---
title: "March + April 2026 LANs"
date: 2026-02-26
author:
   - name: YELLOW
     link: https://sendou.ink/u/great-hero-yellow
---

#### *Two months of LANs so across the board that even Splatoon for the Wii U is making a comeback*

<img width="1200" height="630" alt="Stronghold_LANs_header_MarchApril" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/361912ed-4676-4686-b57b-42e3a506babe" />

With North America’s LAN Championship Showdown a little more than two months away, the stakes are getting higher and higher. To top it off, a handful of new LANs and yearly gatherings are taking place, making it a great season to travel out\!

## **March 2026**

### **Midwest Battleground 2026 \- March 6–8 (Illinois, United States)**

Kicking off the bimonthly roundup is a brand-new Splatoon LAN in Chicagoland: Midwest Battleground\! The LAN currently has over 400 attendees signed up across 10+ games, for a three-day weekend of action.

The LAN will be hosted at the Sheraton Lisle Naperville. The Splatoon 3 event is Sunday only, so participants can choose between a one-day or three-day pass at registration when signing up on [start.gg](https://www.start.gg/tournament/midwest-battleground-2026/details). Spectators can also purchase a pass of their choosing, but **must** purchase their pass on the [DuPage Sports Commission site](https://www.discoverdupage.com/sports/events/midwest-battleground/spectator-tickets/).

There will not be any controllers or equipment available to rent; per the event’s Splatoon 3 rulebook, competitors need to bring their Switch (Nintendo Switch 2 is not eligible), game, controller, and 3.5mm headset. Questions about equipment and accommodations can be directed to the event’s [Discord](https://discord.gg/Rs5wdsTSGm).

<img width="1000" height="577" alt="spl3openbracket_midwestbattleground" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c6c76579-d2ce-4bba-a96d-e2d968b3fd61" />

Midwest Battleground begins on Friday, March 6th and runs through Sunday, March 8th, with the Splatoon 3 tournament on Sunday starting at 11:30 AM. Registration is open until March 7th at 3 AM EST, with a $700 minimum prize pool on the line, so don’t pass up attending this big event\! 

### **VanCoral Mini 2 \- March 7 (Vancouver, Canada)**

West Canada’s VanCoral LAN returns to the University of British Columbia for their Esports Gaming Expo\! The UBC AMS Student Nest is the venue location, and on site you’ll find options for food and drinks, and at this event in particular, they are advertising a large artist’s alley with variety\!

To participate in the Splatoon tournament, you’ll need the game and your Switch, and a controller as well. Headsets are highly recommended, as they will not be provided. The event is capped at six (6) teams, so think about registering soon\!

Not competing or planning on some down time? Check out the University’s [Gaming Expo webpage](https://www.ubcesports.ca/gaming-expo/) for a list of other events taking place, including a list of panels and a scavenger hunt\!

VanCoral Mini 2 at UBC’s Esports Gaming Expo starts at 12 PM; the Splatoon 3 tournament plans to begin at 3:30 PM in Room 2506\. For more information, registration, and a Discord link, you can visit the event’s [Sendou.ink](https://sendou.ink/to/2763/register) page.

### **GatorLAN Spring 2026 \- March 7–8 (Florida, United States)**

GatorLAN, Southeast US’s largest free gaming event, features two days of gaming across different platforms. Panels, contests, board games, crafts, and more are part of the University of Florida’s 50+ tournament LAN. This event will be GatorLAN’s LCS qualifying event–*can they come out on top two years in a row?* 

The venue is located inside the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. The event requires everyone to bring their own setups, which includes consoles, controllers, computers, games, etc., so if you plan to participate, pack accordingly\! 

It is encouraged to bring extra setups for others to use in case of an emergency; if you are able to, there is a form to fill out on GatorLAN’s [start.gg](https://www.start.gg/tournament/gatorlan-spring-2026/details) page. Bringing an extra setup for others to use will give you an additional entry into any giveaways as a bonus\!

GatorLAN’s spring edition will run Saturday and Sunday, March 7–8th beginning at 11 AM. All events, unless otherwise specified on start.gg, will be one-day only. The tournament will be streamed on [Twitch](https://www.twitch.tv/SplatoonTourney), courtesy of SplatoonTourney.

### **Chi-Shoals \#41 \- March 21 (Illinois, United States)**

Chi-Shoals, which is Illinois’ long-running Splatoon LAN, has its 41st iteration as their LCS qualifying event\! Organized by SquidWest and hosted at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago, Chi-Shoals is open to players of all ages and skills.

