Gaijin Entertainment has revealed details about the War Thunder Championship Series 2026, which is the entirety of War Thunder esports that leads up to the Grand Final of the season and encompasses several different leagues.
To start with, the War Thunder Championship Series 2026 is split into two: the WTCS Pro League and the WTCS Challenger League. Each of these have three Major events and then a Grand Final, with the schedule as follows:
- WTCS Pro League
- Major 1: February 21 to March 15 (4×4 Mixed Battle RB, Best of €5,000)
- Major 2: May 9 to May 31(4×4 Air Battle RB, Best of 7, €5,000)
- Major 3: August 22 to September 13 (4v4 Tank Battle RB, Best of 5, €5,000)
- Grand Final: October 23 to November 8 (4v4 All Modes, €15,000)
- WTCS Challenge League
- Major 1: March 21 to April 12 (4v4 Mixed Battle RB, Best of 5)
- Major 2: June 20 to July 12 (4v4 Air Battle RB, Best of 7)
- Major 3: September 19 to October 11 (4v4 Tank Battle, Best of 5)
- Grand Final: November 13 to November 29 (4v4 All Modes)
Other rewards will be announced between the two leagues before each Major, and it’s the biggest difference between the two leagues. The WTCS Pro League includes a €30,000 prize pool, as well as the opportunity for the top eight Grand Final teams to co-create Team Packs. The Challenger League rewards include things like 500,000 Golden Eagles to be handed out and rare vehicle coupons.
There have been a few changes and adjustments to the War Thunder Championship Series 2026. For example, a team’s roster must have at least four players and no more than seven players for every Major event. Throughout the Major, there is one player change available per round, and the Grand Final roster can go up to eight players.
Additionally, the event streams will be available in several different languages, including English, Russian, French, Polish, and German. Event replays and highlight compilations will also be shared on YouTube.
Last but not least is the MVP title. The War Thunder Championship Series 2026 will choose players who impact their matches the most, adapting to the battlefield, and consistently playing at the top of their game. This year, there will be an MVP as well as a Top Three players prize, which is as follows:
- 1st Place: €1,500 and WTCS Season 2026 MVP title
- 2nd Place: €650
- 3rd Place: €350