recent reports, the exploit works across all competitive game modes, including Premier and FACEIT. That being said, readers are strongly advised not to replicate this bug, as doing so could easily result in a permanent ban.
It’s still unclear why this exploit works in CS2, given that commands like sv_cheats are server-sided. Many fans believe the bug stems from the Animgraph 2 update, and the timing lines up perfectly as the first instances were reported shortly after the update went live.
While most bugs involving Animgraph 2 have been swiftly fixed by Valve, at the time of writing, this wallhack exploit in CS2 still remains unpatched.
The latest Counter Strike 2 May Valve Regional Standings or VRS update is finally here, and it will determine the teams that will be getting the invitation to the two highly anticipated Premier Counter-Strike 2 tournaments during the summer player break.
Key Tournaments Decided by May VRS Rankings
The updated standings will affect the teams getting an invitation to the DraculaN Season 7 set to take place between 23rd and 28th June. 14 slots would be assigned as per the latest rankings, and given the size of the prize pool, the qualification has suddenly become more attractive than before.
Following the conclusion of this event, XSE Pro League Season 26 is lined up with $1 million waiting to be taken between 29th June and 12th July, the participants of which will be by the latest VRS.
Rank
Team
Region
Points
1
Vitality
EU
2081
2
Natus Vincere
EU
1885
3
Falcons
EU
1823
4
FUT
EU
1808
5
Spirit
EU
1807
6
Astralis
EU
1800
7
The MongolZ
AS
1791
8
PARIVISION
EU
1747
9
Aurora
EU
1742
10
FURIA
AM
1730
11
MOUZ
EU
1729
12
G2
EU
1673
13
GamerLegion
EU
1566
14
Legacy
AM
1562
15
3DMAX
EU
1552
16
B8
EU
1547
17
paiN
AM
1532
18
Monte
EU
1529
19
9z
AM
1508
20
HEROIC
EU
1482
21
BetBoom
EU
1470
22
FaZe
EU
1460
23
BIG
EU
1445
24
M80
AM
1416
25
Alliance
EU
1413
26
Ninjas in Pyjamas
EU
1411
27
MIBR
AM
1402
28
Nemesis
EU
1394
29
EYEBALLERS
EU
1383
30
SINNERS
EU
1379
Why the May VRS Update Is Crucial
The May standings would be the final ones to be released before we walk into the Cologne Major. These standings will determine who gets to be at these events before the season concludes, and given the big prize pool these events are offering, one can assume that more teams will aim to qualify.
While many teams might choose to skip it, points earned in these events carry over to the next season, where they might play a crucial role in qualifying for other events, but most importantly, the Majors.
PGL returns to Kazakhstan for the second time with 16 CS2 teams set to compete at the BARYS Arena in Astana. The event runs from May 9 to 17, 2026, and carries a total prize pool of $1,600,000 split equally between player share and club share.
Six of the 16 teams carry a top-ten VRS ranking. Several others fill the field after qualifying through regional circuits.
Teams at PGL Astana 2026
Falcons and Spirit hold the highest VRS ranks among all participants. The full team list is:
Group 1 (seeded): FURIA, Aurora, Falcons, Spirit, PARIVISION, The MongolZ, MOUZ, G2
Group 2 (unseeded): 9z, Monte, HEROIC, Gentle Mates, magic, Fisher College, K27, The Huns
The event has a notable debut angle. Karrigan plays his first tournament under the Falcons banner. Over at MOUZ, jL and xelex both make their debut for the organization after joining from separate teams ahead of this event.
Two Mongolian teams, The MongolZ and The Huns, feature in the same bracket. The MongolZ sit at VRS rank 8, while The Huns come in at rank 111.
Format
PGL Astana 2026 follows the standard PGL structure used at previous events. The group stage runs as a five-round Swiss system with all 16 teams. The top eight advance to a single-elimination playoff bracket, starting from the quarter-finals.
