Honor of Kings World Cup (KWC) 2026: Format, teams, and favorites to win

Wasif Ahmed Published July 30, 2026

The Honor of Kings World Cup (KWC) 2026 is set to take place from July 30 to August 8 as 20 teams compete for the title of champions and the lion’s share of the $3 million prize pool.

With the $3 million price tag, this makes the KWC one of the most prestigious events of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026. The event is also relevant in the context of EWC, as clubs such as Virtus.Pro, Team Vitality, and AG.AL compete for Club Championship points.

Here is everything you need to know about the KWC 2026.

Who are the teams competing in the KWC 2026?

The complete list of teams in the event are as follows:

• Group stage
  • AG.AL
  • Kuaishou Gaming
  • Team Vitality
  • Team Nemesis
  • Aurora Gaming
  • Geekay Esports
  • ROC Esports
  • BOOM Esports
  • Titan Esports Club
  • MIBR.LOS
  • Virtus.pro
  • Revenant XSpark
• Play-ins
  • Buriram United
  • Team Flash
  • Deep Cross Gaming
  • OG Esports
  • Blacklist Intl.
  • Influence Rage
  • NS RedForce
  • S8UL Esports

Format explained

The KWC 2026 begins with the play-in stage where the eight teams compete for four spots into the group stage. The teams are split into two groups of each four teams each, and compete in a double-elimination bracket.

The Group Stage, on the other hand, features a total of 16 teams divided across four groups. Just like the play-in, this also features a double-elimination bracket, with two teams from each group making it to the playoffs.

Finally, the eight teams will meet in the playoffs with the group winners getting a chance to select their opponents. This will be a single-elimination bracket. The playoffs will follow a best-of-seven format, while the play-ins and group stage games will be a best-of-three.

Teams to watch out for at the KWC 2026

AG.AL

Image credit: Honor of Kings esports

One of the safest option for Honor of Kings betting in this tournament has to be AG.AL. The mid-season Honor of Kings esports tournament at the EWC has been won by Chinese teams since its inception.

AG.AL, despite coming in third at the King Pro League (KPL) Spring 2026 are among the favorites. This is because they have dominated Honor of Kings esports since late 2024, and have shown no sign of stopping.

This includes winning the KPL Grand Finals 2025, KPL Summer 2025, KWC 2025, and the KPL Spring 2025.

Kuaishou Gaming

If there is one team that can stop AG.AL, it is Kuashiou Gaming. The team had managed to upset the defending champions during the KPL Spring 2026 playoffs, as AG.AL fell to them 2–4.

Despite this, Kuashiou Gaming are only second favorites, though. This is because in their two previous encounters during the KPL Spring 2026, AG.AL has managed to grab the win.

Buriram United Esports

Image credit: Honor of Kings esports

Last but not the least are Buriram United Esports. With the convergence of Arena of Valor and Honor of Kings esports, we are now seeing teams from the more dominant SEA regions compete in the KWC.

Leading this charge is Thailand’s Buriram United Esports. The org almost revamped its entire roster in 2026, and the all-Thai team have already quickly found success by winning the ROV Pro League Summer 2026.

Thailand is among the toughest regions for Arena of Valor, or Honor of Kings as its globally called, after China. Therefore, their win at the ROV Pro League, over defending world champions FULL SENSE makes them a team to watch out for.

Featured image credit: Honor of Kings esports

Related to:

AG.AL

KuaiShow Gaming

Buriram United Esports Honor of Kings World Cup Group A