ROADMAP EVA COMPETITIVE 2026

In summary:

• • Major changes

  • A new 8-team league

  • A new 16-team league split into 2 conferences

  • The end of the French Cup, replaced by the EVA Summit

     

     

The year 2026 marks a major turning point for the EVA competitive scene. With a complete overhaul of the leagues and the introduction of new formats, the 2026 esports roadmap ushers in a new, more ambitious era—now on a European scale.

Discover all the new features that will shape the season.

EUROPEAN LEAGUES GOING FORWARD

Like the local leagues, major EVA competitions are evolving and taking on a European dimension. This transformation aims to raise the level of play, attract new organizations, and offer a more cohesive and demanding competitive ecosystem.

THE EVA Pro League

A major new feature for 2026: the EVA Pro League.

Made up of 8 teams, it will bring together new organizations and mark a true turning point for the competitive ecosystem.

Format AND SCHEDULE

• Period: April to October 2026

• Format: round-robin (home and away)

• Matchs: BO3

CASH PRIZE

€50,000 in prize money, distributed among the 8 teams at the end of the regular season:

• 1st: €15,000

• 2nd: €10,000

• 3rd: €7,500

• 4th: €5,000

• 5th: €4,000

• 6th: €3,500

• 7th: €2,500

• 8th: €2,500

At the end of the regular season, the Top 4 teams will qualify directly for the EVA Summit playoffs.

THE EVA Challenger League

Alongside the Pro League, the Challenger League makes its debut. It allows teams to compete over a full season, with a results-based system that directly impacts their future within the league.

Composition

• 16 teams, split into 2 conferences : Alpha et Beta

• 10 former EVA League 2 France 2025 teams

• The 2 best EVA League 1 Belgium 2025

• 4 invited teams from the former EVA League 1 France

Format AND SCHEDULE

• From March 3 to October 20, 2026

• Single round-robin matches

• BO3 Format

Qualifications AND relEgation

• The top 4 teams from each conference advance to the playoffs

• These 8 teams also qualify for the second stage of the EVA Summit

• Teams ranked 5th, 6th, and 7th will compete in the Last Chance Tournament on November 29, 2026, to retain their spot

• The last-placed team in each conference is automatically relegated to a local league the following season 

Cash prize

• €25,000 distributed among the Top 4 playoff teams:

  • 1st: €12,000

  • 2nd: €7,000

  • 3rd: €3,000

  • 4th: €3,000

THE EVA SUMMIT

The final major new feature of 2026, the EVA Summit is a cross-league competition bringing together the entire EVA ecosystem:

• Local leagues

• Challenger League

• Pro League

It unfolds across three stages, with a progressively increasing level of competition.

→ STAGE 1: JULY 2026

• 12 teams from the June regional tournaments

• 4 invited teams

• The top 8 teams qualify for Stage 2

Cash Prize: €5,000

→ STAGE 2: SEPTEMBER 2026

• The top 8 teams from Stage 1

• Entry of the top 8 teams from the Challenger League

• Only the top 4 teams advance to Stage 3

Cash Prize: €10,000

→ Playoffs : OctobER 2026

• The top 4 teams from Stage 2

• Entry of the 4 Pro League teams

• 8 teams in total competing for the title

Cash prize : €15,000

A CLEAR AMBITION FOR 2026

With this new competitive structure, we reaffirm our commitment to delivering a clearer, more competitive, and more ambitious esports ecosystem.

The 2026 season promises to be intense, strategic, and spectacular at every level.

One thing is certain: a new chapter is opening for the EVA competitive scene.

FAQ

Is it possible to reach the Pro League through the Challenger League?

→ No, this will not be possible. Pro League teams have permanent slots, guaranteeing their place in the league for the coming seasons.
→ As a player, the only way to join this league is to be recruited by one of these teams.

Four EL1 teams will join the Challenger League via invitation—what about the other four?

→ Four former EL1 rosters were approached by organizations joining the Pro League. As a result, there will be 4 former EL1 teams in the Pro League and 4 former EL1 teams in the Challenger League.

Will a map pool system be implemented?

→ Yes. A rotation of playable maps in competition will be introduced for 2026, with three changes throughout the year.

When does the season officially start for the Pro League and the Challenger League?

→ The Pro League will begin in early March, while the Challenger League will start in late February.
→ All matches will be played in-studio (IS) on Tuesday evenings.

Where will the Challenger League playoffs take place?

→ Challenger League playoffs will be played in-studio (IS) over two separate evenings in October.

Where can we find the dates and schedules?

→ All calendars will be available on the esports website. A new platform will be unveiled in February to follow all our competitions.

Where can we find the competition rules?

→ The rulebooks are currently being written and will be published by the end of January on the community Discord, in the #reglement-esport channel.
(Make sure you have the “Règlement” role to receive update notifications!)

Can a player compete in a higher league and a local league at the same time?

→ No, this is no longer possible. Last year, players could be part of an EL1 or EL2 team while also playing in a local league, as long as they did not exceed a match limit. This rule no longer exists. A player registered with a local league team will not be able to play in a higher league team at the same time.

Why stop the French Cup?

→ With the opening of borders and a packed calendar, it was not possible to organize a French Cup.

Which are the 4 teams invited to Stage 1 of the EVA Summit?

→ These 4 teams may be teams from outside the European region (depending on the development of other countries) or LL teams from the European region.

If you have any questions find us on discord: