Blog•Feb 19, 2026
League of Legends Patch 26.4 Sets the Stage for First Stand
Patch 26.4 is Riot Games’ final balance update before the First Stand international event, aiming to smooth the competitive meta. The patch tones down burst and late‑game scaling on dominant picks such as Aphelios, Gwen, and Syndra while giving modest buffs to under‑performers like Annie, Lux, and Udyr. Jungle champions receive monster‑damage adjustments to broaden the AP jungler pool, and Omnivamp interactions are clarified, removing healing from Smite and Ignite. Although the patch won’t be used in live play, it signals the direction of the upcoming meta.
By Esports Insider
Blog•Feb 19, 2026
France Authorises Three-Year Trial Decree for Games with Monetisable Digital Objects
France has enacted a three‑year experimental decree authorising games with monetisable digital objects (JONUM) under the oversight of the Autorité Nationale des Jeux. The framework mandates full identity verification, weekly spending and playtime caps, and mandatory self‑exclusion tools. It also...
By Esports Insider
Blog•Feb 19, 2026
Australian Esports League Joins Forces with Australian Grand Prix for Esports Tournament
The Australian Esports League has teamed up with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation to launch the Victorian Virtual Grand Prix, a student‑focused esports tournament. Primary school pupils will race in‑person on February 28 at Kingsville Primary, while secondary students compete online...
By Esports Insider
Blog•Feb 19, 2026
MOUZ vs The MongolZ Headline Opening BLAST Open Rotterdam Matches
BLAST has released the opening schedule for BLAST Open Rotterdam, kicking off on March 18 and running through March 29. The first eight matches feature MOUZ versus The MongolZ on March 19, alongside matchups such as Team Falcons vs NRG...
By Esports Insider
Blog•Feb 19, 2026
Fnatic Issues Statement Following Recent Online Player Abuse
Fnatic issued a public statement reaffirming its zero‑tolerance stance toward online abuse targeting its players, after a spike in personal attacks and death threats. The organization unveiled an action plan that includes reporting threats to authorities and imposing bans on...
By Esports Insider
Blog•Feb 19, 2026
League of Legends Americas Cup 2026 Format and Schedule Revealed
Riot Games unveiled the inaugural League of Legends Americas Cup, slated for March 4‑8 in São Paulo. The tournament pits the second‑ and third‑place teams from the LCS Lock‑In and CBLOL Cup in a double‑elimination bracket, with opening best‑of‑three matches followed by...
By Esports Insider
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
The Pokemon Pinball Machine Is Finally Real
Stern Pinball and The Pokémon Company have launched the first official Pokémon pinball machine, available in Pro ($6,999), Premium ($9,699) and Limited Edition ($12,999, 750 units). The game features four habitats, an animated Poké Ball, voice‑overs and an app‑linked collection system....
By The Gadgeteer
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
Counter-Strike Player ZywOo Becomes L’Équipe Cover Star
French Counter‑Strike star Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut will appear on the February 18 cover of L’Équipe, marking the first CS2 player to headline the nation’s historic sports newspaper. The 25‑year‑old AWPer, a three‑Major winner with Team Vitality, has helped his squad...
By Esports Insider
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
Parivision and FaZe Clan Headline PGL Bucharest 2026 Invitations
PGL has released the invitation list for its Bucharest 2026 Counter‑Strike tournament, scheduled for April 4‑11. FaZe Clan and Parivision headline a 12‑team main event, while several top‑ten VRS teams declined to prioritize IEM Rio 2026. Their spots were filled...
By Esports Insider
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
Twisted Minds Wins OWCS Pre-Season Bootcamp
Saudi‑based Twisted Minds captured the Overwatch Champions Series 2026 Pre‑Season Bootcamp in Seoul, defeating Crazy Raccoon 4‑1 in the final and pocketing $15,000 of the $25,000 pool. The victory follows their Stage 3 EMEA win and the 2025 OWCS World Finals...
By Esports Insider
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
3DMAX and paiN Gaming Eliminated From PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
French squad 3DMAX and Brazilian organization paiN Gaming were the first teams knocked out of the PGL Cluj‑Napoca 2026 CS2 tournament after failing to earn three group‑stage victories. 3DMAX lost all three best‑of‑three matches, dropping 2‑0 to Team Falcons, 2‑0...
By Esports Insider
Blog•Feb 13, 2026
BC.Game Will Not Compete in Its Sponsored CS2 Event
BC.Game announced it will not field its roster at the BC.Game Masters Counter‑Strike 2 tournament, a Tier 2 event scheduled for March 24‑26, after Valve enforced its conflict‑of‑interest policy. The rule prohibits any team from competing when the team’s title sponsor also funds...
By Esports Insider
Blog•Feb 13, 2026
Blacklyte Reveals Partnership with Six Invitational 2026
Gaming furniture maker Blacklyte has been announced as the official desk and chair sponsor for the Six Invitational 2026, the world championship for Rainbow Six Siege X. Its Athena Pro gaming chair and Atlas Lite desk will be featured on‑stage...
By Esports Insider