KWC starts on 30 July
Quick answer: BOOM Esports, Titan Esports Club and Blacklist International are the Philippines' three representatives at the Honor of Kings World Cup 2026. Blacklist begins in the Play-In against Deep Cross Gaming; BOOM and Titan are part of the wider 20-team field.
Why this World Cup matters to Philippine fans
KWC at EWC26 is the first edition designed as a direct crossover between the Honor of Kings and Arena of Valor competitive ecosystems. That makes the Philippine Kings League delegation part of a wider regional test: three local organizations are not only facing other HoK teams, but also elite AoV/RoV champions from Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan.
The Philippines sends BOOM Esports, Titan Esports Club and Blacklist International. Their qualification gives the country one of the largest national organization footprints in the tournament, alongside Malaysia's three teams.
The three Philippine teams
| Team | Qualification route | Starting point |
|---|---|---|
| BOOM Esports | Philippine Kings League Spring 2026 | 20-team KWC field |
| Titan Esports Club | Philippine Kings League Spring 2026 | 20-team KWC field |
| Blacklist International | Philippine Kings League Spring 2026 | Play-In Group B |
Opening Play-In pairings
| Group | Opening series |
|---|---|
| A | Buriram United vs Team Flash |
| A | S8UL Esports vs Influence Rage |
| B | Nongshim RedForce vs OG Esports |
| B | Deep Cross Gaming vs Blacklist International |
The title-specific Honor of Kings release confirms the July 30 start and the tournament format, but the accessible release does not provide an exact official time for all four opening series. Check the official matchday schedule or broadcast before tuning in.
Tournament calendar and format
| Stage | Dates | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Play-In | 30–31 July | 8 teams, two double-elimination groups, Bo3; top two per group advance |
| Group Stage | 1–4 August | 16 teams, four double-elimination groups, Bo3; top two advance |
| Quarterfinals | 5–6 August | Single elimination, Bo7 |
| Semifinals | 7 August | Bo7 |
| Third place / Final | 8 August | Bo5 / Bo7 |
HoK and AoV on one tournament patch
The dedicated EWC tournament build is based on Honor of Kings Season 15 and opens a 111-hero pool. Global Ban & Pick prevents a team from repeatedly using the same heroes across one series, rewarding wide hero pools and rapid adaptation. For Philippine teams accustomed to the PKL environment, the cross-title patch is the biggest strategic variable.
Where to watch
Use the official Honor of Kings Esports and Esports World Cup channels as the primary reference. A Philippines-specific broadcaster or co-stream should only be treated as confirmed after a first-party announcement.
Live results policy
FAQ
When does KWC 2026 run?
From 30 July to 8 August 2026 in Paris.
Which Philippine teams qualified?
BOOM Esports, Titan Esports Club and Blacklist International.
Who does Blacklist play first?
Deep Cross Gaming in Play-In Group B.
How many teams compete?
Twenty teams.
Is this an Honor of Kings-only event?
No. It brings together teams from the Honor of Kings and Arena of Valor ecosystems on a dedicated tournament patch.
Where can viewers in the Philippines watch?
Start with the official Honor of Kings Esports and Esports World Cup channels; verify any local-language stream before relying on it.
Sources
- Honor of Kings release, 1 July 2026 — dates, 20 teams, cross-title format and team list.
- Official KWC tournament format/rulebook — Play-In, Group Stage and Playoff structure.
- Kim Quy 88 verification update — 30 July 2026.