Playoff matches are played in front of a live crowd at the BARYS Arena. The grand final is a best-of-five. Before the final, a third-place decider opens proceedings on the last day of the event.
Schedule and Opening Matches
The group stage begins on May 9, 2026. Here are the eight opening matchups:
Time (local)
Match
07:00
Aurora vs. HEROIC
07:00
G2 vs. Fisher College
10:00
MOUZ vs. Gentle Mates
10:00
The MongolZ vs. magic
13:00
Falcons vs. K27
13:00
Spirit vs. The Huns
16:00
FURIA vs. Monte
16:00
PARIVISION vs. 9z
IEM Atlanta 2026 runs at the same time as PGL Astana. This is why several top-ranked teams are absent from the Astana lineup. Teams like Vitality and Natus Vincere, who sit at VRS ranks 1 and 2, are not attending.
Krafton India has officially revealed all 64 invited teams for the Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series 2026, along with their complete five-player rosters. The tournament kicked off on May 6, 2026, and runs through to the Grand Finals in Jaipur from June 19 to June 21.
This is the first BMPS to cap the field at 64 teams. Previous editions went as high as 96. Every team in this roster earned their spot based on rankings from BMPS 2025, BGMS, BGIS, and the India Rising Series. No open qualifier path this year, so the list is a direct read of where the Indian BGMI scene stands right now.
Here is every team and every player, in full.
BMPS 2026: Key Tournament Details at a Glance
Detail
Info
Tournament
Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series 2026
Start Date
May 6, 2026
Grand Finals
June 19–21, 2026, Jaipur Convention Center
Teams
64 invited
Prize Pool
₹2 crore (subject to increase)
EWC Slots
2 slots at Esports World Cup 2026, Riyadh
Format
Qualifiers → Survival → Semis → Last Chance → Grand Finals
All 64 teams start in the Qualifiers stage, which runs from May 6 to May 31. They are split into four groups: A, B, C, and D — each with 16 teams. Seeding is based on prior tournament performance.
Each team plays 24 matches across four rounds. After every round of six matches, teams move up or drop based on a Promotion and Relegation system. The top four from Groups B, C, and D get promoted upward. The bottom four from Groups A, B, and C get relegated.
At the end of Qualifiers, the top 8 teams from Group A go straight to the Grand Finals. The bottom 8 of Group D are eliminated.
The Survival Stage runs from June 2 to June 5. Thirty-two teams compete in a round-robin. Only the top 8 progress to Semifinals.
Semifinals run from June 9 to June 12. Twenty-four teams clash in a double round-robin. The top 6 go directly to the Grand Finals. Teams ranked 7th to 22nd get one more shot.
The Last Chance Stage is June 13 to June 14. Sixteen teams play 12 matches. Only the top 2 advance to fill the final Grand Finals spots.
The Grand Finals is a 16-team event across three days, six matches per day. The team with the highest cumulative points wins the BMPS 2026 title and a direct Esports World Cup 2026 slot.
