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5 Best Mobile FPS Games in 2026 For Budget Phones

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Finding a shooter that doesn’t lag on a mid-range phone or burn through your monthly data is tough. If you’re gaming on a ₹15,000-₹25,000 smartphone with patchy Jio or Airtel connectivity, you need games optimized for Indian conditions, not just graphically intense ports that drain battery in 20 minutes. Here are five best mobile FPS titles available right now in India that balance competitive gameplay with real-world performance.

Top 5 Best Mobile FPS Games in 2026 For Budget Phones

5. Critical Ops

At just 600MB, Critical Ops is the lightest serious FPS on this list. The 5v5 defuse mode is straightforward, no battle royale fluff, no vehicles, just clean gunfights. The 2026 competitive roadmap includes Indian-focused tournaments, and the netcode handles 100ms ping better than most AAA ports.

Critical Ops

Best for older phones (Android 8+, 3GB RAM viable) and players tired of BR grind. Battery drain is noticeably lower than BGMI during extended sessions.

4. Standoff 2

For players wanting CS:GO-style gunplay without the Valorant Mobile wait, Standoff 2 delivers. It’s a 1.2GB download that runs offline against bots (rare for online shooters), making it ideal for Delhi Metro dead zones. The economy system, defuse maps, and spray patterns require genuine skill, there’s no auto-aim crutch here.

Standoff 2

The game has active Indian communities with regular tournaments. It performs consistently on 4GB RAM devices and consumes minimal background data when not downloading skins.

3. Call of Duty: Mobile

If you’re rocking a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 or Dimensity 9000-series phone (OnePlus, iQOO, upper-tier Redmi Notes), COD Mobile is the most polished FPS available. The gunsmith system offers genuine tactical depth, and ranked multiplayer feels more skill-based than battle royale modes.

This demands stable WiFi or 5G. On 4G networks, you’ll experience desync in Search & Destroy modes. Storage requirement is hefty at 8-10GB with all resources downloaded.

2. Garena Free Fire Max

The second on the Best Mobile FPS Games list is Free Fire Max. While BGMI struggles on 3GB RAM devices, Free Fire Max is built for India’s entry-level smartphone market. Matches last 10-12 minutes (perfect for metro commutes), and the 800MB install size won’t kill your storage. The “Max” version adds visual polish without sacrificing the core advantage: it stabilizes at 50-60 FPS on MediaTek Helio G-series chips common in ₹10,000-₹12,000 phones.

Garena Free Fire Max - #2 in 5 Best Mobile FPS Games in 2026

The game has dedicated Indian esports tournaments with Hindi commentary. Data consumption is roughly 15-20MB per match, significantly lower than BGMI’s 35-40MB.

1. Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI)

BGMI remains India’s best mobile FPS game in 2026 for a good reason. After its return post-ban, Krafton optimized it specifically for India. The game now runs at 60 FPS on Snapdragon 7-series chips and above, and the “Smooth” graphics setting with “Ultra” frame rate is the standard competitive setup for a reason, it keeps latency low during intense 4v4 TDM matches.

Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) - #1 in 5 Best Mobile FPS Games in 2026
Image Source: BGMI

The 1.9GB initial download is reasonable, though updates can hit 500MB-1GB monthly. It works on 4GB RAM phones but expect longer load times.


The Top 5 Best Mobile FPS Games list is not definitive, so take it with a grain of salt. Priorities differ, so treat this as a starting point.

The landscape’s shifting. Rainbow Six Mobile and Valorant Mobile are both targeting 2026 launches. If either nails their PC pedigree while handling Indian audience and infrastructure, this list gets rewritten overnight. Worth watching, but don’t wait. Everything here plays solid right now.

VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026: All Teams, Opening Matches, and Tournament Format

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The 12 teams heading to VALORANT Masters Santiago have been confirmed, and Riot Games has now revealed the full tournament format along with the opening match schedule for the first international VCT event of 2026.

Running from February 28 to March 15, Masters Santiago will bring together three teams from each of the four VCT regions: Americas, EMEA, China, and Pacific. Here is everything you need to know about the qualified teams, the bracket format, and where to watch.

All 12 Teams Qualified for VALORANT Masters Santiago

The 12 participating teams are split evenly across the four international regions, with each region sending its top three finishers from the VCT Kickoff.

