Creation of a European zone divided into 4 regions.
2 competitive splits with different stakes.
Regional tournaments at the end of each split.
The best teams from Split 1 will qualify for a brand-new competition.
A parallel competition between locations across the European zone, with a cash prize.
Introduction of a competitive map rotation.
Subtitles are available in Spanish, German, English, and Romanian! Turn them on to enjoy the full video experience.
The 2026 local leagues is set to be more intense than ever.
The EVA ecosystem continues to grow: more locations, more players, more teams… and one shared passion that brings us all together: competition.
The local league is the first step toward top-level EVA competition, and today we are revealing the outline of a new season full of challenges and new features.
In 2026, barriers fall: teams will no longer be restricted to their country.
We have listened to your feedback about wanting to compete against more teams. Europe now becomes a single competitive playground, allowing all teams to face each other in official competitions, regardless of nationality.
FRANCE, GERMANY, BELGIUM, SPAIN, SWITZERLAND, and ROMANIA make up this new European zone. To structure this expansion, the map is divided into 4 regions, each grouping up to 16 locations.
As in 2025, the year 2026 will be structured around two splits:
SPLIT 1: JANUARY TO APRIL:
Objective: Finish first in your location
Reward: Qualification for the June Regional Tournament
The top 3 teams from each regional tournament will qualify for a brand-new competition starting in September.
SPLIT 2: MAY TO SEPTEMBER
Objective: Finish first
Reward: Qualification for the October Regional Tournament
The top 2 teams from each regional tournament will qualify for the Last Chance Tournament on November 29, 2026.
🎯 Local league points system :
|
Division 1 |
Division 2 |
Division 3 |
Division 4 |
|
1 - 100 points |
1 - 60 points |
1 - 35 points |
1 - 20 points |
|
2 - 85 points |
2 - 50 points |
2 - 30 points |
2 - 15 points |
|
3 - 70 points |
3 - 40 points |
3 - 25 points |
3 - 10 points |
|
4 - 55 points |
4 - 35 points |
4 - 20 points |
4 - 5 points |
Local leagues keep the same format as this year, with 4 divisions. Rules, promotions/relegations, and match formats remain unchanged: a group stage where all teams play each other once in BO3.
At the end of each split, the best team from each local league will earn a ticket to a regional tournament. These tournaments allow teams to face opponents outside their own location.
The format of these tournaments has not yet been finalized and will be announced during Split 1.
They will be hosted by volunteer locations over a full day, bringing the EVA community together around high-stakes matches.
4 regional tournaments will take place in June. The top 3 teams from each tournament will qualify for a brand-new competition starting in September 2026.
4 regional tournaments will also take place in October. This time, only the top 2 teams from each tournament will qualify for the Last Chance Tournament, which grants access to the next competitive tie.
On November 29, 2026, the Last Chance Tournament will take place, a competition allowing local league teams to reach the next competitive level.
The 2 best teams from each region will participate, along with 6 teams from the higher tier, for a total of 14 teams competing for 8 spots to earn or retain a place in the upper league.
The tournament will be played in a Swiss format (3 Wins = Qualified / 3 Losses = Eliminated).
2026 introduces a completely new competition running in parallel with all others.
Each location in the European zone can now aim for a global ranking, based on the performance of its teams in IS matches against teams from other local leagues.
At the end of each Local League night, the winning team of each division plays an IS match against a winning team from another location (same division).
The location earns points based on division:
Division 1 : 10 pts
Division 2 : 8 pts
Division 3 : 6 pts
Division 4 : 5 pts
A global ranking is updated every month.
The Top 10 at the end of the season wins a cash prize.
Season 1 : January → July
Season 2 : August → December
€15,000 per season
→ 50% for the location / 50% for the teams
Top 10 prize distribution:
|
1st |
30 % |
€4,500 |
|---|---|---|
|
2nd |
18 % |
€2,700 |
|
3rd |
12 % |
€1,800 |
|
4th |
9 % |
€1,350 |
|
5th |
7 % |
€1,050 |
|
6th |
6 % |
€900 |
|
7th |
5 % |
€750 |
|
8th |
5 % |
€750 |
|
9th |
4 % |
€600 |
|
10th |
4 % |
€600 |
We have heard your feedback about reducing the number of playable maps in competition. A map rotation system will therefore be introduced.
Every 4 months, a pool of 8 maps will be selected for official matches (a specific map pool may be defined for regional tournaments or other competitions). This will allow teams to better develop strategies and deepen their knowledge of EVA Battle Arena environments.
→ From 01/01/26 to 04/30/26 : ARTEFACT, ATLANTIS, ENGINE, OUTLAW, HORIZON, CLIFF, HELIOS STATION, SILVA
→ From 05/01/26 to 08/31/26 : TBD
→ From 09/01/26 to 12/31/26 : TBD
2026 is shaping up to be a major year for local league teams, with everything they need to shine and climb to the top.
Thank you for your passion and commitment to EVA year after year. We continue to grow this scene alongside you, and we hope 2026 will mark a new milestone in our shared development.
PS: The transfer window for upper leagues has been extended until 01/31/2026. Announcements regarding other competitions will be made in early January.
Is it possible to join a local league even if the league has already started?
→ Yes, it is possible to join a local league at any time during the year, even if the season has already started. You will simply be placed automatically in the lowest division.
Will a map pool system be implemented?
→ Yes, a rotation of playable maps in competition will be implemented for 2026, with 3 changes throughout the year.
When does the local league season officially start again?
→ The season resumes in January for local league teams.
What are the requirements to create a team?
→ You simply need to form a group of 4 players, choose a team name, and subscribe to a Battle Pass (Essential, Plus, or Ultra).
Where can we find dates and calendars?
→ All calendars will be available on the esports website in early January. A new platform will be revealed in February to follow all competitions.
What is the format of local league nights in locations?
→ The format remains the same as in 2025. All teams in a division face each other once in BO3 matches. The highest-ranked team at the end of the night wins the division.
What are the transfer periods / team change rules?
→ Players can freely change teams, local leagues, or regions during official transfer windows:
12/08/2025 – 12/31/2025
Once a split has started, a player cannot change teams unless they do not register or play with any team for at least one stage (one month), known as a “freeze phase.” After this phase, they may join another team in their local league. Changing local leagues during a split is strictly forbidden.
Can teams change their roster before regional tournaments?
→ No. Teams participating in regional tournaments must field the same players as in the final stage of the split.
What is the cost to participate in a local league?
→ You must have a Battle Pass subscription (Essential, Plus, or Ultra). During competition nights, 2 BP tokens will be required.
Where can we find the competition rules?
→ The rules are currently being written and will be published in early January on the community Discord in the channel: esports-règlements
Can a player compete in both an upper league and a local league?
→ No. Last year this was allowed under certain conditions, but this rule no longer applies. A player registered in a local league team cannot play in an upper league team at the same time.