BMPS 2026: All 64 Teams and Full Rosters
Teams 1–16
#
Team
P1
P2
P3
P4
P5
1
iQOO SOUL
Nakul
Goblin
Joker
Legit
Thunder
2
Godlike Esports
Manya
Admino
Spower
Saumay
GodZ
3
iQOO RNTX
TraceGod
Ninja
Pain
Proton
Sukuna
4
iQOO 8BIT
Juicy
Sarang
Shubh
Skipz
Shorty
5
Team Apex Gaming
Jonathan
Jelly
Hydro
KioLmao
Harsh
6
Wyld Fangs
Sensei
Goten
Spraygod
Kanha
Sam999
7
iQOO RGE
Roman
Levi
Lovish
Pro
Sahil
8
iQOO TT
Manty
Justy
AimGod
Reaper
MrIGL
9
iQOO Orangutan
Aaru
AK
Wizzgod
Attanki
Prem
10
Victores Sumus
Owais
Venom
ScaryJod
Mafia
Paritosh
11
K9 Esports
Saumraj
Snowjod
Tauras
Smoker
Stranger
12
Divine Gaming
Omega
Slug
NinjaBoi
Knight
Amit
13
Madkings
ShadowOG
Clucthgod
Simp
Troye
Nobi
14
4TR Official
Anonymous
Viper
Arther
Rapido
Flex
15
NoNx Esports
Aman
Syrus
Stunner
Hexy
DGBot
16
AutoBotz Esports
Areeb
Lobster
Ralphie
Eggy
FanOP
Teams 17–32
#
Team
P1
P2
P3
P4
P5
17
Welt Esports
Gokul
Shyam
Poko
Dragon
Rico
18
Rising Esports
Beardbaba
Yuva
Fox
Foul
Ezol
19
Learn From Past
Honey
Yash
Maxx
JD Gaming
Ryu
20
Genesis Esports
Gravity
HunterZ
Viper
Fury
ZAP
21
Vasista Esports
Hector
Rony
Beast
Aimbot
Dionysus
22
Nebula Esports
Aadi
Phoenix
Knowme
Kratos
Arjun
23
Meta Ninza
Shadow
Fierce
Apollo
Auxin
Javin
24
Myth Official
Detrox
Daddy
Aryton
Harshil
Lucifer
25
Vanguard Esports
Dreams
Beast
Veyron
Anuj
Aryzen
26
LSD x GOC Esports
Shadow
Kalaan
Spy
Evil
Afu
27
Troy Tamilan Esports
Ayden
Hesperos
Lens
Maxioso
Jazzy
28
Jaguar Esports
Bhaalu
Shogun
Avnish
Avanza
Pixie
29
Quantam Spark
Scout
Yashu
Master
Archit
Daksh
30
True Rippers
Punk
Omega
Shayan
Termi
—
31
NAQSH Esports
Pmwi IGL
Owen
iNF God
Executor
SkillFul
32
Team H4K
Sujal
Nodi
Wizard
Ragegod
Mac
Teams 33–48
#
Team
P1
P2
P3
P4
P5
33
Higgboson Esports
Bunny
Hero
Whitetiger
Godx
Rushboy
34
Windgod Esports
Infinity
Ryzen
Kyzer
Probot
Rio
35
Team Ax
Aryan
Raiden
Devotee
Pro
Syrax
36
Rapid Chaos
Flash
Psycho
Fragger
Toxic
Dhruv
37
Bloody Sweet Esports
Wanted
Kalyug
Kris
Fraggernub
Dope
38
Gods Reign
Neyo
Justin
Delta
AquaNox
Destro
39
Godsent Esports
Junaid
Fraggy
Levii
Huntro
Revenge
40
Esport Social
Joyesh
Badop
GyroGod
MannyJod
Superman
41
Oops Official
Raix
Element
Reaper
Affu
Zentrix
42
T7xOrion Esports
Cabeza
Mudit
Fantom
Firoo
Reverse
43
7Gods Esports
Moksh
Vishu
Ninja
Rexboy
Ninju
44
Riotnationz
Sunoj
Punk
ADI
Eezy
Dollor
45
Santa Esports
Alpha
Adonis
Punisher
Coffin
Bandit
46
HAD X
Cypher
Ceazer
Rishi
Jaxx
Hope
47
7 Ace x TRB
7AceCoderTrb
7AceKraxxTrb
7AceAmmyjodTrb
7AceGonuTrb
7AceRolexTrb
48
ThunderGod
AbhiTDR
FraggerTDR
Clozy9TDR
IcyTDR
RamboTDR
Teams 49–64
#
Team
P1
P2
P3
P4
P5
49
Ares Esports
Error
Bijoy
Knuckle
Clutch
Deadplayer
50
Likhita Esports
Daniel
Inferno
Starboy
FusionX
Zemo
51
SomeOnes Dreams
Dizzy
Ghostface
Iscream
Karan
Goten
52
Team Doxy
Doxy
Unq
DeathGod
YepezZz
BeasTboyy
53
Phoenix Esports
Arnav
Frenzy
Vengeance
Eclipse
Faith
54
Mysterious 4
Goku
Naman
Noob
Henry
Krishna
55
Zero Ark
Morty
Pain is Live
Chandan
Sarwar
JatinOG
56
Blink Esports
Mayank
Professor
