2026 Rainbow Six Majors: US & Japan

BLAST and Ubisoft renew Rainbow Six esports partnership
Image Credit: BLAST/Ubisoft

Esports event organizer BLAST and Ubisoft have prolonged their worldwide collaboration for the Rainbow Six Siege (R6) competitive gaming environment, lasting through the conclusion of the 2028/29 competitive season.

Ahead of the 2026 Six Invitational Grand Final, BLAST made an announcement at the start of this weekend, also disclosing the venues for the international Rainbow Six tournaments during the 2026/27 season. R6 Major competitions are scheduled for Salt Lake City in the United States and Japan, with Brazil set to host the Six Invitational 2027.

The initial Major competition for the upcoming season is set to occur from May 8th to May 17th, with the Japan Major happening in the middle of November. The Six Invitational 2027 will again be held in February.

This renewed agreement stems from a three-year partnership between the two entities. Over this period, BLAST organized tournaments in prominent global cities such as Montreal, Manchester, São Paulo, Copenhagen, and Munich, among others.

Specifically, Brazil is slated to host another Six Invitational, following the 2024 iteration which witnessed a completely sold-out venue and attracted more than 500,000 simultaneous spectators on the day of the finals.

Rainbow Six Competitive Play 2026 Season Unveils a Standardized Framework

The upcoming Rainbow Six season is poised to introduce significant alterations to the tournament schedule, with BLAST implementing a more efficient framework featuring harmonized formats and more straightforward routes to international competitions.

The fresh season is slated to commence with the Challenger Series during February and March, succeeded by the new April Season Kickoff, an event where teams can accumulate the initial Six Invitational Points for the season.

Furthermore, two Regional League phases are scheduled, running from June to July and from September to October, positioned around the two Global Majors. The Esports World Cup tournament is planned as a mid-season contest and will also grant a direct entry spot to the Six Invitational 2027.

In addition, the R6 competitive gaming framework will broaden its reach to encompass five worldwide regions with the launch of the CN League (CNL). This professional league, comprising 10 teams, will also be allocated qualification berths for international tournaments and will join the R6 Share program, qualifying for revenue distribution starting in 2027.

Robbie Douek, BLAST’s Chief Executive Officer, stated: “For the last three years, BLAST and Ubisoft have collaborated closely to enhance Rainbow Six competitive gaming globally, delivering memorable live events and fostering a more competitive and interconnected environment.

“Extending this partnership was a logical progression and conveys a distinctly positive message to devotees of BLAST Rainbow 6, as well as the broader competitive entertainment sector.”

The article detailing Rainbow Six Majors scheduled for the US and Japan in 2026 initially appeared on Esports Insider.