Those competing will need to take note: the format of this event is a 4v4 Double Elimination bracket, which is different from their usual Groups-into-Single Elimination format. Participants need to bring their Nintendo Switch, copy of Splatoon 3, headset, and a controller. The main event will be streamed on the [SquidWest Twitch Channel](https://twitch.tv/squidwest)\!

Chi-Shoals \#41, on Saturday, March 21st, precedes Chi-Shoals \#42, which will be the Salmon Run edition\! More information can be found on SquidWest’s [Challonge](https://challonge.com/communities/SquidWest) page.

### **LAN of 10,000 Lakes \#1 \- March 21 (Minnesota, United States)**

Another brand-new LAN local popping up, over in Minnesota: LAN of 10,000 Lakes\! Located in the RTM Gaming Lounge in a wheelchair-accessible office building and with plenty of space to grow as the community does, this LAN is setting itself up with a lot of potential\! 

The tournament begins with a Swiss Play-All-Three seeding round with no eliminations, into a Best of 3 Double Elimination bracket, transitioning to a Best of 5 in Winner’s Finals/Loser’s Semi-Finals. Spectators can watch the action unfold on a large projection screen\! 

To play, participants will need to bring their Switch and game, controller, and headset. Those bringing their own Switch dock and allowing others to use it for the duration of the event will receive a $2 off discount on their registration fee. Switch 2 owners can participate, but will **need** to bring their own Switch 2 dock and LAN cables.

LAN of 10,000 Lakes debuts on Saturday, March 21st, 2026, at the RunTheMix Gaming Lounge in Roseville, Minnesota. Venue doors open at 12 PM; the event starts at 1 PM and is anticipated to run until 5-6 PM. [Start.gg](https://www.start.gg/tournament/lan-of-10-000-lakes-1/details) has venue directions and entrance instructions, as well as tournament rules, Discord invitation, and registration.

### **Fullwipe 2026 \- March 21–22 (Lyon, France)**

France’s yearly Splatoon LAN is returning to the Gones Games expo in Lyon, France, at Foire de Lyon\! Since 2022, Fullwipe has been the French scene’s largest Splatoon gathering, hosted by EsportBrosTV. The two-day event holds far more than just Splatoon, for spectators and participants alike.

<img width="600" height="600" alt="Fullwipe_pyon" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8b4a4d59-6536-4106-a439-db66c1005483" />

*Illustration done by [Pyon](https://bsky.app/profile/reapyon.bsky.social) for Fullwipe 2026\.*

During [Gones Games](https://www.foiredelyon.com/content/gones-games), attendees can find in-person gaming stations, an artist’s alley, other merchandise from retailers, exhibitions, live music, and more\! The expo even promises a space showcasing the Nintendo Switch 2, where attendees, “will be able to discover it through tournaments, challenges, free games, quizzes and game discovery sessions, accessible to all audiences”. 

The Splatoon 3 tournament is capped at 32 teams, and the format is a Group Stage followed by a Single Elimination finals bracket. Per the website, “Matches will be played on Nintendo Switch 1 (Standard and OLED) using a Pro Controller. As an exception, each team is permitted only one Nintendo Switch 2”. 

Docks and headsets will be provided, so tournament participants just need their Switch, game, and Pro Controller. Charging all devices in advance is recommended by tournament staff.

Fullwipe 2026 at Gones Games will be held from March 21st through the 22nd in Hall 2\. Doors open at 10 AM, with Wave 1 of the Group Stage on Saturday starting at 12 PM, and Alpha and Bravo brackets beginning at 10 AM on Sunday. Registration, directions, ruleset and more can be found on [EsportBrosTV’s website](https://fullwipe.esportbros.tv/).

### **Anarchy NoVA 3 \- March 28 (Virginia, United States)**

From the United States’ DMV area is Anarchy NoVA\! The hosting venue is The Outer Limits video arcade in Ashburn, Virginia. Unlike the last event, both registration and payment can be completed on [start.gg](https://www.start.gg/tournament/anarchy-nova-3/details) and not required at the door, and this also serves as their LCS qualifier\!

The cap for the tournament is 12 teams, but there is no cap for spectators\! Tournament participants need to bring their Nintendo Switch, controller, 3.5mm headset, and Splatoon 3\. The organizers highly recommend charging your equipment ahead of time.

