The ALGS Championship will return to Sapporo, Japan, in 2026 and 2027, following EA’s announcement of the deal that was reached between the two parties.
ALGS Championship will remain in Sapporo for 2026 & 2027
The Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) will return to Japan for the next two World Championships, with EA and Respawn officially locking in Sapporo as the host city for the Year 5 and Year 6 LAN Finals. After a record-breaking Year 4 Championship in January 2025, which drew more than 34,000 attendees, the ALGS will once again light up the Daiwa House PREMIST DOME for their biggest event.
The multi-year agreement between EA and Sapporo was signed by EA’s Head of Esports, Monica Dinsmore, and Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto. The partnership reflects a growing commitment to in-person esports in the Asia-Pacific region and recognises Japan’s rapidly expanding role in the global competitive gaming ecosystem.
“Sapporo’s passion for esports made our return an easy decision,” said Dinsmore. “The energy and enthusiasm from fans and competitors alike set a new benchmark for the ALGS experience.”
Championship dates confirmed
The Year 5 ALGS Championship will be held from January 15–18, 2026, while the Year 6 Championship is slated for Winter 2027 at the same venue.
40 of the world’s top Apex Legends teams will compete in Sapporo in 2026. Qualification is already underway through the ALGS regular season, where teams earn Championship Points across regional Pro League splits and global events.
The top 24 teams on the Championship Points leaderboard will automatically qualify. Additional spots will be awarded to:
- The top 2 teams from each region’s Pro League Split 2
- The top 2 teams from each region’s Last Chance Qualifier
Falcons & Alliance lead the race to Sapporo
Currently leading the pack are Team Falcons and Alliance, with 4,740 and 4,440 Championship Points, respectively. Both teams dominated their regional Pro Leagues and finished first and second at the ALGS Open 2025, establishing themselves as the early favourites for the Year 5 Championship.
Other top contenders include Gen.G Esports, Shopify Rebellion, 100 Thieves, Natus Vincere, NRG, Sentinels, Ninjas in Pyjamas, FURIA, Fnatic, and JD Gaming — all currently inside the Top 24.
The next major opportunity for teams to secure Championship Points will come at the Apex Legends Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 10–13, where $2 million in prize money and 3,000 Championship Points are on the line for the winner.
Sapporo: The new Apex Legends capital?
The decision to return to Japan mirrors how Counter-Strike fans once revered Katowice as the spiritual home of their scene.
Ticketing details for the Year 5 Championship will be announced soon, with fans across the globe eager to return to the electric atmosphere that made the 2025 finale a landmark in Apex Legends esports history.
With a proven venue, elite teams, and growing fan fervour, Sapporo is poised to become the new epicentre of Apex Legends on the world stage.
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