China

  • All Gamers (1st Seed)
  • Xi Lai Gaming (2nd Seed)
  • EDward Gaming (3rd Seed)

Pacific

  • Nongshim RedForce (1st Seed)
  • T1 (2nd Seed)
  • Paper Rex (3rd Seed)

Americas

  • FURIA (1st Seed)
  • G2 Esports (2nd Seed)
  • NRG Esports (3rd Seed)

EMEA

  • BBL Esports (1st Seed)
  • Gentle Mates (2nd Seed)
  • Team Liquid (3rd Seed)

Notable Absences: Fnatic, RRQ, and MIBR Miss Out

Not every team was able to secure their spot at Masters Santiago. Fnatic will be missing from an international VCT event for only the second time since the Partnership Programme was introduced, marking a rare absence for one of the most recognised names in VALORANT esports.

RRQ and MIBR both came close, reaching the Upper Finals in the Pacific and Americas Kickoff respectively. However, both teams lost three consecutive best-of-five series, which ended their hopes of qualifying for the event.

VALORANT Masters Santiago Format: Swiss Stage and Playoffs

The tournament is divided into two main stages: a Swiss Stage and a Playoffs bracket.

The four first seeds, one from each region, receive a direct bye into the Playoffs. These teams are All Gamers, Nongshim RedForce, FURIA, and BBL Esports.

The remaining eight teams will compete in the Swiss Stage, which runs from February 28 to March 4. The top four teams from the Swiss Stage will advance to join the four first seeds in the Playoffs.

The Playoffs will use a double-elimination bracket format and are scheduled to run from March 6 to March 15, with the final matches determining the Masters Santiago champion.

VALORANT Masters Santiago Opening Matches

The opening matchups for the Swiss Stage have been confirmed as follows:

  • Gentle Mates vs EDward Gaming
  • T1 vs Team Liquid
  • G2 Esports vs Paper Rex
  • Xi Lai Gaming vs NRG Esports

Championship Points Toward VCT Champions Shanghai

Performance at Masters Santiago will also contribute to Champions Shanghai qualification. The top four finishers at the event will earn Championship Points as follows:

  • 1st Place: 4 Points
  • 2nd Place: 3 Points
  • 3rd Place: 2 Points
  • 4th Place: 1 Point

How to Watch VALORANT Masters Santiago

All matches from VALORANT Masters Santiago will be broadcast live on the VALORANT Champions Tour’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.

Rainbow Six Mobile Release Date and All You Need To Know

After three years of closed tests, regional rollouts, and careful refinement, Rainbow Six Mobile finally has a concrete launch date. Ubisoft confirmed in a recent post that the tactical shooter will release worldwide on February 23, 2026, bringing the intense 5v5 siege gameplay of the PC and console classic to iOS and Android devices .

Here is exactly what you need to know about Rainbow Six Mobile release date, current availability, device requirements, and gameplay before the global launch.

Rainbow Six Mobile Release Date Confirmed

Rainbow Six Mobile will launch globally on February 23, 2026. The game will be free-to-play and available simultaneously on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

This date marks the end of a lengthy development cycle that began with the game’s announcement in April 2022. Following multiple closed alpha and beta phases, Ubisoft opted for an extended soft launch period to optimize performance and server stability before opening the game to all regions.

You Can Play It Right Now (If You’re in the Right Region)

While the global release is set for February 2026, Rainbow Six Mobile is already live in several countries through a soft launch. If you live in Canada, Mexico, Colombia, France, or Poland, you can download and play the game immediately.

The soft launch expanded to Latin America on July 16, 2025, allowing players in those regions to access the full current build, progress through the operator roster, and participate in ranked matches. Player feedback from these regions is being used to balance operators and fix bugs ahead of the global release.

What the Game Actually Is

Rainbow Six Mobile adapts the core formula of Rainbow Six Siege for mobile hardware. It features 5v5 multiplayer matches where attackers and defenders face off in close-quarters tactical combat. The mobile version retains the franchise’s signature destructible environments, operator-specific gadgets, and high-lethality gunplay where headshots matter and sound cues win rounds.

However, Ubisoft has not simply ported the PC version. Matches are shorter and more streamlined for mobile sessions. The control scheme uses customizable touch controls with auto-fire options and simplified gadget deployment. The user interface has been completely redesigned so operators, drones, and cameras are accessible without cluttering the screen during firefights.

At global launch, Rainbow Six Mobile will feature over 24 operators drawn from the Siege roster, including fan favorites like Ash, Sledge, Mute, Bandit, Caveira, and Dokkaebi. Each operator keeps their unique gadget and weapon loadout, requiring teams to coordinate picks for breaching, intel gathering, or area denial.