Hardik
Jayesh
Nexus
57
Jaapi Esports
Dreams
Catalyist
SKOP
Exploser
Ghost
58
Godsent Legions
ToxicOp
Harsh
Master
Emperor
Skepp
59
Team Flying
WhyBro1
Jatt
notKnowme
Hunter
Cobra
60
Dragon Claw
Tapgod
Chokeboy
ViperBolte
Arto
Harshu
61
Empire Original
Norm4n
Commando
WarBoy
ToNy
Shooter
62
GENxFM
Bunny14
Damuuu78
Dipop
Ghost
Mogali
63
Team Versatile
Smoker
Keshu
Rexx
Clix
Spartan
64
Redxross
Aman
ARMXN
Lucifer999
SuperB
Zeref
Teams to Watch at BMPS 2026
iQOO Soul enter as BGIS 2026 champions. Their roster of Nakul, Goblin, Joker, Legit, and Thunder has been the most consistent unit in Indian BGMI over the past year.
Team Apex Gaming are the most talked-about new entry. Jonathan departed Godlike Esports in April 2026 and built a fresh squad with Jelly, Hydro, KioLmao, and Harsh. BMPS 2026 is their debut official tournament together.
Godlike Esports arrive with a rebuilt roster following Jonathan’s exit. Manya, Admino, Spower, Saumay, and GodZ now carry the flag for one of the biggest org brands in Indian BGMI.
Genesis Esports, who were runners-up at BGIS 2026, bring Gravity, HunterZ, Viper, Fury, and ZAP. They have been among the most consistent finishers in the Indian circuit and enter BMPS 2026 with momentum.
iQOO Orangutan hold the top position on Krafton India’s Global Points table heading into this event. Their five-player unit of Aaru, AK, Wizzgod, Attanki, and Prem is one of the most experienced lineups in the field.
BMPS 2026 Stage-by-Stage Schedule
Stage
Dates
Teams
What Happens
Qualifiers
May 6 – May 31
64
Promotion & Relegation across 4 groups
Survival
June 2 – June 5
32
Round-robin, top 8 advance
Semifinals
June 9 – June 12
24
Double round-robin, top 6 advance
Last Chance
June 13 – June 14
16
12-match sprint, top 2 advance
Grand Finals
June 19 – June 21
16
LAN event, Jaipur
Prize Pool and EWC Stakes
The BMPS 2026 prize pool is set at ₹2 crore, with Krafton India confirming the amount is subject to increase as the tournament progresses. The champion secures the largest share of the cash prize along with a direct slot at the Esports World Cup 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
India holds two BGMI slots at EWC 2026. The BMPS 2026 winner claims one. How the second slot is allocated has not been officially confirmed by Krafton India, though current reporting suggests it is tied to the Global Points table across all official 2026 events.
FAQ: BMPS 2026 Teams and Roster
How many teams are playing BMPS 2026? 64 teams are participating in BMPS 2026. This is down from 96 teams in BMPS 2025. All teams are invited based on rankings from previous official Krafton India tournaments, including BMPS 2025, BGMS, BGIS, and the India Rising Series.
When does BMPS 2026 start? BMPS 2026 started on May 6, 2026. The Grand Finals run from June 19 to June 21, 2026, at the Jaipur Convention Center.
What is the BMPS 2026 prize pool? The confirmed prize pool is ₹2 crore. Krafton India has noted the amount is subject to increase.