Anarchy NoVA 3 takes place on Saturday, March 28th. The Outer Limits’ doors open at 11 AM, and the group stage starts at 12 PM, with all teams making it to bracket. If you want to watch from home, you can see it streamed on [SplatoonTourney’s Twitch Channel](https://www.twitch.tv/SplatoonTourney)\!

### **HI-SCORE Splatoon LAN \#1 \- March 29 (Hannover, Germany)**

Closing out March is another brand-new LAN, coming from Germany’s [HI-SCORE video game museum](https://hi-score.org/)\! HI-SCORE is a combination arcade-museum, with all-original consoles for visitors to play on. As the LAN name suggests, HI-SCORE Splatoon LAN \#1 is the venue’s first-ever Splatoon LAN. 

The tournament is capped at 16 teams. Players need their Nintendo Switch, game, and controller. For those who want to play on their Nintendo Switch 2, they must also bring their Switch 2 dock, power cable, and HDMI cable with the other items listed.

<img width="1000" height="676" alt="HI-SCORE" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/aaf1dd9a-43a3-4739-978c-ec92d036ec44" />

*Promo illustration for HI-SCORE Splatoon LAN \#1 from [Leblanc Hideout](https://bsky.app/profile/leblanchideout.bsky.social).*

Between games, attendees are free to explore the museum and test out a variety of arcade machines and consoles, ranging from 1972 to the present, including exclusive and very rare ones you may not see elsewhere\! 

The HI-SCORE Splatoon LAN \#1 is located at the HI-SCORE museum in Hannover, Germany, organized by Leblanc Hideout. The event is on Sunday, March 29th, and registration can be done in advance on [start.gg](https://www.start.gg/tournament/hi-score-splatoon-lan-1/details). Questions can be directed to the event’s [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/hi-score) server.

## **April 2026**

### **SeaBATTLE\! Royale 2026 \- April 4 (Washington, United States)**

The ninth SeaBATTLE\! is a double-serving of special: not only is it their two-year anniversary, but it is their LCS qualifying event\! Participate in a 4v4 Splatoon 3 tournament, Salmon Run side event, play pool, visit the artist’s alley, or enjoy the rest of The HUB at University of Washington’s Esports Gaming Lounge.

Those playing in the tournament need their Switch, controller, Splatoon 3, and 3.5mm headset with mic. Nintendo Switch 2 will be allowed if a player has no other option, but they will need to bring their own Switch 2 dock and adapter, labeled.

Players interested in the Salmon Run event can sign up either online or on-site. Those who will be playing in both the tournament and Salmon Run event are asked to sign up for Salmon Run in advance online so TOs can accommodate the two event schedules.

SeaBATTLE\! Royale 2026 is hosted at The HUB at University of Washington in Seattle, Washington on Saturday, April 4th, 2026\. Check-in starts at 11 AM, and the Group Stage starts at 12 PM. More event information, including a Discord invitation and schedule, can be found on SeaBATTLE’s [start.gg](https://www.start.gg/tournament/seabattle-royale-2026/details) page.

SplatoonTourney will be streaming this event on [Twitch](https://www.twitch.tv/SplatoonTourney)\!

### **H-Town Splashdown \#7: Blastoff \- April 11 (Texas, United States)**

H-Town Splashdown is Houston, Texas’s local LAN, located at Game Guys in Almeda Mall. This event will be Texas’s LAN Championship Showdown qualifier, and already has nine teams signed up to fight for their ticket to the LCS\!

The venue will already have monitors and setups available for players, so players will only need to bring their own Nintendo Switch console, copy of Splatoon 3, a headset, and controller. Registration ends one week before the event, on April 5th, so plan accordingly. 

H-Town Splashdown \#7: Blastoff hits Houston, Texas on Saturday, April 11, 2026; if you plan to attend, your team will need to be registered on the [start.gg](https://www.start.gg/tournament/h-town-splashdown-7-blastoff/details) page—the Texas Splatoon Discord is linked on the page and will help team-less players buddy up\! Can’t attend but still want to watch? [SplatoonTourney on Twitch](https://www.twitch.tv/SplatoonTourney) is your destination\! 

### **Big Dapple 10: The Golden Gala \- April 11 (New York, United States)**

New York’s Big Dapple wants you to come dressed to impress for their tenth edition and LCS qualifier\! The theme is the “Grand Gala”: semi-formal attire is encouraged, as well as cosplays, or whatever you can be most comfortable in\! The dress code is not enforced.

Commute routes to OS NYC are in abundance, with options including parking garages and subway lines, providing access to all attendees. A detailed list of routes and garages can be found on the [start.gg](https://www.start.gg/tournament/big-dapple-10-the-golden-gala/details) page, including a community-curated list of cool things to do outside of the LAN\!