The map pool includes classics like Bank, Border, Clubhouse, Oregon, and Villa, alongside mobile-exclusive maps named Summit and Restaurant. Game modes include the standard Bomb mode, the faster-paced Bomb Rush, and Team Deathmatch for players who prefer straight firefights over objective play.

Device Requirements

Before you pre-register, verify your device meets the minimum specifications. Rainbow Six Mobile is demanding for a mobile title due to its detailed destruction physics and high-fidelity audio.

Android Requirements:

  • RAM: 4GB minimum
  • OS: Android 9 or higher
  • Storage: Approximately 3.5GB (3.27GB initial download plus a 300MB additional package)
  • Compatible Examples: Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy A05, Redmi Note 13, Oppo A15

iOS Requirements:

  • Processor: A12 Bionic chip or newer
  • OS: iOS 14.4 or higher
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Compatible Devices: iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 11 and newer, iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Mini (5th generation), iPad (8th generation) and newer

Note that the game requires a persistent online connection via 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi. Older devices that meet the OS requirement but lack the processing power may still struggle with frame rates during heavy destruction sequences.

How to Pre-Register and Why You Should

Pre-registration is currently open on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Signing up ensures you receive a notification the moment the game launches in your region, preventing download delays when servers go live on February 23.

Additionally, Ubisoft has announced a milestone reward system tied to pre-registration numbers. As global sign-ups reach specific thresholds (12 million, 20 million, etc.), all players will unlock exclusive in-game cosmetics including weapon charms and weapon skins at launch.

To pre-register:

  1. Visit the Rainbow Six Mobile page on your device’s app store
  2. Tap the “Pre-Register” or “Get” button
  3. Confirm your selection
  4. The game will auto-download on February 23 when available

With the February 23, 2026 being Rainbow Six Mobile release date, the remaining months are dedicated to final polish and seasonal content preparation. Ubisoft has confirmed that post-launch support will include new operators, maps, and seasonal events, mirroring the live-service model that has kept the PC version active for nearly a decade.

If you are in a soft-launch region, now is the time to learn the maps and experiment with operator lineups. For everyone else, checking your device storage and pre-registering is the best way to ensure you are ready to breach on day one.

Team Falcons Crushes FaZe in PGL Cluj-Napoca Day 2

Falcons are just one win away from making it to the next round of play in PGL Cluj-Napoca. After winning each other’s map pick, Falcons smashed FaZe in the final map of the series to go 2-0 up in the Swiss bracket, and now they find themselves within touching distance of the playoffs.

VETO

  • FaZe removed Mirage
  • Falcons removed Overpass
  • FaZe picked Anubis
  • Falcons picked Dust2
  • Falcons removed Nuke
  • FaZe removed Inferno
  • Ancient was left over

Map 1: Anubis; Pick: FaZe; Winner: Falcons

3-0 start for the Falcons on the T side, putting FaZe on the back foot right from the get-go. Failing to convert their force buy, FaZe won the first full-gun round with jcobbb and broky chiming in to stop the Falcons’ attack in its tracks. Falcons hit back on the board right in the following round with a B split and continued on their winning ways. Having largely remained silent for the better part of the half, FaZe only managed to walk away with 3 rounds on their defense in a T-sided map. Winning the pistol round, the Falcons lost momentum as FaZe converted their force buy and put together 5 rounds in a row to cut down the deficit. Right before FaZe were on the verge of levelling the scoreline, Falcons converted back-to-back rounds to push the game over the line. Posting 1.45 IR, NiKo stood out as the best rifler to give his side a close win to kick off the game.

Map 2: Dust2; Pick: Falcons; Winner: FaZe

A 5-0 start for Falcons cornered FaZe on their defense before they stopped a mid to B split to get their first on the board. FaZe managed to successfully counter Falcon’s heavy mid plays by dedicating significant manpower to short, LT, and always having more than a single B defender. With such robust defense, FaZe levelled the scoreline, but Falcons caught on by the end of the half to edge out a narrow lead with a 7-5 scoreline. Having recovered, the Falcons failed to carry the same momentum on their defense as FaZe put together a streak of rounds to hit map point and only lost one round in the process. Falcons got their 11th late in the second half with FaZe already on map point by then, before one final mid to B split call from Karrigan closed the door on OT and levelled the series, taking us to Ancient. Kyousuke dropping a solid performance could have been enough for his side had Twistzz not stepped up big time with 22 kills and 1.44 IR to give his side the edge over Falcons.