What does the BMPS 2026 winner get? The BMPS 2026 champion wins the largest share of the ₹2 crore prize pool and a direct slot at the Esports World Cup 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
What is the format of BMPS 2026? BMPS 2026 uses a multi-stage format: Qualifiers (promotion-relegation system, 64 teams), Survival Stage, Semifinals, Last Chance, and a 16-team LAN Grand Finals in Jaipur.
Is Team Apex Gaming (Jonathan’s team) in BMPS 2026? Yes. Team Apex Gaming are confirmed participants in BMPS 2026. Jonathan leads the roster alongside Jelly, Hydro, KioLmao, and Harsh. This is the organisation’s debut appearance in BMPS.
The BGMI x Harley-Davidson collaboration is coming with the upcoming 4.4 update. Krafton has officially confirmed the crossover for PUBG and PUBG Mobile, and since BGMI mirrors its global counterpart, Indian players can expect the same content to land locally.
The highlight: the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST rolls into the battleground as an in-game vehicle, complete with its real-world bagger design and signature V-Twin styling.
What Is the BGMI x Harley-Davidson Collaboration?
Krafton, alongside PUBG Mobile publisher Level Infinite, officially announced the PUBG x PUBG Mobile x Harley-Davidson collaboration on May 4, 2026. For PUBG on PC and PUBG Mobile globally, the collab is scheduled to go live on May 13, 2026. Console players get access from May 21, 2026.
BGMI follows a two-month update cycle. The last update, version 4.3, dropped on March 19, 2026. That puts the BGMI 4.4 update squarely in May 2026, with leaks pointing to around May 21 as the expected rollout date for India. Krafton India has not officially confirmed this date yet.
The CVO Road Glide ST: What to Expect In-Game
The centerpiece of this collaboration is the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST. In the real world, it is known for its heavy bagger stance, loud V-Twin engine, and aggressive touring profile. Krafton has built the in-game version to reflect that.
According to leaks from the PUBG Mobile beta files, the Harley-Davidson is not just a cosmetic wrap on an existing bike. It is a fully upgradeable transport, built on the same leveled upgrade system used in previous vehicle collabs. The motorcycle features a distinctive design with an orange colour palette and an upgrade path that changes its appearance as players level it up.
This makes it more comparable to the BGMI Royal Enfield collab in the 4.2 update than a simple skin drop. That update brought the Continental GT 650 and Bullet 350 into the game as part of a proper vehicle partnership.
What Else Comes With the BGMI 4.4 Update
The Harley-Davidson collab is one part of a larger 4.4 patch. The update is set to bring a Mythical Ruins themed mode that redesigns parts of the Erangel map. Locations including Yasnaya Polyana, Ruins, Ferry Pier, and Mylta are expected to receive visual and structural overhauls with an ancient Roman and Greek aesthetic.
A new floating structure called the Crown’s Abode is tipped as the main hot drop for the update, replacing the floating island seen in earlier versions. Leaks also mention a Spartan’s Trial, Icarus’ Trial, and Achilles’ Trial as in-match objectives that give squads buffs and late-game rewards when completed.
On the vehicle side, a Roadster is also coming in 4.4. It is a two-seater convertible built for high-speed movement on open roads, with an automatic turbocharger mechanic.
Biker Outfits and Cosmetics Expected Alongside the Bike
Vehicle collabs in BGMI rarely arrive alone. Based on the pattern from previous partnerships, the Harley-Davidson crossover is expected to include biker-themed outfits, exclusive accessories, and limited-time event rewards tied to the collaboration.
The PUBG Mobile announcement referenced “exclusive in-game events” and themed gear alongside the vehicle. BGMI typically carries the same cosmetic content, adapted for the Indian version of the game.
Why This Collab Makes Sense for BGMI
BGMI has leaned into Indian motorcycling culture before. The Royal Enfield partnership in 4.2 was the first major two-wheeler collab for the Indian version of the game and it landed well with the player base. Harley-Davidson is a different kind of brand — it brings a global recognition and a very specific visual identity that is distinct from anything BGMI has done before.
