Krafton mandates TPP for the PUBG Esports 2026 season

KRAFTON just blew up its regional PUBG esports structure and rebuilt it from scratch, and grassroots teams are the biggest winners of this overhaul.

PUBG EMEA and Americas get a structural overhaul

• KRAFTON is rolling out a new hybrid format for both the PUBG EMEA Championship and PUBG Americas Series starting March 2, 2026.
• Three distinct phases make up the new setup: Scrims and Cups, Playoffs, and Finals.
• Weekly Monday scrims are open to any organized team, giving grassroots squads a real shot at the big stage.
• Consistent performers climb from Cups to Playoffs, where they square off against elite invited organizations for a Finals spot.

The mandatory TPP switch is stirring things up

• KRAFTON is forcing all pro play into Third-Person Perspective, a move that's already drawing heat from the competitive crowd.
• Publisher's reasoning is that aligning the pro experience with casual players will supposedly bridge the gap between the two audiences.

Clutch Group takes the wheel in EMEA

• Stockholm-based Clutch Group is coming on as the official operator and broadcast partner for the EMEA region.
• The agency already runs Geoguessr's competitive circuit, and its PUBG mandate now stretches into marketing and content creation.
• Every PEC and PAS tournament gets a full broadcast treatment in 2026, except for the early weekly scrim days.

KRAFTON's 2026 global calendar is stacked

• Twelve PUBG Global Series events are confirmed for 2026, which is a record high for the franchise.
• PUBG Nations Cup returns in June, and the PUBG Global Championship lands in December.
• Twelve Global Partner Teams, including Natus Vincere, FaZe Clan, and Twisted Minds, get direct financial backing and guaranteed global circuit slots.