SWC2026 Changes Notice
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2026-04-22 05:10
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1. Player Selection Criteria (Reminder)
As previously announced, SWC2026 will prioritize the selection of top players based on their performance in the earlier season (Season 36), followed by top players from the most recent season (Season 37).
This method, which has been applied since SWC2025, aims to balance performance across seasons while reflecting the latest competitive trends. We hope Summoners preparing for SWC2026 keep this criterion in mind.
Regardless of the selection order, the bracket formation process remains the same as before, and further details will be provided in a future notice.
2. New SWC Rule
SWC will introduce a new rule starting in 2026.
Previously, players designated a pre-ban Monster per set, but could not pre-ban the same Monster in the following set.
However, starting this year, a new Stack Ban rule will be introduced, where pre-ban Monsters are accumulated throughout the match.
- For Bo5 Matches: In the first set, matches proceed without designating pre-ban Monsters. Starting from the second set, each player designates 1 pre-ban Monster. Monsters designated as pre-ban cannot be used until the entire match ends. Consequently, in a full Bo5 series, each player will be unable to use a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 pre-ban Monsters.
- For Bo7 (Grand Final of World Finals): Pre-ban Monsters are not designated in SET 1, SET 6, and SET 7. As with Bo5 matches, players will be unable to use a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 Pre-ban Monsters in a full series.
The new Stack Ban rule will be applied to all SWC matches, and the existing SWC Battle mode will be renamed Single Pre-ban mode. This new rule will be applied in the v.9.2.0 update at the end of April and will be available for everyone to play through World Arena Goodwill Battles.
For more details regarding the new rule, please check the video below.
[Watch the SWC2026 New Rule Guide Video]
3. ASIA-PACIFIC Regional Preliminaries Schedule Change
Starting from SWC2026, the ASIA-PACIFIC Regional Preliminaries will be held over one day for each group (Southeast Asia, Others in Asia, Japan, and Korea) to ensure more stable and efficient operations. While the match format remains a double elimination structure, the schedule for each group has been adjusted from two days to one day. The AMERICAS and EUROPE Regional Preliminaries will continue to be held over three days as usual. Detailed schedules will be provided in a future notice.
4. Penalty Clause for Match-Fixing and Intentional Losses
A new penalty clause regarding actions that undermine the fairness of match results has been added to the SWC2026 Rules.
If a player or a third party is found to have attempted to manipulate match outcomes or hindered normal operations by intentionally losing—such as repeatedly engaging in disadvantageous play—the player will be disqualified from the current tournament and forfeit all prize money.
Such penalties have been in effect since 2025. If identical or similar actions are repeated, additional sanctions may be applied, up to a permanent ban from participating in SWC. The operations team will continue to strive to ensure that all participants can compete in a fair environment.
Detailed rules can be found later on the SWC2026 brand page and application page.
Lastly, we would like to remind you once again of the host cities for SWC2026.
[Watch the SWC2026 Location Announcement Video]
The Regional Cups will be held in Hamburg, Toronto, and Bangkok, and the World Finals will be held in Seoul.