Map 3: Ancient; Pick: Decider; Winner: Falcons

A m0NESY 3K with Dual Berettas kicked things off for the Falcons before FaZe walking out of A-main after the site was left wide open gave them their first round. Similar attempt in the following round, but this time at the B bombsite failed miserably as kyxan and TeSeS converted the round effortlessly, giving Falcons the much-needed momentum on their defense. Rock solid defense for the remainder of the half saw FaZe only manage one round, as a very poor finish to the first half saw Falcons walk away with a 10-2 scoreline. With a lead that large, the Falcons started the second half trading rounds only to win back-to-back rounds to close out the game in no time. With a 23-9 score, Ancient became a m0NESY show after a poor performance on Dust 2 as he took his side 2-0 up in the event.

FaZe’s solid opening day performance gave them hopes but the Falcons being a top 3 team in the world would have been a difficult contest nonetheless. A close map 1 and a solid win in map 3 show that FaZe are heading in the right direction, and with time, we must see this team rise once again.

Vitality Wins Against G2 in PGL Cluj-Napoca Day 1

Vitality outlasted G2 after losing their own map pick to kick off their PGL Cluj-Napoca campaign with a win. Coming in with hot hands after winning Krakow, Vitality has positioned itself as the team to beat, and while they were close to a defeat today, G2’s showing was far from sufficient to keep them at bay.

VETO

  • G2 removed Nuke
  • Vitality removed Ancient
  • G2 picked Mirage
  • Vitality picked Inferno
  • Vitality removed Dust2
  • G2 removed Overpass
  • Anubis was left over
https://twitter.com/pglesports/status/2022733684810395904

Map 1: Mirage; Pick: G2; Winner: Vitality

G2 hit the board by converting a force buy on their offense after a clean pistol win from Vitality. Having suffered an early blow, the Vitality defence recovered late into the half after G2 failed to put together streaks of rounds. Despite being on the better side, Vitality only managed 7 rounds, leaving G2 to walk away with 5 before switching sides. G2 cut the deficit by winning 3 rounds in a row to start the second half, only for them to lose 3 in a row as Vitality hit double digits. Despite a good showing by the defence, Vitality managed to walk away by the end of the second half with a clean 3-0. MalbsMd‘s solid work for G2 got overshadowed by Zywoo putting up 24 kills at a 1.85 IR.

Map 2: Inferno; Pick: Vitality; Winner: G2

3-0 start for Vitality on their offence put Vitality on the backfoot before G2 put together 6 in a row to take the lead. Vitality won two more rounds before G2 won the final round of the half to swap sides with a narrow lead of 7-5. Winning the pistol rounds enabled G2 to go 10-5 up before Vitality put their first on the board, before G2 won the following round. As Vitality struggled on their defence, G2 kept round after round, and step by step they pushed the game over the line to take us to the third map in a stunning twist of events.

Map 3: Anubis; Pick: Decider; Winner: Vitality

A clean ace from MATYS started the defence in style for G2 before Vitality took charge of the game in the following round, converting their force buy. Remaining dominant on their offence, Vitality did not let G2 put together streaks of rounds, but winning a few every now and then made the half very competitive. G2 levelled the scoreline by winning the pistol, but the Vitality defence stood too strong for G2. Having failed to convert rounds in a T-sided map, G2’s final map went sideways after two back-to-back solid performances, leading to Vitality closing the map effortlessly, winning 6 rounds while giving away only 3. FlameZ, with 20 kills, stood strong as Vitality’s strongest performer and pushed the game over the line.

G2’s keep getting close every time, but the X factor continues to elude them. Strong performances against the big teams make them a strong contender, but the lack of playoff appearances still calls their competency into question. Only time can tell if they will be able to iron out the wrinkles, but as of today, they start their PGL Cluj-Napoca campaign with a loss.

John Wick PS5 Game Confirmed with Keanu Reeves Reprising Role

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A new AAA John Wick video game is in development and Keanu Reeves is confirmed to be reprising the role of John Wick.

Announcement and Development Partners

The game was revealed during the February 12, 2026 State of Play event. The project is being developed by Saber Interactive in collaboration with Lionsgate, with series creator and director Chad Stahelski involved.