The tournament permits use of Nintendo Switch 2s, but those using them must bring their docks and adapters, and be willing to allow others to use the equipment if needed. Competitors also need their controller, game, and 3.5mm headset. 

The main Splatoon 3 tournament will be streamed on the [GenGame Twitch Channel](https://www.twitch.tv/gengame). TOs are planning for extra side events throughout the day, and attendees—including spectators—can play at LAN stations while they are not in use for the tournament.

Big Dapple 10: The Golden Gala opens at 11 AM ET on Saturday, April 11th, 2026 at OS NYC. Spectator passes are also available, both online and in-person. Event registration must be done online and closes on March 28th, two weeks before the LAN.

### **CALternative \- April 11 (California, United States)**

The same folks who created southern California’s LAN local CALterna now bring you CALternative: a Splatoon (2015) LAN. Yes, that’s right: time to dust off those Wii Us and return to where it all began in the year 2026, hosted at B.Y.O. Games in Los Angeles\! 

![800px-SplatoonWiiUWeapons](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/26091e0c-dfa1-47d5-a4d3-abb6effc1be7)

Although the name of the venue implies “Bring Your Own Games”, the hosts will be providing the Wii Us, copies of Splatoon, controllers, and screens. All available consoles will have the exact same gear, so one setup won’t be “better” than another. All players need to bring are their own 3.5mm headsets and their best Splatoon 1 skills\! 

CALternative takes you back nearly a decade on April 11th, 2026, at B.Y.O. Games, where the venue will open at 1 PM. The tournament is planned to begin around 2 PM. The tournament will be streamed on [Pickpickles’s Twitch](https://twitch.tv/pickpickles). For more information, check out the event’s [start.gg](https://www.start.gg/tournament/calternative/details) page.

### **New InkLAN \#6 \- April 12 (Massachusetts, United States)**

New InkLAN, hosted by the New England Squids, is Massachusetts’s LAN local. Previously hosted at the Balance Patch venue, for their 6th iteration, they have moved to Game Underground, a video game/TCG/arcade located in Waltham. This also serves as New InkLAN’s LCS qualifying event\!

Competitors are encouraged to bring their own setups, which include: Switch, dock, and LAN cables. Spectators can also bring setups to play at when stations aren’t in use. Are you a student? Check out the New InkLAN \#6 [start.gg](https://www.start.gg/tournament/new-inklan-6/details) page to see how you can get a discount on your registration\!

Participants are encouraged to sign up early; registration prices increase the longer you wait, and at its latest stage (3/29 \- 4/11), discounts are not available. All passes (spectator and competitor) include access to the rest of Game Underground’s venue.

New InkLAN \#6 takes place on Sunday, April 12th, 2026; for more info, reach out to the [New England Squids Discord](https://discord.com/invite/FvgmCDsjfn) to get in touch with tournament staff. The tournament will also be available to watch on [SplatoonTourney’s Twitch channel](https://www.twitch.tv/SplatoonTourney).

### **Sunset Surge: Blossom Blitz \- April 18 (Arizona, United States)**

Sunset Surge is one of two Arizona LANs (Backyard Brawl, we didn’t forget you\!), which takes place at the ASU Esports Arena. Blossom Blitz is their LCS qualifier; last year, Arizona took 2nd place at the LAN Championship Showdown–with 12 teams in the fray this year, can they go the distance? 

For the 16-team-capped main tournament, players have until April 11th at 11:59 PM to register, either solo or with a team. All teammates will need to register for the event on the [start.gg](https://www.start.gg/tournament/sunset-surge-blossom-blitz-2026/details) page, and anyone without a team can use the [Sunset Surge \- Arizona Splatoon Discord](https://discord.com/invite/xmcsyFPrKN)’s \#looking-for-team channel to find one.

Want to get to work over the weekend? You can also sign up for a Salmon Run side event\! While not playing, you can take in the artist venue area and see some of Sunset Surge’s most gorgeous art yet\!

<img width="1000" height="499" alt="blossomblitz" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/75aae20a-6c59-4762-bc18-058e5fc49861" />

*Banner image for Sunset Surge: Blossom Blitz, logo created by [Bugslap](https://bsky.app/profile/bugslap.com).*

Registration for Sunset Surge: Blossom Blitz ends on Saturday, April 11th—one week before the event—so watch the dates if you plan to participate\! The LAN is on Saturday, April 18, 2026, and the tournament will be streamed on [SplatoonTourney’s Twitch Channel](https://www.twitch.tv/SplatoonTourney).

