War Thunder Unveils Ambitious 2026 Championship Series with Expanded Prize Pools

War Thunder developer Gaijin Entertainment unveiled comprehensive plans for the War Thunder Championship Series (WTCS) 2026 on Wednesday, February 11, outlining an ambitious competitive structure featuring enhanced prize pools and a refined format based on lessons learned from the 2025 season. The announcement signals the esports title's commitment to building a sustainable competitive ecosystem for the military vehicle combat simulation game.

The 2026 season will feature a Professional League with a total cash prize pool of €30,000, representing a significant investment in the competitive scene. Teams competing at the highest level will battle throughout the year across multiple Major events, with the season culminating in decisive Grand Finals that will crown the WTCS 2026 champion. The structured approach is designed to provide consistent high-level competition while maintaining clear progression from early-season tournaments to the championship finale.

For teams competing in the Challenger League, Gaijin has allocated more than 500,000 Golden Eagles in prizes, along with opportunities to win vehicle packs and rare vehicle coupons throughout the season. This tier provides a pathway for developing teams to prove themselves and potentially advance to the Professional League. The dual-tier structure ensures competitive opportunities exist for players at different skill levels while maintaining the prestige of top-tier competition.

Team composition requirements for 2026 specify that rosters must include a minimum of four players and a maximum of seven players for each Major event. Teams will be permitted one player change per roster for each Major, providing flexibility while maintaining team continuity. For the Grand Finals, the roster limit expands to a maximum of eight players, allowing teams to bring additional depth for the season's most important tournament.

In a significant enhancement to individual player recognition, the WTCS 2026 will award the season's Most Valuable Player and the top three players with substantial prizes. The MVP will receive €1,500 along with the official WTCS Season 2026 MVP title, while the second and third-place finishers in individual rankings will also receive financial rewards. This focus on individual achievement alongside team success adds another dimension to the competitive season and provides additional motivation for elite players to showcase their skills throughout the year. The announcement demonstrates War Thunder's evolution as a competitive esports title and its commitment to supporting both professional and aspiring teams in the military simulation genre.