Platforms and Availability

So far the game is confirmed only for PlayStation 5. No release date or release window was announced. The announcement did not list other platforms. 

Story and Canon Placement

Game director Jesus Iglesias said the title is being created in close collaboration with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves. The narrative is described as canon and set during the established John Wick timeline. The game will present an original story that addresses a significant time in John Wick’s life and will include both familiar and new characters.

Gameplay Features

Developers described the project as a AAA John Wick game focused on melee and weapon-based combat that uses environmental objects during encounters. Gun fu remains central to combat. The team also mentioned plans for intense driving experiences and an ambition to blur the line between movies and games by faithfully mimicking the movie experience in a fully playable way.

Trailers and First Look

The first footage shown at the State of Play included Keanu Reeves returning to voice John Wick and brief gameplay snippets. No further trailers or release details were provided at the time of the reveal

Marvel Rivals Wedding Wishes Event: All Rewards, Price, and More Details

The highly anticipated Marvel Rivals Season 6.5 update is here, and it has introduced a brand-new event to celebrate the wedding of Rogue and Gambit.

The Marvel Rivals ‘Wedding Wishes for Mr. & Mrs. X’ event brings with it a couple of wedding-themed costumes for the two fan-favorite mutants alongside a series of other rewards that players can unlock by participating in the event.

However, unlike most other events in Marvel Rivals, the new Wedding Wishes event doesn’t allow players to unlock all of its cosmetics through a simple one-time Lattice purchase or by progressing through a gameplay event pass. It features a balloon popping system similar to what we saw in the ‘Van Dyne’s Grand Opening’ event that featured a limited-edition Psylocke skin.

Similar to the aforementioned event, players have to spend an escalating amount of Units to pop balloons, with each balloon containing a random cosmetic or event item.

To avoid any confusion regarding the ‘Wedding Wishes for Mr. & Mrs. X’ event in Marvel Rivals, its rewards, and the number of Units you’ll have to spend to unlock them, we’ve formulated a detailed guide for players to follow to unlock the latest set of cosmetics from the event.

Marvel Rivals Wedding Wishes Event Guide

As mentioned earlier, the Marvel Rivals Wedding Wishes event requires players to pop a series of balloons to unlock all the rewards. Each balloon carries a set probability of dropping an item, with a very low chance of containing the Legendary Mr. & Mrs. X skins for Gambit and Rogue.

Each balloon pop in this event costs an escalating amount of Units, starting at 100 for the first balloon, 200 for the second, and continuing to rise with every pull. However, if you manage to obtain the Legendary skins at any point, all remaining event rewards are automatically unlocked.

In theory, this means you could secure the entire reward pool for as little as 100 Units, though the odds of that happening are extremely slim. Otherwise, you’ll need to spend a maximum of 3000 Units to unlock all the rewards in the new Marvel Rivals Wedding Wishes event.

Below, we have listed all the rewards included in the event balloons:

  • ‘Mrs. X’ Rogue Legendary Skin
  • ‘Mr. X’ Gambit Legendary Skin
  • ‘Lover’s Embrace’ Gambit Emote
  • Gambit and Rogue Forever MVP Animation
  • Mr. X Nameplate
  • Mrs. X Nameplate
  • Mr. X Spray
  • Mrs. X Spray
https://twitter.com/MarvelRivals/status/2021615210369585274

If you’re finding yourself short on Units, be sure to redeem your free Units from the Times Square map right away.

FaZe Beats HEROIC in PGL Cluj-Napoca Day 1

FaZe Clan takes down HEROIC with a 2-0 scoreline to start their PGL Cluj-Napoca campaign in style. This marks the first convincing FaZe performance of the year after their disastrous showings in the previous events of 2026. While opening day performances can be quite deceiving, that doesn’t stop FaZe from going one step closer to the playoffs.

VETO

  • HEROIC removed Anubis
  • FaZe removed Mirage
  • HEROIC picked Overpass
  • FaZe picked Ancient
  • FaZe removed Dust2
  • HEROIC removed Inferno
  • Nuke was left over

Map 1: Overpass; Pick: HEROIC ; Winner: FaZe

Starting the map with two kills from susp, HEROIC failed to convert as the round gave FaZe a confident start. FaZe built on their pistol win to go 3-0 up before HEROIC posted their first round. FaZe, with a desperate force-buy, showcased some crafty utility, buying time as two kills from them forced a save from HEROIC. Dominant on defence, FaZe effortlessly built a massive 9-1 lead before HEROIC put together the last two rounds to tie it at 9-3, then switched sides. Hard stomping FaZe to open their defence, HEROIC won two back-to-back rounds to cut the deficit to 9-5, but dropped the ball when FaZe brought out the rifles in the 3rd round of the second half. Winning two rounds in a row, FaZe broke the HEROIC bank, making it an effortless close to the map as they won all of the remaining rounds to win the map with a 13-5 scoreline. Putting up 17 kills with a 1.64 IR, frozeN dominated the game, showing once again why he is touted as the saviour of FaZe.

