---
title: "IPL x AREA CUP Announces: Splat World Series 2026 Season"
date: 2026-03-22
author:
   - name: YELLOW
     link: https://sendou.ink/u/great-hero-yellow
---

#### *The global stage returns for teams to fight for their right to crown themselves the best in the world—new timeslot, new rules, and new staff await\!*

<img width="1200" height="675" alt="IPLxAREACUP-SWS-2026-season-reveal" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/50898786-9dc5-4d2b-ac04-a9c03052ff64" />

On Saturday, March 21, 2026, Inkling Performance Labs (IPL) and AREA CUP, two of the biggest names in the Competitive Splatoon tournament scene, revealed the season details for the 2026 edition of Splat World Series. The event’s goal is to bridge the gap between the Eastern and Western competitive scenes. 

Splat World Series previously took place on Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, and had a live viewership of over 2,000 Splatoon fans across IPL and AREA CUP’s dual English-Japanese streams. The single-day, double-elimination, Splat Zones-only event hosted a total of 16 teams—eight from Japan, and eight from the West. 

The team who took the crown and title of best in the world in the very first Splat World Series event was **The Invincible Fleet Reimaru**. 

The 2026 Splat World Series is aiming above and beyond its predecessor, using player and audience feedback and stepping outside of the paraded norm to bring more action, more storylines, and more thrill for all involved. 

A quick checklist of what’s new, as outlined in the reveal trailer narrated by Popgun (English version) or Hemi (Japanese version): changes to the ruleset, changes to start times, new staff, new qualifiers, and more events\! 

<p float="center">
  <img src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/ef4c980b-e882-43f4-93e4-33d1afaf1999" width="48%" />
  <img src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/2ce759eb-1ff8-4552-bf3f-fcf547e1a983" width="48%" />
</p>

You can watch the full reveal trailer here: 

English Language Season Reveal: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W2RZwktsJw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W2RZwktsJw) 

Japanese Language Season Reveal: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW3giKCLYvI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW3giKCLYvI) 

# **Ruleset Changes**

The first SWS was very straightforward: Splat Zones only, all maps allowed, and after the first match in a set, the losing team counterpicked the next map. The formula is changing this time around to add more intrigue and opportunities for strategizing, by implementing a strike/select system for all events in the SWS 2026 Season. 

The event will remain a Splat Zones-only tournament and keep all stages legal. The changes apply to the counterpicking system. Here’s how the strike/select system works: 

<img width="1000" height="561" alt="strikeselect" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/62d4cb15-fa08-4a8e-a6c9-b256c8e1b9e4" />

- When the set begins, both teams will take turns banning two maps each. The higher seed gets to choose their map of choice to ban first.   
- The first map that the teams play on will be randomly selected out of the pool of non-banned maps.  
- After the first game, the **winning team** bans two more stages. The **losing team** selects the map for the next game.   
  - This continues after each game until the set ends.  
- Map bans reset after the set ends and will not carry into the next set.

# **Timeslot Changes**

Time of day was a major pain point last year, with the SWS Finals beginning at 5 AM PT / 8 AM ET / 2 PM CET / 9 PM JT. Many players griped about how the event start time affected their performance. All events for the Splat World Series 2026 Season will now follow a new schedule, using one of three different timeslots: 

<p float="center">
  <img src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/17a93523-40c8-4102-bbbb-091cc5a5862a" width="32%" />
  <img src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/27aa2143-baaf-45a2-bdd8-fe16edc009e7" width="32%" />
  <img src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/10e7b8cd-b1d2-4553-836c-2e068fdcef3e" width="32%" />
</p>

**Western Timeslot:** 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 7 PM CET / 2 AM JT

- This timeslot will be used for **Western Qualifying Events** and **Global Gauntlet Qualifiers**. 

**Eastern Timeslot:** 4 AM PT / 7 AM ET / 1 PM CET / 8 PM JT

- This timeslot will only be used for **Eastern Qualifying Events**. 

**International Timeslot:** 8 PM PT / 11 PM ET **on Friday evening** / 5 AM CET / 12 PM JT **on Saturday afternoon**

- Events using the International Timeslot will begin on FRIDAY EVENING for NA teams and will run into early morning on Saturday; due to the time difference, this means EU and Eastern teams will begin on Saturday.

- This timeslot will be used for each **Global Gauntlet Finals event** and **the Splat World Series 2026 Finals**. 

<img width="600" height="337" alt="INTL_disclaimer" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/869ef5ad-6b53-4d26-ac0f-70e105d2e465" />

What is a “Global Gauntlet”? New for the 2026 season… 

# **The Global Gauntlet(s)**

The Global Gauntlet is a new event to SWS 2026, turning what used to be just a single event into an entire season\! Players and analysts insisted that one of the biggest factors contributing to the West’s underwhelming score was due to the lack of practice against JP teams (and nerves about the unfamiliarity paired with a high-stakes event). 

