The announcement solidifies PUBG’s competitive framework, offering financial stability and brand exposure that can attract sponsors and elevate the overall esports market. It also creates a clear pathway for emerging teams, fostering deeper regional competition and talent development.
The PUBG Global Series (PGS) has become a cornerstone of the battle‑royale esports landscape, and the 2026 partner team reveal underscores the franchise’s maturation. By locking in twelve elite organizations, Krafton ensures a stable core of competitors that can consistently deliver high‑quality content for fans and sponsors alike. The guaranteed tournament slots remove the uncertainty of qualification, allowing teams to focus on long‑term roster building, strategic meta development, and fan engagement initiatives.
Financial incentives are a key differentiator in the new partner program. Revenue‑sharing skin releases give teams a direct share of in‑game purchases, turning virtual cosmetics into a sustainable income stream. Coupled with annual support funding, organizations can invest in coaching staff, analytics tools, and player welfare, aligning esports operations with traditional sports franchise models. This financial backbone not only attracts larger corporate sponsors but also encourages investment from venture capital seeking stable returns in the fast‑growing gaming sector.
For the broader competitive ecosystem, the program’s open pathway via the Challengers circuit maintains merit‑based access, preserving the aspirational ladder for up‑and‑coming squads. Regional Series performance now directly influences PGS qualification, incentivizing local organizers to elevate production standards and prize pools. As Krafton tightens its ecosystem, the ripple effect is likely to boost viewership, advertising revenue, and cross‑platform brand partnerships, cementing PUBG’s position among the premier esports titles worldwide.
By James Fudge · February 11, 2026 · Reading time: 2 minutes
PUBG Global Series 2026 partnered teams announced.
PUBG Esports announced this week the 12 global partner teams for the PUBG Global Series (PGS) 2026 season.
The 12 teams joining us as Global Partner Teams for the 2026 season are:
17 Gaming
4AM
Anyone’s Legend
DN SOOPers
eArena
FULL SENSE
Gen.G Esports
Natus Vincere
Petrichor Road
Team Falcons
Twisted Minds
Virtus.pro
PUBG Esports said in its announcement that a number of teams around the world “expressed interest in the Partner Program amid fierce competition, and selecting just 12 was not an easy decision.”
In case you are not familiar with it, the global partner teams program gives teams a number of benefits including guaranteed entry to all PGS series competitions (including four Global Circuits per season), exclusive team‑edition skin releases in the game with revenue sharing, and annual team support funding to help teams “prepare for the season with stability.” Team support helps organizations focus on long‑term roster management and strategic preparation, according to the announcement.
For those teams that did not make the partner program, PUBG Esports offers a pathway through the Challengers circuit:
“Teams with strong Regional Series performances will have opportunities to join PGS. The path to PGC remains open to all teams through PGS and Regional Series results.”
More details about the partnered teams for the 2026 PGS can be found in the announcement video. PGS is owned and operated by Korean games publisher KRAFTON.
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Loading comments...