Map 2: Ancient; Pick: FaZe; Winner: FaZe

A clean pistol win kicked the map off for FaZe, only to give up their momentum in the following round. Losing to the HEROIC force, FaZe gave up 4 rounds to see their second on the board. After a few rounds by the end of the game with a very slow and methodical approach, FaZe levelled the scoreline, then switched sides. Losing the pistol and following round, jacbbb stepped up big on the B bombsite to secure a retake and give FaZe their first round of the defence. HEROIC’s offense dipped significantly as FaZe, without even trying, managed to choke them into giving up round after round. Poorly managed offense, strategies, and economy gave FaZe an easy walk till Heroic won their 2nd round of the 2nd half break, though FaZe Clan’s B stack and sending them on an eco. FaZe forcing and converting the force off the back of an AWP and a couple of Five-Sevens put the team on series point, and a 3K from jcobbb put the series over the line with a 13-9 scoreline.

HEROIC’s young roster taking an early loss can put a dent in their confidence coming into the event, especially after having failed to secure a single win at Krakow. The woes for this roster have continued, especially after not being able to field their star line-up with Alkaren. There is still time before this roster matures, making it too early to judge if this roster can be of any good when their talent blooms.

Dota 2 vs. League of Legends – Where LCS Split 1 & Blast SLAM VI Intersect 

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Even if you’re not too familiar with the world of Esports, you probably know that Dota 2 and League of Legends are two of the most popular games in this domain. For true fans of the games and Esports in general, this time of the year is like the holiday season despite the new year and Christmas being far behind us. For Dota 2 fans and players, all focus lies on the Blast SLAM VI tournament which lies ahead of us. Those in love with LoL already have their eyes set on LCS Split 1 which started a few weeks ago. 

With LCS Split 1 already being played for a few weeks, it is not as hyped as Blast SLAM VI which lies ahead of us in February, as we await the latter stages of it. Because of that we’re going to put more focus on the latter, as Dota 2 fans’ excitement grows in the days leading up to the tournament. If you’re new to Esports and the upcoming tournament this is the right opportunity to learn how to bet on Blast SLAM VI and enter the competition prepared from a betting perspective. Before we move toward what is expected from the upcoming Dota 2 tournament, let’s see how well will LoL teams fare in their competition. 

LCS Split 1 Top Picks

Considering that LCS Split 1 is one of the most competitive League of Legends events, the stakes are as high as ever. The odds for upcoming rounds are already out, and you can see that there’s a lot of possibilities for some intriguing wagers. If you want to take the safe road forward you need to have FlyQuest on your slip. While last year’s champions have some fine odds to them, you shouldn’t neglect one of the most competitive teams out there in Team Liquid. They were disappointing last year all around, and will be looking to make up for it and repeat some of the earlier success they’ve had. With their recent form trending upward, they’re the team to bet on. 

While these teams have plenty ahead of them in terms of matches to be played, Round 1 is already over. While we singled out team Liquid as one of the dark horses, they’ve started the tourney on the wrong foot, and lost their first duel vs. Cloud9 Kia 0:2. In Round two, they are going to play against Shopify Rebellion, and you need to follow them through on this as an easy win is expected. Shopify Rebellion is the team that has lost to the main favourites in FlyQuest, and they could find themselves on the verge of two consecutive defeats. 

The rest of the matchups saw Disguised winning against Sentinels 2:1, and LYON winning 0:2 vs. Dignitas. Round 2 will see LYON playing vs. Cloud9 Kia, Disguised vs. FlyQuest, and Dignitas vs. Sentinels in addition to the matches we’ve already mentioned. Round 3 is yet to be scheduled, and once it is wrapped up, six teams will move to playoffs, while two will be eliminated. It is in the playoffs where the real battles will commence, and the prize for the winner, in addition to money, prestige, and fame & glory is going to be a direct invitation to the First Stand. As we said, this is a good moment to take a look at LCS Split 1 and Blast SLAM VI betting odds, and be prepared for the upcoming matches. 