According to Inside Sport India’s coverage of the PUBG Mobile announcement, Krafton’s positioning around this collab uses language like “legendary ride” and “ultimate status symbol.” That framing suggests the CVO Road Glide ST will be treated as a prestige vehicle within the game, not standard loot.
Harley-Davidson is also active across other gaming and motorsport ecosystems in 2026. The brand is launching a new MotoGP championship series racing at six Grand Prix events across Europe and North America this year, using race-prepared Road Glide motorcycles. That level of brand activity tends to translate into gaming partnerships happening around the same time.
BGMI 4.4 Update: Key Facts at a Glance
Detail
Info
Collab
BGMI x Harley-Davidson
Vehicle
Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST
Update Version
BGMI 4.4
Expected India Release
Around May 21, 2026 (unconfirmed)
Global PUBG Mobile Date
May 13, 2026
Theme Mode
Mythical Ruins (Erangel overhaul)
Other New Vehicle
Roadster (two-seater high-speed car)
FAQ: BGMI x Harley-Davidson Collab
What is the BGMI x Harley-Davidson collaboration? Krafton has reportedly partnered with Harley-Davidson to bring the CVO Road Glide ST motorcycle into BGMI as part of the 4.4 update. The vehicle is an upgradeable in-game transport, not just a cosmetic skin. Themed outfits and event-based rewards are also expected alongside the bike.
When does the BGMI 4.4 update release in India? Krafton India has not confirmed an official date. Based on the two-month update cycle and the global PUBG Mobile 4.4 launch on May 13, 2026, the BGMI 4.4 update is expected around May 21, 2026.
Is the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST upgradeable in BGMI? According to beta file leaks from PUBG Mobile, yes. The motorcycle has a full upgrade path that changes its appearance progressively, similar to previous vehicle collaboration models in the game.
What else is coming in BGMI 4.4? The 4.4 update includes a Mythical Ruins theme mode that reworks parts of Erangel, a new floating structure called the Crown’s Abode, in-match Trial objectives, a Roadster vehicle, and new weapons including the Panzerfaust and JS9 SMG as ground loot.
Has BGMI done motorcycle collabs before? Yes. The BGMI 4.2 update in January 2026 included a Royal Enfield collaboration, bringing the Continental GT 650 and Bullet 350 into the game.
The International Olympic Committee has put the brakes on its Esports Commission. The decision casts fresh doubt on the future of the Olympic Esports Games, the project once seen as the IOC’s bridge to younger audiences.
The news was first reported by Japanese news agency Kyodo News. According to the report, the commission’s work has been placed on hold under new IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who took office in June 2025.
What the IOC Has Done
The IOC has suspended the activities of its Esports Commission. The commission was the working group set up to plan and shape the Olympic Esports Games. With the group sidelined, the project has no clear path forward.
An anonymous source told Kyodo that the commission’s activities have “come to a close.” There has been no formal public announcement from the IOC.
Coventry’s Message to Commission Members
In late January, Coventry sent a message to commission members. She wrote that she would “take responsibility for moving this forward from here on out.”
She added: “In the next phase, we will need a more integrated approach that is firmly aligned with the overall strategy of the Olympic Movement.”
The wording suggests the IOC wants to fold any future esports work into its wider strategy rather than run it as a stand-alone unit. The Esports Commission, in its current form, appears to be over.
How the Olympic Esports Games Stalled
The Olympic Esports Games was unveiled at the Paris 2024 Olympics by then-IOC President Thomas Bach. It was framed as a way to bring competitive gaming into the Olympic Movement and reach a younger fan base. The IOC had earlier tested the waters through projects such as the Olympic Virtual Series in 2021 and the Olympic Esports Series held in Singapore in 2023.
The plan was built on a 12-year partnership with Saudi Arabia. The first edition was first set for 2025. It was then pushed to 2027 in Riyadh. On October 30, 2025, the IOC and the Saudi side agreed to end the deal.
