Embark Launches $200K Global Circuit for THE FINALS Esports

Embark Studios is ramping up its esports efforts for THE FINALS with a new $200,000 global competitive circuit, culminating in a live championship at DreamHack Stockholm later this year.

The TGM26 Online Series, announced recently, will provide an open-entry route for players in the game’s 2026 competitive season, covering the Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions. This circuit will lead into The Grand Major 2026, set to take place in Stockholm from November 27-29.

This initiative builds on Embark’s inaugural live championship for the game and marks a significant step toward establishing THE FINALS as a structured global esports ecosystem rather than just a standalone event. Registration for the online series opened on April 16 on FACEIT.

According to the format laid out by Embark, teams of three can enter without prior qualification and will compete across four seasonal cycles in each region. Teams will accumulate points based on their performance, with leaderboard standings determining their path to the year-end championship.

Christian Aarsrud, executive producer at Embark Studios, noted, “What we saw from the first Major is that there’s real potential in competitive THE FINALS. With the Online Series, we’re starting to build a more structured path into that. It’s about making competitive play more accessible and giving more teams a clear way to reach the highest level of competition.”

The $200,000 prize pool for the season will be divided, with $50,000 allocated for the online series and $150,000 reserved for the finals in Stockholm.

The structure aims to balance accessibility with ongoing competitive play. Each regional cycle will kick off with an open-entry Swiss Stage, followed by a Top 16 phase known as The Promotion, and a broadcast Top 8 Show Day where teams vie for points and prize money.

Performance on the leaderboard across all four cycles will dictate qualification outcomes. Regional champions will receive direct invitations to The Grand Major 2026, while teams finishing second through fifth will enter closed qualifiers. Teams placing sixth through ninth will advance to open qualifiers with certain advantages.

The year-end event will feature 16 teams competing in a three-day live format with a revamped competitive structure. The first two days will consist of The Promotion, while the final day will showcase The Throne, a King-of-the-Hill championship round where five teams compete for three crowns.

Adam Apicella, senior vice president of esports at ESL FACEIT Group, remarked, “Embark is one of the most innovative publishers in gaming, and THE FINALS is a one-of-a-kind FPS with a dedicated cult following. Last year’s crowd of over 1,000 in Stockholm demonstrated the passion of the fans on Embark’s home turf. We’re excited to help grow this ecosystem, providing a grassroots path for players to go from the couch to the main stage.”

In its debut season, more than 1,600 teams competed globally. The 2026 campaign is set to kick off in May, with the APAC segment of the circuit starting on May 30.

The online series will be hosted on FACEIT, further enhancing ESL FACEIT Group’s role in the competitive framework surrounding the title, while DreamHack Stockholm will again be the venue for the live championship.