Esports News

The road to Masters Santiago begins with a single step – Kickoff. The VCT EMEA Kickoff for 2026 is set to begin on the 20th of January with 12 teams taking to the stage, competing and qualifying for 3 slots to the first VALORANT Masters event of the new year. Kings of old? Established order? 2026 upturns all of that with new challengers vying for control in this latest season of VCT EMEA.

With all the teams now locked in, the stage is officially set for the biggest Rainbow Six Siege X event of the year — the Six Invitational 2026. Taking place in Paris at the Adidas Arena, twenty of the world’s best teams will battle for the title of World Champion and the right to raise the iconic Hammer.

Karmine Corp’s opening debut with their new roster in the VCT EMEA 2026 Kickoff tournament did not deliver quite the brilliant opener they were hoping for. However, despite NAVI’s brilliant start to both maps, Karmine Corp managed to mount late game comebacks both times, resulting in an end result that was far from satisfactory, but not fully disappointing. Following the conclusion to the series, Strafe Esports sat down with Karmine Corp’s Head Coach Andrey “Engh” Sholokhov to speak on the team’s performance during the match, their preparation coming into their first match of 2026, his thoughts on the game’s changes since last season, and so much more in this exclusive interview.

Viktor in League of Legends is a control mage built around planning, positioning, and upgrades. His strength comes from ability augments, zone control, and high damage over time. He rewards players who manage resources well and understand spacing in fights. This guide explains Viktor’s abilities, augments, and gameplay strategy. It focuses on how his kit works, how to use it effectively, and what to expect when facing him. Viktor’s Role and Core Playstyle Viktor is usually played in the midmore

Strafe Esports had the opportunity to sit down LYON head coach Reignover to talk about the upcoming LCS 2026 season.

Strafe Esports was recently invited to attend a media event organized by the EWC (Esports World Cup). In it, an open discussion was held around EWC 2026 and beyond, answering some of the bigger questions surrounding one of the world’s biggest emerging esports tournament organizers.

Esports World Cup 2026 announced a historic $75 million prize pool. The annual event will return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 6, featuring 25 tournaments across 24 games.

The Utility Drone stands as one of the most fascinating and strategically complex minions in Hearthstone Battlegrounds, embodying the evolution of magnetization mechanics and high-tier scaling strategies. Since its introduction, this Tier 5 Mech has undergone significant transformations that reflect both the changing meta and Blizzard's approach to balancing utility-based strategies in the auto-battler format. Understanding Utility Drone's Core Design Utility Drone represents the pinnacle of magnetization scaling in Hearthstone Battlegrounds. Originally designed as a 4-mana Tier 5 Mech, the card reads: "Atmore

Rainbow Six Siege on Nintendo Switch has become one of the most popular tactical shooters in esports and gaming today, known for its strategic depth, destructible environments, and fast-paced competitive gameplay. As the Nintendo Switch remains a beloved portable gaming platform, many fans have wondered if this tactical shooter could ever be brought to the Switch. Ubisoft’s official stance has been clear for years: "It’s not possible", but what does this really mean from a technical perspective? This article divesmore

The Rainbow Six Siege Y10S4.2 update, releasing today, brings major balance adjustments and quality-of-life refinements aimed at refreshing both attacker and defender gameplay. From Thorn’s complete gadget overhaul to the return of Mozzie’s Super Shorty, players can expect meaningful meta shifts in both casual and competitive play.

Bane in Dota 2 wins fights by removing one enemy from the game, then doing it again. He does not clear waves fast or burst whole teams. He locks down key targets, drains their strength, and forces awkward saves that break enemy positioning. This article explains Bane’s lore, abilities, talents, and support playstyle using only the details provided. Who is Bane? Bane is also known as Atropos, the Bane Elemental. He formed from the midnight terrors of the goddess Nyctasha.more

2XKO is stepping into a new era with Patch 1.1.1, dropping on January 20, 2026, and bringing Season 1 to life across all platforms.

With all regional LCQs concluded, the final four teams heading to Paris for the Six Invitational 2026 have been confirmed. These squads have battled through immense regional competition to earn a shot at the most prestigious title in Rainbow Six Siege. From veteran organizations to rising underdogs, each LCQ champion carries a unique story of determination and triumph.

Later today, season 3 of CS2 Premier will come to an end. This means that in a few days CS2 Premier will enter Season 4. This means a major CS2 update after almost three months (barring the Major hub update). The last big update introduced four community maps, a new observing tool, and a new mode: Retake. So what would the upcoming CS2 Premier Season 4 have in store for us? Map Pool Change: -Train +Anubis With only a year out of the map pool, Train is already on its way out. Replacing it will be Anubis that exited themore

Melusi is a defending operator in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege who blends strong area control with a grounded, story-driven background. Introduced during Operation Steel Wave, she brings a gadget that slows attackers, creates sound cues, and shapes how rounds unfold. Her design connects gameplay mechanics with her personal history, making her one of the more coherent operators in the roster. Read further to learn where she comes from, how her gadget works, and how she fits into team play.more

Trackmania joins the Esports World Cup 2026 lineup. In this precision racing esport, 32 players from all over the world will compete in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for their share of a $500,000 prize pool.