After the cancellation, Coventry placed the project in a “Pause and Reflect” phase. The latest move suggests that pause has now turned into a full stop, at least for the original format.
Saudi Arabia Moves on With Esports Nations Cup
Saudi Arabia has not slowed down. The country is pushing ahead with the Esports Nations Cup, organised by the Esports World Cup Foundation. The event is set for November 2026 in Riyadh, with publishers such as Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft on board.
The Kyodo report points to wider financial pressure inside the IOC. The 2032 Brisbane Olympics are reportedly set to undergo a significant reduction in the number of sports. According to the report, “even the sports retained could have some of their disciplines or events cut.”
Coventry has also reportedly scrapped plans to test certain Summer Olympic sports during the 2030 French Alps Winter Games. Sources cited by Kyodo indicate the IOC will stick to the Olympic Charter, which states that “only sports practiced on snow or ice are considered winter sports.”
The picture is one of an IOC trying to streamline costs and protect its core programme. In that climate, esports does not appear to be a priority.
The Wider Esports Picture
The IOC’s retreat does not stop esports from growing elsewhere. The Asian Games, run by the Olympic Council of Asia, will be held in Japan in the coming months. The programme features titles such as League of Legends, Honor of Kings, and PUBG Mobile.
The Olympic body has also long struggled with two issues: how to handle so-called “violent” games such as Counter-Strike and other shooters, and how to work with publishers who own the intellectual property of major titles. These include Riot Games, Epic Games, Valve, and Capcom. With no shared governance model in place, the IOC has not yet found a structure that fits both sides.
What It Means for the Olympic Dream
For now, the goal of seeing Olympic medals handed out for video games is on hold. The dedicated commission is suspended. The Saudi deal is over. The “Pause and Reflect” phase has not produced a new partner.
For India and other emerging esports markets that had eyed the project, the timeline is now unclear. The country has a large competitive base, as covered in TalkEsport’s earlier feature on India’s Olympic esports prospects. With the IOC’s plans frozen, those ambitions sit in a holding pattern.
The IOC has not said whether the Olympic Esports Games will return in another form. As things stand, the project is paused, the commission is shut, and the road back is unclear.
FAQ
Has the IOC officially cancelled the Olympic Esports Games? The IOC has not made a public statement confirming a cancellation. According to Kyodo News, the activities of the Esports Commission have been put on hold, and an anonymous source said its work has “come to a close.” The original 12-year deal with Saudi Arabia ended on October 30, 2025.
Why did Kirsty Coventry suspend the Esports Commission? In a January message to members, Coventry said the next phase needs “a more integrated approach that is firmly aligned with the overall strategy of the Olympic Movement.” Reports also link the move to wider financial pressure, including planned cuts to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics programme.
What was the original plan for the Olympic Esports Games? The Olympic Esports Games was announced at Paris 2024 by then-IOC President Thomas Bach. It was based on a 12-year partnership with Saudi Arabia, with the first edition first set for 2025 and then pushed to 2027 in Riyadh.
Will esports still appear in any Olympic-linked event? The Asian Games, organised by the Olympic Council of Asia, will be held in Japan in the coming months and will feature titles such as League of Legends, Honor of Kings, and PUBG Mobile. Saudi Arabia is also running its own Esports Nations Cup in November 2026.
ESL has confirmed that ESL Pro League Season 25 will take place in Saudi Arabia, with tournament play scheduled from March 6 to 14, 2027. Teams are expected to arrive on March 4, with a media day on March 5 and departures on March 15.
This will be the first time the league has moved outside its traditional host regions of Europe, the United States, and Brazil.
Format and Team Slots
The tournament keeps the same structure as Season 24. A total of 16 teams compete on LAN, with eight advancing to the playoffs. Playoffs will be played on stage in front of a live audience.