The Global Gauntlet was created to provide a solution to that—warm-ups for both the East and the West to test their mettle against one another in lower-stakes events. While the stakes aren’t as intense as “fighting for your right to crown yourselves as the best in the world” just yet, they aren’t just another casual weekly, either. 

There will be two sets of Global Gauntlets preceding the Splat World Series 2026 Finals. **The Global Gauntlets are *not* qualifiers for the SWS Finals**. They are, however, a series of three tournaments per Global Gauntlet, with the first two tournaments acting as qualifiers to participate in the third Global Gauntlet tournament, the Finals. 

## **Global Gauntlet Qualifiers**

- Two qualifiers per Global Gauntlet event
- Double-elimination format, open to **Western teams only**. 
- The top three teams per qualifier make it to the Global Gauntlet Finals, for a total of six Western teams advancing.
- Qualifiers follow the **Western Timeslot:** 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 7 PM CET / 2 AM JT

<img width="700" height="393" alt="gg1" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/54f00c77-8e70-4a13-815d-d7c18f440025" />

**First Edition Global Gauntlet Qualifier \#1:** Saturday, April 11th, 2026
- Sendou.ink link: [https://play.iplabs.ink/gg1q1](https://play.iplabs.ink/gg1q1)

**First Edition Global Gauntlet Qualifier \#2:** Saturday, April 18th, 2026
- Sendou.ink link: [https://play.iplabs.ink/gg1q2](https://play.iplabs.ink/gg1q2) 

The above qualifies teams for the First Edition Global Gauntlet Finals on Friday, April 24th (NA teams) / Saturday, April 25th (EU and Eastern Teams) \[**International Timeslot**\]

<img width="700" height="393" alt="gg2" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/032ecd9b-3612-4a44-a61e-59f0417cdd25" />

**Second Edition Global Gauntlet Qualifier \#1:** Saturday, May 30th, 2026
- Sendou.ink link: [https://play.iplabs.ink/gg2q1](https://play.iplabs.ink/gg2q1)

**Second Edition Global Gauntlet Qualifier \#2:** Saturday, June 6th, 2026
- Sendou.ink link: [https://play.iplabs.ink/gg2q2](https://play.iplabs.ink/gg2q2)

The above qualifies teams for the Second Edition Global Gauntlet Finals on Friday, June 12th (NA teams) / Saturday, June 13th (EU and Eastern Teams) \[**International Timeslot**\]

## **Global Gauntlet Finals**

The Global Gauntlet Finals are made up of the six Global Gauntlet-qualifying teams from the West vs. six teams from the East who AREA CUP invites to the Finals, for a tournament of 12 teams total. 

Once the Global Gauntlet Finals conclude, the teams’ eligibility statuses clear, meaning if they made it to the First Edition Global Gauntlet Finals, they will have to fight their way to the Second Edition Global Gauntlet Finals\!

Unlike the double-elimination open Qualifiers, the Global Gauntlet Finals will use a modified Bo5 Round Robin format. All 12 teams will be in one large group, but teams will only face opponents from the **opposing region** (Western teams will only face Eastern teams), to maximize playtime with the other region. 

The Global Gauntlet Finals will use the **International Timeslot**, meaning NA teams will start on Friday evening, while EU and Eastern teams will start on Saturday. The International Timeslot start times are 8 PM PT / 11 PM ET **on Friday evening** / 5 AM CET / 12 PM JT **on Saturday afternoon**. 

**First Edition Global Gauntlet Finals:** Friday, April 24th (NA teams) / Saturday, April 25th (EU and Eastern teams)
- Sendou.ink link: [https://play.iplabs.ink/gg1finals](https://play.iplabs.ink/gg1finals)

**Second Edition Global Gauntlet Finals:** Friday, June 12th (NA teams) / Saturday, June 13th (EU and Eastern Teams)
- Sendou.ink link: [https://play.iplabs.ink/gg2finals](https://play.iplabs.ink/gg2finals)

# **Main Event: Splat World Series 2026**

<img width="1000" height="562" alt="maineventof2026" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/6337f96c-ec43-4032-91a6-d29627193bc7" />

Once the dust settles from the Global Gauntlets, it’s time to look ahead to what everyone has been training for the past several months: the Splat World Series\! SWS will have its own region-locked qualifying events separate from the Global Gauntlets. 

The East will have one qualifier: a Round Robin into Single-Elimination tournament, where the top four teams will earn their ticket to the Finals. This qualifier will take place on Saturday, July 11th, and will use the Eastern Timeslot. 