### **Don't Flounder at the Function 2 | Spring Break \- April 18 (North Carolina, United States)**

Don’t Flounder at the Function, North Carolina’s newest local, hot off of its first run in January, is ready to crown their first LCS team\! This LAN is sponsored by New Game Plus+; the hosting venue is the North Carolina Esports Academy in Cary. 

The Splatoon 3 tournament has a cap of 12 teams, but spectators are just as welcome to attend. Registration can be done online at [start.gg](https://www.start.gg/tournament/don-t-flounder-at-the-function-2-spring-break/details), and includes poster bundles for those who want to guarantee a takeaway. Spectator passes can also be purchased at the door day-of.

Competitors need their Nintendo Switch, 3.5mm headset, controller (handheld players will be accommodated), and Splatoon 3, and bringing your Switch 1 dock is encouraged by staff. Nintendo Switch 2 is not eligible for this event.

Don’t Flounder at the Function 2 | Spring Break, the final LAN before the LAN Championship Showdown, is on Saturday, April 18; the Group Stage will begin at approximately 1:30 PM. [SplatoonTourney2](https://www.twitch.tv/SplatoonTourney2) will be streaming the event on Twitch for viewers at home.

### **Nittany Nouveau \- April 25–26 (Pennsylvania, United States)**

The Splatoon Club at Penn State University invites all to PSU’s final spring 2026 Splatoon event\! Student status not required, just a love for the game. Or for Mario Kart, which is being held as a side event during Nittany Nouveau. 

The tournament is split into two Splatoon events: one Collegiate Event, and one regular Splatoon 3 event. As mentioned earlier, Mario Kart will be held as a side event; depending on the number of available setups, it will be either Mario Kart World or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Questions about anything that cannot be found on the event’s [start.gg](https://www.start.gg/tournament/nittany-nouveau-splatoon-club-penn-state-spring-finale/details) page can be directed to either the PSU Splatoon Club’s email or Discord server (links to both on the event’s registration page). 

Nittany Nouveau at Penn State University will be spread out across Saturday, April 25th and Sunday, April 26th, 2026\. Registration closes on April 18th, one week ahead of the event. 

### **LAN Championship Showdown 2026 \- April 26 (Online)**

You’ve heard the hype. You’ve seen it brewing over the first four months of 2026\. It’s time to find out who the best LAN local in North America is\! From Torontoroka to Don’t Flounder at the Function 2, twelve LANs have all sent their winners tickets to the LAN Championship Showdown invitational. 

<img width="1000" height="667" alt="LCS2026Map" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e7b54e64-d775-4b83-b9c4-afe33454ac7b" />

[*SplatoonTourney’s*](https://bsky.app/profile/splatoontourney.bsky.social) *LAN Championship Showdown 2026 Qualifiers Map.*

These LANs represent the LCS: 

* Anarchy NoVA (Ashburn, Virginia)  
* Big Dapple (New York, New York)  
* Booyah Bay (San Jose, California)  
* Chi-Shoals (Chicago, Illinois)  
* Don’t Flounder at the Function (Cary, North Carolina)  
* GatorLAN (Gainesville, Florida)  
* H-Town Splashdown (Houston, Texas)  
* New InkLAN (Waltham, Massachusetts)  
* SeaBATTLE\! (Seattle, Washington)  
* SoCallie (Irvine, California)  
* Sunset Surge (Tempe, Arizona)  
* Torontoroka (Toronto, Ontario)

Last year, GatorLAN took home the first place gold, with Sunset Surge taking silver and Big Dapple getting bronze. LCS 2025 only had eight teams; 2026 has expanded to twelve teams. The action finds a home on [SplatoonTourney’s Twitch channel](https://www.twitch.tv/SplatoonTourney), on Sunday, April 26th, 2026\. 

With all of the locals continuing in 2026 and new ones preparing to debut, we may see an even bigger LAN Championship Showdown in 2027, representing even more Splatoon communities across the continent\! 

Want an easier way to see which LANs are coming up and nearest to you, without waiting for a bimonthly article? Splatoon Stronghold has an interactive LAN map, with LANs across the globe\! Find it at [https://www.splatoonstronghold.com/lan-map](https://www.splatoonstronghold.com/lan-map)\!

Original Posting Date: February 26, 2026 at [Splatoon Stronghold](https://www.splatoonstronghold.com/news/march-april-2026-lans)

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