Twelve of the 16 spots go to teams ranked 1st through 12th in the January 2027 Valve Regional Standings. The remaining four spots go to the regional winners of ESL Challenger League Season 52, covering Europe, North America, South America, and Asia-Oceania.
Seeding for the tournament will follow the February 2027 VRS publication. Teams or players banned by ESL, FACEIT, or ESIC are not eligible for invitations.
Prize Pool
The total prize pool for Season 25 is $1,250,000. That is $250,000 more than the previous season. ESL says the increase applies only to the club share of the prize money, not the player-facing portion.
Here is how the prize money breaks down:
1st place: $125,000 (player) + $240,000 (club)
2nd place: $50,000 + $160,000
3rd place: $30,000 + $130,000
4th place: $20,000 + $100,000
5th to 8th: $10,000 + $50,000 each
9th to 11th: $6,000 + $25,000 each
12th to 14th: $4,000 + $15,000 each
15th to 16th: $2,500 (no club reward)
Season 25 is part of ESL’s 2027 Pro Tour budget, which allocates over $11,450,000 for teams and players across the year.
One notable rule change for 2027. The Annual Club Incentive will now include playoff viewership in its calculation. Previously, only certain viewership figures counted. In the future, the combined average concurrent viewership across the entire tournament determines how Club Incentive points are distributed.
Modern Warfare 4 is reportedly being playtested on PlayStation 4, strongly hinting at a last-gen release for the FPS.
While not much about Modern Warfare 4 has been officially confirmed, leaks have already started surfacing on social media forums, shedding light on what fans can expect from this year’s Call of Duty.
The latest leak comes from prominent COD insider Alaix, who took to X to share a surprising claim.
According to the leaker, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 is currently being playtested on the PS4, a console that turns 13 years old this November.
Hearing that MW4 is currently being playtested on PS4 xddd
Alaix has a positive track record when it comes to leaks about upcoming Call of Duty titles, having previously datamined accurate information such as skins and upcoming updates.
Interestingly, though, this leak directly contradicts previous information from another well-known insider. Earlier, another prominent leaker in the community, ‘TheGhostOfHope’ had claimed that Modern Warfare 4 would not release on PS4 or Xbox One.
That said, the leaker didn’t confirm a last-gen release for MW4 either, later clarifying in a follow-up Tweet: “Never said it was releasing there tho, just heard that and thought it was funny af.”
Never said it was releasing there tho, just heard that and thought it was funny af https://t.co/98daeTJnEF
With the release of the highly anticipated Halo: Campaign Evolved being just around the corner, a series of new leaks are emerging on social media suggesting that Halo Studios may have even bigger plans in store for its fans.
If a recent leak from Rebs Gaming is anything to go by, the Master Chief may not be done just yet. According to a report published on Rebs’ YouTube handle, Halo Studios is reportedly working on full-fledged remakes for Halo 2 and 3, two of the most critically acclaimed and fan-favorite entries in the franchise’s history.
Rebs claims that three separate sources, including a former Halo Studios developer, have confirmed to him that the company is working on Halo 2 and 3 remakes.
“In a previous video report, I revealed that a former Halo Studios developer confirmed to me that the studio is remaking the Halo trilogy,” Rebs said in his video. “Since then, I’ve received confirmation from two more sources that Halo Studios is developing remakes of Halo 2 and Halo 3.”
What’s even more exciting is the fact that both of those remakes are reportedly already in active development. According to Rebs, the sources have already sent him proof of the Halo 2 and 3 remakes being in the works, regardless of how Campaign Evolved performs.
Given the fact that Campaign Evolved is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year with brand-new missions, new weapons, and cross-platform co-op, it’s hard to imagine Halo Studios slowing down anytime soon.
“One of my new sources has sent me proof to verify themself and that the trilogy remakes are definitely happening, regardless of how well Campaign Evolved does,” he continued. “More specifically, active development is underway on all three remakes, and the Halo 2 and Halo 3 remakes are in early development.”
Interested fans can check out the full report by Rebs below:
