A huge announcement for the ALGS Championship.
EA have announced that the ALGS Championship will be returning to Sapporo for the next two years. The deal follows a record breaking ALGS Year 4 Championship, with both parties keen to reunite and bring the event back to Japan.
Todays announcement also confirms that the ALGS will be returning for Year 6. There has never been such an early confirmation of an ALGS year before. This news will shut down the persistent rumour that Year 5 will be the final year of competition. While we are obviously not getting full Year 6 details today, we do now know that the competition will return and culminate in Sapporo.
Sapporo to host the Year 5 and Year 6 ALGS Championship
While it might be initially surprising to see the ALGS hold the ALGS Championship in Sapporo again, the deal makes a lot of sense. Sapporo showed great enthusiasm for the event with the Mayor even making a visit. The event was hugely well attended, with more than 34,000 people walking through the doors across the five days.
The deal also gives some much appreciated clarity and stability for teams, players and fans. Location announcements being close to event dates has long been a criticism of the ALGS and now fans can begin to save up to travel to the event and book time off.
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When is the ALGS Year 5 and Year 6 Championship?
- ALGS Year 5 Championship: January 15 - 18, 2026
- ALGS Year 6 Championship: Winter 2027
EA's Head of Esports, Monica Dinsmore, praised the fans that attended the last ALGS Championship in Sapporo saying:
“The energy and passion that our fans in Sapporo bring to the ALGS is unmatched, as the Apex Legends ecosystem continues to grow, we remain deeply committed to delivering unforgettable live experiences that bring communities together and elevate our competitors on the world stage. We couldn’t think of a better place to host our ALGS Championship for the next two years."
ALGS Year 6 confirmed to be taking place
The rumour that ALGS Year 5 would be the final year of the circuit has been rumbling on since after the last ALGS Championship in Sapporo. The rumour was raised to prominence by former LG and NRG player Sweetdreams. He alluded to Year 6 being cancelled in his decision to retire. Understandably, this has resulted in some anxiety amongst ALGS fans that the circuit could be coming to a close.
Todays announcement puts that rumour to bed. No doubt some will speculate about the ALGS format, but we know that ALGS Year 6 is happening and competition will be building up to the third consecutive ALGS Championship to be held in Sapporo.
Signing a multi-year deal and announcing it is also a big statement about EA's commitment to Apex Legends Esports. When the news initially filtered out via Japanese the ALGS community responded extremely positively, with this news being welcomed enthusiastically by fans and players.
Teams will have the chance to book their spot in Sapporo when the ALGS Midseason Playoffs get underway. Action starts on July 10.
Stay tuned to esports.gg for full coverage of the ALGS and all things Apex Legends.
