Underdogs Shock the World as Oblivion Wins ALGS 2026 Championship
Jan 19, 2026.
The Apex Legends Global Series 2026 Championship concluded in Sapporo, Japan, with one of the most unlikely title runs in the history of the esport. Oblivion, a clubless squad that entered the tournament through the Last Chance Qualifier, captured the ALGS Championship after a dramatic Match Point Finals victory at the Daiwa House PREMIST DOME.
Facing 39 of the best teams in the world, Oblivion delivered a consistent and composed performance throughout the four-day event. After reaching the Match Point threshold, the trio secured the championship-winning victory in the ninth game of the Finals, finishing with 86 total points. Their run marked the first time an LCQ team has won an ALGS Championship, cementing Oblivion’s place in Apex Legends history.
Team Falcons and ENTER FORCE.36 finished second and third, respectively, both ending the Finals on 75 points. GROW Gaming and S8UL Esports rounded out the top five, highlighting the depth of international competition on display in Japan, with players from Australia, South Korea, the United States, and beyond represented near the top of the standings.
From Riyadh to Sapporo
Several teams that competed at the 2025 Esports World Cup returned to the global stage in Sapporo, bringing with them experience from one of the highest-pressure LAN environments of the year.
S8UL Esports, an Indian club fielding an Australian roster, delivered a standout performance at the ALGS Championship. The team finished fifth overall, marking a significant improvement over its 15th-place finish in Riyadh. The result reflected steady growth since the Esports World Cup and reinforced S8UL’s status as a rising force in international Apex Legends.
Other familiar EWC competitors also made deep runs. TSM advanced into the later stages of the tournament, once again demonstrating its ability to perform on the biggest stages. Teams such as FNATIC and Ninjas in Pyjamas secured top 10 finishes, showing consistency across multiple global events in a highly competitive year.
While not every former EWC contender reached the Finals, their presence throughout the Championship underscored how the Esports World Cup has become an important proving ground for teams preparing to challenge for ALGS titles.
Road to EWC
With the ALGS 2026 Championship complete, attention now turns toward the next competitive cycle and the Road to EWC. ALGS Year 6 will once again feed directly into the EWC ecosystem, with the Split 1 Playoffs set to take place at the Esports World Cup 2026 in Riyadh.
These playoffs will play a critical role in shaping the early Championship picture, offering teams a chance to earn major prize money and valuable momentum against the world’s best. For teams chasing international success, the Road to EWC is already underway.
