Marvel Rivals Ignite 2026 Preseason Kicks Off March 27 With $250K Prize Pool
Marvel Rivals Ignite 2026 Preseason begins March 27 with 18 new teams joining the league, a $250,000 prize pool, the return of SHIN-SHIBUYA to the map pool, and all matches played on Season 7 balance.
Marvel Rivals Ignite 2026 officially opens its Preseason on March 27, with 18 newly qualified teams joining the league roster to compete for a $250,000 prize pool. The Preseason doubles as the seeding engine for the regular season — no teams are eliminated, but the order of operations for Stage 1 is on the line.
Format and Schedule
Veteran teams return alongside contenders who fought their way up through MRC S6, forming the full competitive bracket for the year. The Preseason runs across three distinct stages:
Preseason Format
- Group Stage: Best-of-3 Round Robin
- Playoffs: Best-of-5 Double Elimination
- Grand Final: Best-of-7
- Prize Pool: $250,000 total
- Game Version: Season 7
Initial team seeding combines historical results with a draw, and teams advancing from MRC will be randomly assigned into groups. The Preseason runs independently within each region — EMEA, AMER, OCE and ASIA — and the results feed directly into each region's complete seeding and Stage 1 matchups.
Map Pool and Version
The map pool is getting a notable refresh: SHIN-SHIBUYA is back in rotation for Ignite play. Every match across every region will run on the Season 7 build, so the competitive balance will follow the most current balance pass rather than a frozen tournament snapshot.
Broadcast Talent
NetEase is unveiling a stacked on-air talent lineup for the broadcasts, with official coverage running across YouTube and Twitch (plus dedicated Japanese and Spanish feeds). Fans looking for schedule updates, talent confirmations and bracket breakdowns should follow @RivalsEsports on X.
Why This Preseason Matters
Preseason results won't eliminate anyone, but they set the seeding table that every Stage 1 matchup will run on. For MRC graduates, it's the first chance to prove themselves against league veterans on equal footing; for veteran teams, it's a free-data environment to experiment with strategies against the Season 7 meta before real league points are on the line. Expect plenty of tech testing, especially with SHIN-SHIBUYA back in the rotation.