Sendou.ink link to the Eastern qualifier: [https://play.iplabs.ink/sws26east](https://play.iplabs.ink/sws26east)

AREA CUP will select the other four Eastern teams to send to the SWS Finals, who will be announced closer to the Finals. A total of eight teams will represent the East in the Splat World Series Finals. 

The West will have two qualifiers to determine which teams they send to the Finals. Each Western qualifier will be a double-elimination tournament, with the top four teams per qualifier earning their ticket to the Finals, for a total of eight Western teams. 

Western qualifiers will take place on Saturday, July 18th and Saturday, July 25th, and will use the Western Timeslot. Here are the Sendou.ink links for [Western qualifier \#1](https://play.iplabs.ink/sws26west1) and [Western qualifier \#2](https://play.iplabs.ink/sws26west2). 

## **Splat World Series Finals**

Sixteen teams have been chosen to represent their region and fight for their right to crown themselves as the best in the world. When and where is the action being held? 

<img width="700" height="393" alt="Finals" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/63ce8a3b-596f-4735-9cb4-8eac6290f97e" />

The Splat World Series will now be a **two-day event\!** Day one will be Friday, August 7th, 2026, and day two will begin on Saturday, August 8th. 

Because this event uses the **International Timeslot**, NA teams will begin day one on Friday evening and conclude Saturday morning, and then day two will begin on Saturday evening, for an event conclusion on Sunday morning.

Day one will be a Play All 3 Swiss format into double elimination; this will determine each team’s seed for day two, and not eliminate them from the Finals. All teams make day two\! 

Day two will be the double-elimination tournament with the real stakes—the winner takes the crown and the title of best in the world\! The current reigning champion is The Invincible Fleet Reimaru. Will they return to defend their throne, or will a new champion arise? 

<img width="1000" height="562" alt="TheInvincibleFleetReimaru_victoryscreen" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/5a755747-9f80-42fc-97f1-f224a465af65" />

*The Invincible Fleet Reimaru, from left to right: reimaru, Garandou, Naegora, lobster, posing for victory after their 3-1 Grand Finals win against Samurai Cat*

# **Staff/Talent Announcement**

With the Splat World Series 2026 Season being far bigger than its predecessor, more hands have been added to the effort to produce a high-quality community Worlds event. Need a refresher on who was involved in the development of the first Splat World Series? Check out IPL’s [Splat World Series Credits](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXyzV_vbCI8&list=PLsJtNA8co7rZYB5Si2iYu3eAJokkd7J4p) video\!

This year, [these folks are adding their talent and expertise to SWS](https://bsky.app/profile/iplabs.ink/post/3mhmauom45s2i) (video in link): 

**Production Staff**

- Brush (@brushstrokes.bsky.social)   
- Diedre (@d1edre.bsky.social)   
- Marcus (@marcushatesshot.bsky.social)

**Western Commentators This Year**

- Cyren (@cyrenbanshi.bsky.social)   
- Dark (@spfdark.bsky.social)   
- Fufu (@splatfufu.sunsetsurge.ink)   
- Kbot (@kbot273.bsky.social)   
- Magic (@splatbooks.ink)   
- Pat (@patjortom.bsky.social)   
- Popgun (@popgun.bsky.social)  
- Sasu (@sasuinurpants.bsky.social)   
- Zach (@shinyhunterzach.bsky.social)

On the Eastern side, hemi (@hemicha.bsky.social; more active on Twitter @hemicha\_dayo) will cover the action play-by-play for every Eastern tournament alongside various other color commentators, who will differ based on the event. 

All events using the **International Timeslot** will be streamed in both English and Japanese; the Eastern qualifiers will be as well\! The Sendou.ink page for the Splat World Series 2026 Finals can be found here: [https://play.iplabs.ink/sws26finals](https://play.iplabs.ink/sws26finals). 

The Splat World Series 2026 Season kicks off only a few weeks from now, lasting just over four months. What will transpire between now and then? Who will our regional champions be, and how much will we get to watch them grow across the Global Gauntlets and qualifiers? Most of all, who will be the best in the world? 

Make sure you’re there to find out\! Welcome back to the Splat World Series.

English stream by [Inkling Performance Labs](https://iplabs.ink/) (@iplabs.ink on Bluesky; [Sendou.ink](https://sendou.ink/org/inkling-performance-labs))

Japanese stream by AREA CUP ([Website](https://areacup.com/), @splatzones\_glb on Twitter)

Original Posting Date: March 22, 2026 at [Splatoon Stronghold](https://www.splatoonstronghold.com/news/splat-world-series-2026)

Written and formatted for publication by [YELLOW](https://bsky.app/profile/great-hero-yellow.bsky.social).