BLAST Slam VI Betting Predictions

As we said, LCS Split 1 is already underway, and the best is yet to come as far as that tournament goes. In the world of Dota 2, things are already a tad bit more interesting. BLAST Slam VI is the first Dota 2 major tourney of the year. All of the best teams will be there, ready to battle it out for the prize pool of $1 million. There will be 12 teams at the start of the competition, with only six spots reserved for those who manage to come out alive from the online stages. Both Group Stage and Play In are played online. The six of the best will reserve their tickets for Malta where the main part of the tourney is going to be played live. There’s a lot to play for at the BLAST Studios venue, and to get there teams will have to rely on their past results, current form, history, roster changes, and of course Stake.com odds that will show you the direction of each team’s quality. As we’ve gone through all of it, here is our list of teams that have the best chances of making great results at the BLAST Slam VI. 

Team Falcons 

If we go back some three years, on the 11th of November, 2023, Team Falcons have entered their super team stage. They’ve been doing great since, so there are no surprises that there’s no changes to their roster. After all, this is the team that has won The International in 2025. It’s not just us. Everyone sees Team Falcons as outright favorites to win the upcoming tourney. After all, this team has one of the best coaches in Esports in Kurtis “Aui_2000” Ling. Under his strategic leadership, and Stanislav “Malr1ne” Potorak in the midlane, this team is one of the hardest to stop in Dota 2. “Malr1ne” has shown what he’s capable of when he deservedly won the TI14 MVP award. Since winning The International in 2025, Team Falcons have finished second at BLAST Slam IV, and won the FISSURE Playground 2. At BLAST Slam V they took third place, showing that they’re both consistent but also able to be defeated, which some more in form teams have done lately. We are sure that Team Falcons have learned from their mistakes over time, and that they will showcase this at the upcoming tournament. After all, in 2026, Ammar “ATF” Al Assaf has been playing out of his mind, and is arguably the best Dota 2 player in the world at the moment. When paired with Stanislav “Malr1ne” Potorak, it is a duo that’s hard to stop. Their odds are set at 3.30 making Team Falcons the top favorites, and a team to beat at the upcoming BLAST Slam VI tournament. 

Tundra Esports

In addition to Team Falcons, Tundra Esports is another great example of consistency. In the past few years, since we’ve had BLAST Slam series introduced they’ve been a part of every Grand Final. For all of you who follow these tournaments, you know that Tundra Esports finished second during the first tournament, and after the inaugural one, went on an amazing winning spree and won the following four editions. When it comes to their power rankings for the BLAST Slam VI, it is easy to slot them as one of the best two teams participating. 

The bookmakers are also on our side, and Tundra Esports are given a bit over 22% chance of winning this tourney. Their odds are set at 4.00, and while there’s one team with better odds than them on Stake, we have them as the second best team in the tournament, and based on their previous performances, no one should be surprised if Tundra Esports make it to yet another Grand Final. While we love what they bring to the table, we still need to be realistic. Winning the BLAST Slam in five back to back editions is not going to be an easy feat. Yet, their 15:1 score to date speaks volumes of what Tundra Esports are able to do. Last time around, they have dominated Team Yandex, 3:1, in the Grand Final showing that they do their best when the stakes are the highest. 

Team Spirit

Now, here’s a team that the sportsbooks love leading up to this tourney. With their odds set at 3.80, the bookies are giving them better chances of going farther than Tundra Esports. We can understand this sentiment. Most fans will remember their underperformance at the TI14. What we remember is that Team Spirit are the reigning Esports World Cup champions. Their roster always had skill and experience, but with the addition of Nikita “panto” Balaganin they moved the needle a few degrees up. While not winning any majors late in the year, Team Spirit managed to end the year with 2nd place finishes at PGL Wallachia Season 6 and DreamLeague Season 27. As we said, they failed to win trophies, but managed to go as far as possible in every tourney they participated in. The odds show that they might as well be the second best team once again, at the BLAST Slam VI, or even disrupt the top favorites and take home their first win of the year. We would be more certain that they can make a run to the Grand Final if Denis “Larl” Sigitov was leading the way for Team Spirit. Yet, he is out of commission, and will be replaced by Marat “Mirele” Gazetdinov, who, while amazing, is simply not on the same level as “Larl”. 

