The journey to SMASH 2026 begins! Riot Games Philippines has recently unveiled a more accessible and community-focused Wild Rift 2026 Roadmap guaranteed to also deliver greater competitiveness in community championship.
This year’s Wild Rounds: SMASH will feature creator showmatches, turning the tournament into the ultimate celebration of the global Wild Rift community. The world’s leading game developer also unveiled the Wild Rift Creator and Nexus Elite Programs, new creator-led initiatives designed to set the standard for collaborations with mobile gaming content creators.
Deemed the pinnacle of Wild Rift organized play, the 2026 Wild Rounds: SMASH promises a global, community-first celebration that blends accessible competition, creator expression and in-game moments to turn player passion into participation, content and sustained engagement. In its third edition, SMASH 2026 will feature two separate tracks: the Community Champions Cup and the Creator Showmatches.
Headlined by top players from each market, the Community Champions Cup track this year promises explosive Rift actions from global communities competing for Wild Rift supremacy. Meanwhile, winners from the Wild Rounds’ Creator Track will go head-to-head at the Creator Showmatches at SMASH 2026.
Road to SMASH: Tournament format and qualifications
In the lead-up to SMASH 2026, Riot Games is holding playoffs for gaming communities and content creators from Brazil, China, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam and Turkey.
In the Philippines, the Road to SMASH 2026 is being done through the official local qualifier Wild Rounds: Pilipinas Open, which started last June 4. Participating teams are currently battling it out at Wild Rounds: Pilipinas Open’s Split 1, which will run until July.
For teams that are still interested in the local open tournament, the registration for Split 2 will begin on July 6. Wild Rounds: Pilipinas Open will culminate on September 25 to 27, where the top eight teams from both splits will battle it out to compete for the Php1 million total prize pool.
From August to September 2026, Riot Games will also open a separate creator track for the Wild Rounds: Pilipinas Open, where gaming creators will be challenged to Wild Rift’s various game modes, including AARAM and 2v2.
Winners from Wild Rounds: Pilipinas Open’s community and creator tracks will then fly to South Korea in November to represent the country in SMASH 2026.
Wild Rift Unveils 6C: Dragon Calling and 6D: Rhythms of Memory
Riot Games is also unveiling its latest 6C and 6D Patch Updates to amp up the global momentum for SMASH 2026.
6C: Growing Us and 6D: Rhythms of Memory build on 6A: Ionia Celebrations and 6B: Wild Circuit, which dropped in February and April earlier this year. Soon, players will travel from 6A’s snow-covered Ionian Rift and 6B’s mini-seasons and experimental labs and enter 6C’s global anniversary celebration and 6D’s nostalgic festivities.
The Wild Rounds: Pilipinas Open’s Split 1 is running on 6B: Wild Circuit. In July, Riot Games will drop the 6C: Growing Us, serving as the main patch for the Wild Rounds: Pilipinas Open qualifiers and the celebration of Wild Rift’s anniversary.
Meanwhile, 6D: Rhythms of Memory will be released by the end of September, just in time for the SMASH 2026 finals in South Korea.
Wild Rift Opens 2 new programs for creators of all sizes
Beyond SMASH 2026, Riot Games is rapidly growing its network of influencer collaborators via the new Wild Rift Partner and Nexus Elite Programs.
The Wild Rift Partner Program offers members early-access information on the game’s latest updates via private Discord access. Members will also be invited to exclusive events and workshops, deepening their connection with Wild Rift.
The Nexus Elite is a select group of creators who will lead Wild Rift’s ecosystem in the Philippines. The roster spans cosplayers, casters, community leaders and competitive players. It also includes current and up-and-coming names in the mobile gaming community such as OHMYV33NUS, WISE, Yamada, Karma, Guiang Gaming, Vannybear, Raux TV, Kapitan Pugo, Rebengga, Kitz Cua, Razziebinx, Trio Pebbles, Manjean and Coach Rec.
“Filipinos are some of our most passionate Wild Rift players in the world. Their love for the game has inspired us to continue growing our Philippine ecosystem and open more doors to anyone who wants to take part in it,” said Lara Antonio, Wild Rift APAC regional community lead. “By bolstering our community competitions and connecting with creators of all sizes, we are confident that we will put more Filipino gaming talent on the map during SMASH 2026 and beyond.”
From creator programs to more competitive opportunities, Riot Games is rapidly expanding the Wild Rift ecosystem in the Philippines. For more updates on how communities and creators can take part in this ecosystem, stay tuned to League of Legends: Wild Rift’s official Facebook, Instagram and TikTok pages.
