Ubisoft has announced a sweeping overhaul of the Rainbow Six Siege esports ecosystem for the 2026 season, outlining a year-long global calendar designed to create a clearer qualification path and more consistent competition across all tiers.
According to an announcement published on Ubisoft’s official Rainbow Six Esports blog on December 16th, the 2026 season will introduce structural changes spanning the Challenger Series, regional leagues and international events, culminating in qualification for the Six Invitational.
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The publisher said the aim of the new structure is to position the entire competitive year as ‘one connected global journey,’ from tier-two competition through to the scene’s premier international tournament.
A Year-Long Rainbow Six Esports Calendar
Under the new system, the competitive season began earlier and ran with fewer gaps. The Challenger Series took place in February and March, giving Tier 2 teams, open qualifier rosters and relegated Tier 1 squads a clear route back to top-level competition.
A newly introduced Season Kickoff event followed in April, serving as the first high-stakes competition for tier-one teams. The short-format event awarded Six Invitational (SI) Points, qualification spots for the May Major and a prize pool, with Ubisoft stating that early results could define a team’s season.
Two global Majors were confirmed for May and November, bringing international competition back to a more traditional cadence. Ubisoft also confirmed that the Esports World Cup (EWC) would be formally integrated into the Rainbow Six esports circuit as a mid-season event in August.
While most placements at EWC would not award SI Points, the winning team secured a direct qualification spot for the Six Invitational, becoming the first organisation of the season to do so. Regional Stages were scheduled for June –July and September–October across all regions. Every placement in these stages awarded SI Points, making regional consistency a primary factor in Six Invitational qualification.
As part of the restructure, regional league finals were removed for 2026. Ubisoft stated that SI Points earned across the season would now serve as the main qualification method for the Six Invitational.
Changes for Teams and Fans
Ubisoft said the revised format was intended to make the competitive ecosystem more transparent, with fewer isolated tournaments and a clearer progression from regional play to global events.
The publisher added that more details about the 2026 season would be shared at the upcoming Six Invitational, including information on open qualifier sign-ups for the Challenger Series.
Rainbow Six Siege esports has undergone several structural adjustments in recent years, with Ubisoft continuing to refine its global circuit as the title maintains a strong international competitive presence.
Source: https://esportsinsider.com/