MOUZ

MOUZ has been collecting pieces for their roster throughout the last year, trying to create a winning formula for competitions such as BLAST Slam VI. The current squad was formed on September 20, and have been showing signs of consistent performances and growth since. If you’ve been paying attention to their skillset, the team has all the makings of a giant slayer. During the last few events, they’ve always managed to play the best against the best. It all comes down to the return of Yeik “MidOne” Nai Zheng, who is playing the best Dota 2 of his life. 

While not topping the charts with their most recent performances, 4th position at BLAST Slam V, 3rd place at BLAST Slam IV, and 5-6 at FISSURE Playground 2, are nothing to scoff at. Where they’ve shown their worth is the Tier 1 LAN trophy at PGL Wallachia Season 6 where winning the first place was a showcase of what this team was able to do. During the Grand Final they were better than Team Spirit and won the Grand Final with a 3:2 score, showing that they can play well on the biggest stage, and under pressure. With their odds set at 7.50 they are obviously one of the dark horses for this tournament, but that’s the exact role MOUZ excels at. 

Types of Dota 2 and LOL Bets & Esports Betting Markets

Considering that the gameplay, and overall tournament formats of Dota 2 and League of Legends are quite similar, their betting markets do not differ all that much. We could say that for games as these the betting markets are identical. The ones you should start with include: 

  • Match Winner (Twoway): What you have here is a classic moneyline wager. You bet on an Esport team to win a specific fixture. What you need to remember is that Dota 2 and LOL matches are often played in bets of 3 and bets of 5 series, so the winner is the team that wins more maps. 
  • Map Handicap: Once you get the idea of team quality, and their adeptness to certain maps, you can move onto Map handicap betting. Let’s say Team Spirit has -1.5 Map Handicap over MOUZ, they need to win the matchup 3:0 to be seen as a winner. A 2:1 win would be seen as a MOUZ win by the bookies due to the given handicap. 
  • Total Maps: In the tournaments that are played on more maps, you can bet on the number of maps that will be played during a single matchup. It is a classic over/under wager. 
  • Correct Score: If you’re truly into Esports, wagering on the correct score of any duel is the way to go. The odds are higher, but also the risks. 

With the betting markets we have above, you will be on a good path to betting on Esports. Once you get more relaxed around it, trying out betting markets such as Wins at Least One Map, Specific Map Outcomes, Prop Bets, Outright bets, and Parlays should come into mix. 

Marvel Rivals Players Can Get Free Units in Times Square Through New Events

The Marvel Rivals Season 6.5 update is out, and NetEase is celebrating the mid-season patch by giving away a bunch of free Units to the game’s player base!

For the uninitiated, Units are an earnable in-game currency in Marvel Rivals, mainly used to purchase cosmetics such as character skins, emotes, sprays, nameplates, and bundles from the in-game store. It can be obtained via events, Battle Passes, and can also be exchanged from Lattice, the premium currency in Marvel Rivals.

Right now, players have the chance to get lots of free Units in Marvel Rivals by simply logging into the game and participating in the ongoing events.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new free Units giveaway in Marvel Rivals and how you can claim it.

How to Get Free Units in Marvel Rivals Times Square

Following the Season 6.5 update, there are two events that you can participate in to get a total of 200 free Units in Marvel Rivals.

Love on Parade

The first one is the “Love on Parade” event, which will run until March 5, 2026, in Times Square and will give out 100 free Units to anyone who participates.

To claim your free Units, you first have to load into the Times Square map and find the white carriage that’s circling around the streets.

Once you see the carriage, you’ll need to hop inside and then board the carriage by pressing ‘T’ when prompted.

Note that if you do not board the carriage, you will be unable to redeem your free Units via this event.

Also, there’s a bug in the event where, if you’re playing Elsa Bloodstone, the newest Marvel Rivals character, you’ll be unable to board the carriage.

Once you board the carriage with any of the other heroes, you’ll automatically receive 100 free Units in Marvel Rivals.

Lion Dance

Starting February 15, 4 pm UTC, players will be able to claim another set of 100 free Units in Marvel Rivals by participating in the “Lion Dance” event. You can find the stage for the show set up right next to Jeff’s Lemonade Stand, where you’ll have to get up and interact with the massive drum to get 100 free Units. Players will be able to claim the units from the Lion Dance show up until February 22 at 4 pm UTC.

That’s everything you need to know about how to get free Units in the Marvel Rivals Times Square map.